The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed the environment of how films are produced. In turn, this required the industry to navigate new safety measures in order to keep delivering shows and movies to audiences around the world.
Throughout the spikes during the pandemic and even today, health and safety managers (HSMs) are working tirelessly behind the scenes, conducting daily and/or weekly on-set COVID-19 testing for the talent and crew members to ensure the ongoing health of the team. Actors, cameramen, hair and make-up artists, costume designers, set builders and decorators, cinematographers and sound producers are all usually in close physical proximity to one another on a set, so keeping the entire team free of COVID-19 can be a difficult task.
Keep reading to learn about concierge testing from Innovative Health Diagnostics (IHD) and how the company’s HSMs are working around-the-clock to ensure the show goes on safely.
What is a Health and Safety Management System?
A Health and Safety Manager’s (HSM) role varies by industry, but generally includes identifying, managing and controlling health and safety risks in the workplace through practicing proper policies, procedures and tools. Especially during COVID-19, HSMs are necessary to creative industries such as entertainment and film, as well as many other industries that may not be able to operate remotely.
IHD employs several HSMs who are responsible for maintaining protection from COVID-19 by routine COVID-19 testing protocols. For the film industry in particular, HSMs have played a critical role to keep television and movies alive throughout the pandemic - when at-home viewership skyrocketed as billions of people remained in their homes.
COVID-19 Testing in Hollywood: How HSMs Are Making It Happen
Through a complicated process of navigating call times, production changes and talent schedules, HSMs orchestrate an in-depth testing system that provides the cast and crew with accurate results in a short period of time.
Sets typically require HSMs to be on call 24/7 for COVID-19 testing needs. Often, they receive last-minute calls after production wraps – sometimes in the middle of the night – to have someone available for testing to prepare for a 5 a.m. call time.
From there, HSMs are on set, adhering to local safety guidelines, administering the tests and getting them to the laboratory for timely and accurate test results.
Without proper protocols and reliable and diligent HSMs on board, sets are at risk of widespread infection and reinfection, leading to extreme production delays. HSMs are responsible for making sure this doesn’t happen. Frequent routine COVID-19 testing on set is used to monitor for the health and safety of the cast and crew and all workers. The same goes for tape or live shows with studio audiences that also need to be tested, as well as for major Hollywood awards shows -- all of which IHD has experience with throughout the pandemic.
Concierge COVID-19 Testing with IHD
HSMs are responsible for making sure testing services are done in a timely and organized manner, and IHD is always there to assist in the moment. The IHD concierge services team is on the road with you when you’re trying to make that 3 a.m. call time. IHD’s concierge service has the capability to provide COVID-19 testing, collect samples and provide results, often testing crews upwards of 400 people within a 4-hour time period.
IHD has helped film, TV and national awards shows stay on track with production by providing the necessary testing to keep everyone safe. From New York to California, and everywhere in between, IHD serves the entertainment industry by aiding in safety management practices.
To date, IHD has processed over 500K COVID-19 PCR tests for film and television production companies, schools and universities, corporate offices and clinics.
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