2 Introduction to Safety Considerations
Special care must be taken when using lamps – especially tungsten lamps which generate considerable heat. Typically, 80% of the power used by a tungsten lamp will be given off as heat.Normally these lamps are safe, but if the ‘bubble’ (the industry term for the bulb) does explode it is extremely dangerous. Therefore, always use a safety glass or safety wire in front of the element to stop the glass shards escaping. You should avoid moving a lamp while it is still hot as this is when it is most susceptible to explode.
Always wear heatproof gloves if you need to change a bubble or handle the lamp housing – or just wait for it to cool down. You should also be especially careful with any lamp on a stand or fixing. Ensure that it is secured if attached to a fixing, or that it cannot be knocked over if mounted to a stand. If lights are mounted on a tripod stand always ensure that one leg is pointed towards your subject so that should it be inadvertently knocked over it will fall away from the subject.
Trailing cables should be routed safely and, where necessary, secured with gaffer tape or other cable protection systems. Lamps are usually the highest power-rated items that a videographer will use. It is important that power sockets and extension leads are not overloaded and that coiled extension leads are unwound fully to avoid over-heating caused by the ‘coil effect’. Some lamps will draw more power than can be supplied by a domestic circuit, so if there is ineffectual circuit protection there will be a risk of fire.