Health and Safety for Recording Sessions during Covid-19

You must make sure that you take adequate steps to review any relevant guidance and come to a sensible decision based on your own enquiries.

The MU’s advice is for general guidance only and does not represent any instruction, encouragement or advice to return to or begin work. The MU can accept no liability for the consequences of your decision including any illness or other adverse impact.

Here are some key points you may wish to consider when working or being engaged to work in a studio.

Health & Safety Risk Assessment that includes the risk of Covid-19

Venues should complete a risk assessment. They should also consider reasonable adjustments needed for musicians with disabilities. The risk assessment should be shared with musicians and kept up to date.

A copy of the risk assessment relating to the proposed recording session can be requested by you in advance, giving you enough time to read and understand it, and be comfortable that the level of risk of Covid-19 infection has been sufficiently minimised.

Adequate ventilation

Will there be a supply of fresh air to indoor spaces where there are people present? This can be natural ventilation through opening windows, doors and vents, mechanical ventilation using fans and ducts, or a combination of both. The venue should identify any poorly ventilated spaces in their premises and take steps to improve fresh air flow in these areas.

Hygiene and cleaning

You may wish to request information about the cleaning regime in place at the studio, to help prevent the potential spread of Covid-19 from contact with surfaces and equipment. The Government have provided guidance on the level of workplace cleanliness required to minimise the potential risk of infection.

You should clean your hands on arrival at the studio, either with hand sanitiser or soap and water depending on what has been provided for you, and try to clean them as regularly as arrangements will allow during the day. It is advisable to bring your own hand sanitiser with you in order to ensure schedules are not unduly disrupted.

Music instruments should be cleaned regularly using your usual cleaning method and should not be shared with anyone else where possible.

Where you are required to share a music stand, only one player on the desk should turn pages and do any required mark-up.

Covid-19 symptoms

You should follow the NHS guidance on when to self-isolate and what to do, if you or a close contact has had a positive Covid-19 result.

Social distancing

Covid-19 can still be spread through social contact. A venue can mitigate this risk by reducing the number of people you come into contact with.

Some examples of mitigating risk in relation to social distancing may include:

• Setting maximum capacities for studios and workspaces.
• Changes to the studio layout.
• Social distancing between workstations.

Everyone has a right to work in an environment where they feel safe. If, having read the above, you do not feel safe to undertake the recording session, or you have any questions, please contact our Recording & Broadcasting department to discuss your concerns by emailing rb@theMU.org or calling 0207 840 5559