Posted By Ron Hunter The BBC used to have some useful H&S stuff on their public website. Similar issues with OB dramas. Not much help I know, but there may be something there for you?

Posted By Bryan Goldsmith 16052 - Is this a case of sending Health and Safety back to the dark ages or will you be seen as a 'knight in shining armour' -

Posted By MP Grayson Have you "GOOGLEd" the sealed knot etc (English civil war) and asked them if they would share info. (Forge fires etc). Also try the HSE for info on Blacksmiths. There is also a company somewhere out there that does Napoleonic war re-enactments. Complete with camps etc. Cannot remember the name, but they do shows at Belvoir castle near Grantham. HSE may help with horse riding stuff. I tried to avoid any puns as I don't want to cross swords with you. Crack on with the show and good luck.

Posted By Tim Corbett James The organisation I belong to has taken an approach very simular to a Health and Plan like that produced under CDM. Treating each activity as a sub contractor with each supplying realevent HS info into the plan. We also use the basics of HS with weapons. With each person having to show competence to be able use that weapon i.e. Training, experience and qualification. This covers swords, muskets and pikes. http://www.nares.org.uk/ is a good place to gain information. As to safe distances again just apply good HS basics distance from a fire to public? 2m or there abouts, the hardest thing is trying to convince the public that we are using a real fire and yes it gets hot!! Your blacksmith may need to check with his / her insurance people (the people who keep us all employed) what they will need for him to have in place to demostrate to the public. If you have contacts with other groups see what they have produced. Just remember to still have fun

Posted By Tabs I have been doing Dark Age re-enactment for 15 years now, and resisted being pulled into the H&S stuff too much. I give support and advice when asked though. NAReS is a good start because they are the focal point of a lot of good experience. The HSWA74 does not apply, correct - but it is good practice to follow that and a selection of the regs made under it. Some of them are very helpful afterall. No society is after hurting its members or visitors. Insurers like it too. It also gives you common ground with LA's when they visit. It is difficult to balance safe distance against being close enough to see, and safety against realism / anachronism. Some metals are fiery when struck, others not. Most smiths will know the difference. 2m sounds reasonable - but you have to be flexible to suit the situation, the environment, and the crowd levels (escape/dodging sparks?). Having all fires and all crafts attended by responsible people is the best start - preferably someone not involved in the craft. They should be looking in particular for visitors wearing fabrics that do not mix well with fire - nylons, rayon, etc - children and adults alike need to be kept away from open fires if they appear to be wearing synthetics. Anywhere you have a fire, have enough water to douse it. Blunted swords are props, not weapons. We all call them weapons, but that is bad practice - we should make the distinction. I will pass your email to our H&S guy and see if he is willing to let you have a gander at his work (which is quite good). Nice to see a few fellow re-enactors here :-) We may even cross swords some day at a multi-period (bring back Kirby Hall).

Posted By garyh I used to be involved in Medieval Re-enactment every day; it was 25 years ago on a chemical plant...........sigh.........those were the days. Cheap PVC suit, cheap PVC gloves taped up to get a seal............useless RPE, being sprayed with Nitric acid, breathing toxic gases.........great times.

Posted By James Askins That would be greatly appreciated! Many thanks James

Posted By Tabs James, details forwarded to our H&S man. Regarding stunt man level, we (The Vike) have done a lot of film work and TV. Sometimes we get stunt man salary, sometimes just 'extra' rates. I have done films and our safety levels exceeded the film company's really. Their own stunt men rely more on fitness than finesse. (My claim to fame was teaching Ainsley Harriet to sword fight for Food and Drink. I got to kick him a bit lol)