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Question:

what are the rules and regulations for a photo studio? uk?

Hi I have the chance to have a small premises at a garden center I would be allowed to advertise and was thinking of having a small studio thereI already have 2 home studio lights interfit background support and 3 backdrops I would be aiming to photography babies and childrendoes any one know what health and safety regulations i have to follow, what insurances is neededI already have equipment cover including my computer public liability and public indemnitydoes all equipment like the lights and backdrop have to be secured?do i have to have a credit card payment machine? basically i want to know every thingAndrea

Answer:

You single then? My wife loves football, well I say 'loves football' but she is a Rangers fan so it's a contradiction in terms. We watch all competitions together though. Get yourself a new wife for The World Cup.
Disabled access. Public liability Insurance. Possibly a toilet and wash basin which should also be adapted for the disabled. Tea/coffee facilities. Certificate to say that you are allowed to carry out a business on the premises. (?) Certificate from from an electrician to say that the electricity supply is safe. Fire escape. Fire extinguishers. Certificate from the Fire brigade. Thats a start for you.
You would need the lighting equipment PAT tested (all 'portable' electrical equipment is required to be tested, this means everything that has a plug attached). This need to be done by a qualified electrician. You'd need public liability insurance (I would imagine the Garden Centre would require this of you as part of the lease). Disability access would need to be ensured. In terms of toilets, wash hand basins, I would imagine that the Garden Centre have facilities for public use of these on the premises, you would not need to provide these as you are not providing refreshments - this is in effect a non-food retail/service use. You'd best be advised to do a risk assessment of the procedure so that any risks/hazards are identified and removed/minimised. This should be clearly documented and reviewed regularly. You have a duty of care under the Health Safety at Work Act 1974 to protect the 'health, safety welfare' of members of the public and a RA is a way of showing how you have done that. You would also need to ensure compliance with RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) if anyone is injured on your premises. Have an accident book document any accidents/near misses. When you do you risk assessment you would need to cover things like trip hazards, risk of electrical shock, falling light stands etc etc to ensure that its all covered. I would recommend visiting the Local Council where you live asking to speak to the Environmental Health Office in Health and Safety. They would be the enforcing Authority for Health Safety matters. They can probably give you some advisory leaflets. In terms of payment, a credit card machine would be more secure and convenient. It will cost money from the card issuers though. You don't HAVE to have one, but many people would prefer the convenience of paying that way. IF you handle cash/cheques, there is more of a risk of loss.

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