ANSI B11.0-2023 Task Zones: When They Fall Short in Film and Television Production

ANSI B11.0-2023 defines a task zone in section 3.132.3 as "any predetermined space within or around a machine(s) in which personnel can perform work." The informative note clarifies that task zones serve as an interim step when full zone determination processes don't fully apply or fall short. This makes sense in stable industrial settings, but film and television production introduces chaos that static definitions can't handle.

The Core Definition and Industrial Intent

In manufacturing plants I've audited across California, task zones shine. They're mapped out during machine design and risk assessments per ANSI B11.0, aligning with OSHA 1910.147 for lockout/tagout and 1910.212 for general machine guarding. Workers enter these zones only after safeguards are verified—think e-stops, light curtains, or interlocks. It's predictable: a welder's zone around a CNC mill stays constant shift after shift.

But "predetermined" implies fixed boundaries. Film sets? Not so much.

Why Film and TV Production Exposes ANSI B11.0 Gaps

Film and television rigs are temporary beasts—cranes swinging cameras, pyrotechnics near actors, drones buzzing props. Task zones crumble here because:

• Dynamic reconfiguration: Sets rebuild hourly. A "machine" like a stunt rig or lighting truss shifts positions, invalidating predetermined zones before assessments finish.
• Human elements override: Directors demand proximity for shots—actors in harm's way aren't "personnel performing work" under industrial norms. The informative note hints at interim use, but rapid cuts between takes leave no time for zone redraws.
• Hybrid risks: Props mimic machinery (e.g., animatronics), blending entertainment with real hazards. ANSI B11.0 assumes new, installed machinery; film gear is often rented, modified on-site.

OSHA's 2021 entertainment industry guidance (STD 03-11-001) nods to this, prioritizing job hazard analyses over rigid zones. I've consulted on Hollywood lots where ANSI fell short—once, a grip nearly tangled in a jib arm because zones didn't account for performer movement.

Real-World Examples from Set Safety Audits

Picture a night shoot: Arri crane as the "machine," operators in a 10-foot task zone. But the DP creeps in for focus pulls, talent dances nearby. Predetermined? Laughable. We adapted with real-time hazard ID checklists, not static zones.

Another: Prop robots on The Mandalorian-style sets. ANSI B11.0's zone logic assumes controlled access; here, it's performative chaos. Research from the Entertainment Safety Director's Association shows 40% of incidents stem from unguarded motion—zones alone miss the mark.

Bridging the Gap: Practical Alternatives

When ANSI B11.0 task zones don't cut it, layer on these:

1. Dynamic JHA: Per OSHA 1910.132, conduct pre-shot hazard analyses with crew input. Mark zones with tape, but update per take.
2. Proximity tech: Wearables like RFID badges trigger alarms if actors enter red zones—beyond ANSI's paper plans.
3. Training fusion: Blend ANSI principles with ANSI A10.44 for entertainment rigging. I've trained teams to "zone-flex," treating task areas as fluid bubbles.

Limitations exist: Tech adds cost, and human error persists. Based on NIOSH data, customized protocols cut incidents 25-30%, but always verify site-specifically.

Next Steps for Compliant Shoots

Dig into ANSI B11.0-2023 full text via ANSI's store. Cross-reference with MPIIA guidelines. For enterprises juggling industrial and creative ops, audit your setups—we've seen hybrid models thrive by evolving beyond rigid task zones.

Stay sharp: Safety isn't scripted.