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Miscalculated Risk

1968 , Sizewell (Suffolk)

Cat no. 2096

A health and safety film presenting a series of avoidable accidents at Sizewell Power Station

A warning siren sounds, as the film title gradually come into focus against a yellow and black 'warning' background. Two young children play Snakes and Ladders, whilst the narrator explains how this is a game of chance. Cut to adults playing blackjack, also a game of chance but one that is tempered by the 'calculated risk' of knowing the cards in your hand. Two cars on a narrow country road, one (reg. MPU 458C) attempting to overtake the other. The narrator explains how the driver doesn't know the probability of a car coming the other way. The danger of this is illustrated as the second car halfway up a grass verge with its doors open. A shot of scaffolding at Sizewell. A worker operating a pulley dislodges a brick, which narrowly avoids hitting a colleague working below. 'Sometimes luck will hold' says the narrator. The viewer then sees what happens when it doesn't: an East Suffolk ambulance (reg. DBJ 442C) drives through the grounds of the plant, guided by a security guard. Risks illustrating the need to follow safety procedures: a workman attempts to climb a ladder unaided, and ends up falling underneath it; a man operates machinery without goggles (under a 'protect your eyes' poster) and clutches his eye in pain; a scientist in a lab uses a faulty plug in an experiment and receives an electric shock; a man using power tools above head height again ends up with a damaged eye; and two men leave a manhole uncovered, resulting in an unsuspecting meter-reader falling to his doom. Each scenario ends with the narrator intoning: 'Hold it! Think! Was it really worth the risk?' Shot of a police car driving to a suburban house. The officer informs a shocked mother and child of an accident, sirens begin again and after a list of acknowledgement the film ends.

Featured Buildings

Sizewell Power Station

Keywords

Accidents; Emergency services; Health and Safety; Nuclear power stations; Risk

Intertitles

Thanks are due to East Suffolk Police and Ambulance services The Central Electricity Generating Board The Staff at Sizewell Power Station Without whose help and cooperation this film could not have been made.

  • Camera : Norman Hill

  • Producer : Norman Hill

  • Director : Barry Skelcher

  • Commentator : Barry Skelcher

  • Sponsor : Central Electricity Generating Board

Manifestations

Miscalculated Risk

  • Award:
    • Group 1:
      • Note: Awards (data migration 25/06/2021): Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) Safety Award

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