PERG Releases Safe Return to Work Guidelines

A message from Harry Box, manager of the ESTA Production Equipment Rental Group (PERG):

"PERG is pleased to announce the release of version 2.0 of the PERG Safe Return to Work Guidelines, Precautions for Preventing Transmission of COVID-19 for Camera and Lighting Rental Operations, Sound Stages, and Production Vehicles.

"The document has now completed its public review cycle. The task group received feedback from all parts of the industry, rental companies, IATSE, and production. We are grateful for the thoughtfulness and concern of all who provided feedback.

"COVID safety presents a serious challenge for productions. We'll all need to work together to see this succeed in practice. If productions can meet this challenge with appropriate measures now, we can avert paying an even greater toll. PERG members have the health and safety of productions at heart, as well as that of our own employees.

"This guidance document recommends measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus for camera and lighting equipment rental operations, facilities that rent sound stages, and for trucks and vehicles used by rental companies. The PERG Task Group applied the recommendations of the CDC, OSHA, and public health officials to rental operations, equipment, and facilities. The objective of this document is to proactively provide the rental industry a unified set of guidelines to address the challenge of reopening safely.

"PERG is grateful for the dedication and expertise of the members of our Safe Return Task Group. Many great companies contributed to the process: Abel Cine, ARRI Inc., ARRI Rental, Camtec, Cinelease, Cinequipt, Keslow Camera, Illumination Dynamics, High Output, Insight Equipment, LiteGear, MBS, MP&E Cameras and Lighting, MPS Studios, PC&E, Panavision, Quixote Studios, Taylor & Taylor, TCS, William F. White International, as well as the many manufactures who contributed information about cleaning and disinfecting products. PERG salutes all who participated."