COVID-19 Update: PERG Task Group to Address Safe Return to Work

Professional camera and lighting rental companies have come together to collaborate in creating guidance documents for safely resuming rentals to the film/television/commercial production community in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The task group was assembled by the Production Equipment Rental Group (PERG) (part of the international entertainment trade association ESTA), whose membership includes leading rental houses and manufacturers throughout North America and beyond. The objective is to provide a unified set of industry-wide guidelines that address health and safety challenges related to the rental of production equipment and ensure that any risks to production companies, studios, and customers are minimized.

The task group is working with other industry groups to ensure that PERG's recommendations address client needs and concerns and harmonize with safety protocols developed by the studios and others, while also adhering to the recommendations of the CDC, OSHA, and state, and local health departments. The group recognizes the challenges of providing protection against contagion for cast and crew on set. PERG aims to alleviate at least part of that challenge by giving productions full confidence in their equipment partners.

ESTA, the Entertainment Services and Technology Association, is a non-profit trade association based in North America with members around the world. ESTA's members are responsible for creating some of the most important programs in our industry including the Technical Standards Program, Entertainment Technician Certification Program, and Rental Guard.