When Spider-Man came to Glasgow — Friendly neighbourhood advice on workplace safety

Last week Scots were treated to a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the filming of the latest Marvel blockbuster Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

With Glasgow city centre modified to look like New York City, videos were shared across social media of explosions, flipped vehicles, car chases and an incredible stunt appearing to show our favourite web-slinger suspended from wires nearly 10 metres in the air, swinging side-to-side on a scaffold that was moving at speed.

Genuinely incredible stuff to watch – and let’s be honest, it’s good to know that in the day of modern green screen cinema that there’s still some good old fashioned stunts going on. 

Yet beneath the entertainment lies an intricate dance of risk management, teamwork and unwavering attention to safety - lessons that extend well beyond the film industry.

Movie sets, particularly those involving action sequences, are inherently hazardous environments. During the Glasgow shoot, these stunts involved real people – not just Tom or his stunt double but camera operators, riggers, special effects coordinators, lighting specialists and ground personnel all working in harmony.

For each blockbuster snippet there was no doubt meticulous planning and safety protocols.

Before Spidey’s web-slinging antics could light up Glasgow’s skyline one would expect location scouts, safety officers and stunt coordinators to comb every site to anticipate dangers: uneven pavements, changes in weather, vehicle traffic and the unpredictable nature of urban crowds.

Risk assessments would have been conducted, emergency plans drafted, and every member of the crew briefed extensively. This process mirrors best practices in any workplace, where a proactive approach to hazard recognition can mean the difference between routine work and a real disaster involving serious injury.

It’s just like any task in any workplace.

Before moving boxes in a factory a risk assessment should consider the location of the boxes, the weight of the cargo, is the box in carrying condition and is there special equipment needed? 

Before offloading a lorry at a construction site is the road clear, are staff wearing hard hats etc, is there a need to close the road temporarily, is there a clear, flat area to manoeuvre the goods?

Scotland’s weather is often at the centre of risk assessments due to rain, wind, natural light and even the cold impacting tasks. Peter Parker may not get far in thermal gloves but many outdoor workers may need them.

If even Spider-Man’s crime-fighting work at height needs to have been risk assessed and supported by appropriate safety precautions and protective equipment, so does everyone else’s which might end in a fall, whether from the back of a lorry or a penthouse roof.

Adaptability is crucial in any workplace. Plans are important, but so is the ability to pause, reassess and change course when conditions demand it. The discipline to say “not now” or “let’s redo the briefing” is a hallmark of a mature safety culture, prioritising well-being over deadlines.

In reflecting on the filming of Spider-Man in Glasgow people can hopefully see workplace safety is not a checklist but a dynamic, collective effort.

The movie’s spectacle was only possible because a web of trust, preparation, and shared responsibility kept everyone—cast, crew, and bystanders—out of harm’s way.

Industries far from the glamour of Hollywood can learn from this example.

Whether constructing a building or managing a small office, the principles remain the same: anticipate risks, communicate openly, train thoroughly, invest in quality equipment, and adapt to the unexpected.

Employers have a great power and that is equalled by a great responsibility to keep staff safe!

David Bell is a senior associate at Irwin Mitchell Scotland LLP, involved in personal injury claims including employment-related accidents and industrial disease.