Firework Safety Information and Guidance...Continued

The Firework Regulations 2004

These Regulations include provisions relating to:

  • the prohibition of the possession of fireworks in public places by those under 18;
  • limitations on the times in the year during which fireworks may be supplied by unlicensed suppliers;
  • the control of the supply of certain types of excessively loud fireworks;
  • limitation on the use of fireworks during night hours.

Firework Displays

Competent Display Operators.

What is meant by a ‘competent display operator’?

A display operator should have sufficient knowledge, training and experience to set up and fire the fireworks and clear them up after firing in a way that ensures the health and safety of the operator, the operator’s employees and other people at, or affected by, the display.Competence will normally be achieved through a combination of theoretical training (for example a ‘classroom’-based training course), and practical ‘on the job’ training gained from planning, setting up and firing displays. It is not expected that satisfactory competence could be obtained without this practical training.

A competent display operator will: understand:
  • the characteristics and proper use of the various types of fireworks, including debris patterns and fall-out distances;
  • the principles and practice of ignition systems;
  • the principles of carrying out a risk assessment;
  • he principles and practice of setting up, firing and clearing up the fireworks both in relation to operator safety and the safety of others;
  • and the requirements of health and safety legislation which apply to the activities of a firework display operator and firework displays;

Working together on firework displays

To be trained in;

  • setting up, firing and clearing up fireworks, either by a competent display operator or as part of a training course;
  • have practical experience in:
  • setting up, firing and clearing up fireworks under the supervision of a competent display operator;
  • ensure:
  • that people forming part of a firing team who do not have knowledge, training or experience are directly supervised by an experienced team member.

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Some display operators only use fireworks on sale to the general public which comply with BS 7114 Part 2: 1988, but more typically their displays will also include fireworks which are incomplete and/or not intended for sale to the general public (BS 7114 category 4). Not all display operators claim competence in using category 4 fireworks. It is very important that the operator should be competent for the fireworks to be used at your display. You should also be aware that the supply of fireworks is controlled by the Firework (Safety) Regulations 19974 and that certain types of fireworks, including some subject to BS 7114, may only be supplied to professional display operators.

General legal considerations

Most displays covered by this publication will involve a work activity (i.e. at least one person will be involved on a professional basis) and therefore be subject to the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 197410 and subsidiary health and safety legislation. This legislation imposes duties in respect of the health and safety of everyone involved in arranging and giving the display, the display spectators, and other people in the neighbourhood of the display site.

You can only discharge these duties effectively if there is one person having overall responsibility for health and safety at the display. That person will usually be one of the organisers, and will be responsible for implementing a system for the management of health and safety to ensure the organisers, display operator and any other people working at the display, for example a catering firm, comply with their duties under health and safety legislation. In most cases, however, none of the organisers will be experts in setting up and firing fireworks and you are therefore advised to appoint a display operator to assist you with firework safety matters.Have a formal contract which defines the extent of responsibility of yourselves and the operator.

Procedures

Start organising the firework display as early as possible to ensure everything gets done. It is recommended that you form an organising team to share the workload, with one member in a co-ordinating role. For example, one person could be responsible for liaising with the display operator, local authority, fire service etc, another person for site facilities and crowd safety, and so on.

Working together on firework displays

Risk assessment

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the health and safety risks to which their employees are exposed while at work, and the health and safety risks to other people resulting from or in connection with the employers’ work





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