Problem:
During the autumn months, people consider celebrating Bonfire Night, traditionally, on or near 5th November, by igniting bonfires and lighting fireworks. Such activities are hazardous and offer considerable risk to both people and property. They can also be considered damaging to the environment. This document has been written in the interests of public safety to provide advice to people considering planning an event containing fireworks or a bonfire.
Advice:
Bonfires:
Do not locate a bonfire within 15 metres (50 feet) of buildings, roads, railways or other public rights of way. Keep the fire a safe distance from any flammable or dangerous materials (e.g. petrol, fuel oil or LPG). Avoid overhead electric power lines and locate the fire down wind of any spectators. Make sure the area around the bonfire is free from dry grass or bushes.
Care should be taken when lighting the bonfire. Do not use petrol or paraffin to light the fire. Use paper and solid firelighters in a number of places within the bonfire to ensure an even burn of all the materials. Make sure that there are no children or animals hiding within the bonfire prior to ignition. Do not burn dangerous rubbish (such as foam –filled furniture, TV’s, rubber, aerosols, tins of paint, oil, pressurised gas cylinders, tyres and bottles) on the bonfire, as this can lead to risks to health and damage the environment. Cardboard and materials, which create light ash, which can blow about in the wind, are not suitable fuel for a fire. Dispose of rubbish safely. Never burn discarded fireworks on a bonfire. You may consider the use of fire marshalls, damping down timber clad buildings and an area of grass immediately surrounding the bonfire. Plan, that when it is safe, to remove all the debris of the fire from the site.
At the end of the event, ensure that the embers of the fire are extinguished, before leaving the event site. Erect a fence or barrier about the bonfire to prevent people being injured by hazardous hot embers.
Fireworks:
When considering a firework display, a number of issues need to be considered a few points are listed below: -
The Event Organizer is a person who accepts ultimate responsibility for the safe running of the event and who must decide whether the individual assigned to discharge fireworks is competent to use fireworks. There is no prescribed definition of the term competence.
Fireworks are dangerous and should only be handled and discharged by a competent person.
The site layout for a fireworks event including an aerial display should consist of a number of secure and separate areas namely the Spectator Area, a Safety Area (including the Firing Zone) and a Fallout Area or Dropping Zone. The public and stewards should be kept out of both the Safety and Fallout Areas. The Firing Area (from which the fireworks should be discharged) must be a minimum of 50 metres from the Spectator Area and the Fallout Area should be adjacent to the Firing Area and as far away from the spectator area as possible. Sizes of the various areas will depend on the event location.
Firing a test flare prior to the event, will ensure that the wind direction and speed is appropriate to allow aerial fireworks to fall safely within the fallout zone. Plan to abandon the display or not use aerial displays if the test fails. A litter pick may be required after the event to remove fallout debris from the area.
Ensure appropriate insurance cover is arranged to protect against Employee Liability, Public Liability and Product Liability during the event.
Provide suitable first aid facilities in case of injury.
Advise the Local Authority, Emergency Services, local A&E Hospital, the Airport, the Landowner and neighbours of the date, timing and expected duration of the fireworks display.
Provide a suitable, continuous metal spectator barrier between spectators and the safety area.
Importing fireworks by third parties should be rigorously prohibited.
Provide lighting to illuminate the exit routes from the event site.
As with any public event, a number of additional issues need to be considered:
A written document should be produced including a risk assessment considering all hazards and risks appertaining to the site and the proposed event (evaluate all risks and decide what action needs to be taken to prevent injury) and provide details of all contingency plans and evacuation procedures. Consider the procedures for an incident in any part of, or outside the venue, before, during and after the display. Discuss the implications of postponement or cancellation of the firework display.
The document should also provide details of the management structure and stewarding for the event together with the health and safety policy, structural calculations and details for any temporary structures (including large tents, stages, seating systems, etc) and all necessary certification.
Sufficient suitably trained, equipped, experienced and competent stewards will be required throughout the event, to ensure crowd safety management and to protect both the public and people working at the event from all hazards and risks. All stewards must be clearly identifiable by suitable clothing.
An area must be used as the Event HQ, for accommodation for the Event Organiser, Chief Steward and the Safety Co-ordinator. A mobile telephone should be available to call the emergency services.
Accommodation should be available as the First Aid Post; the First Aid staff must be in possession of the St. John Ambulance Certificate or qualified by a similar organisation.
Any temporary electrical supply must comply with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the IEE Regulations (16th Edition, 2nd Amendment), have RCD protection and an adequate earth.
All power and sound cables must be covered by rubber cable protectors or buried to prevent trip hazards and avoid tampering with the cables.
If LPG gas burners are to be used on site, take great care and follow the advice contained within LPG Association Technical Memorandum No. 56.
A selection of appropriate types of fire extinguisher should be available about the event site.
Remember:
- Avoid anti-social behaviour, act as a responsible citizen, take care of the young, elderly & animals.
- Only use fireworks safely. Make sure Fireworks are only bought in boxes & Follow the Firework Code!
- It is illegal to supply fireworks to people under 18 years of age, young people need parental guidance or the assistance of an adult to discharge domestic fire works.
References:
- Working together on firework displays (A guide to safety for firework display organisers and operators). HSE Books, ISBN 0 7176 0835 2.
- Giving your own firework display (How to run and fire it safely). HSE Books, ISBN 0 7176 0836 0.
- Fireworks need handling with care (A guide to organising firework displays). DTI pamphlet.
- Fireworks at home need handling with care. DTI pamphlet.
5 steps to risk assessment (A step by step guide to a safer and healthier workplace). HSE IND(G)163L. - Managing crowds safely HSE HS(G) 154.
