Bonfire Night
Remember, remember, the 5th November? Well if companies fail to follow guidelines for their annual company firework display it may well be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Shropshire solicitors Lanyon Bowdler are warning firms to make sure this year’s display is remembered for all the right reasons.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, any company holding a non-domestic fireworks display, whether it’s a small event at a local pub or a corporate event, has a ‘duty of care’ to both employees and anyone ‘affected by’ the event. Those affected can include spectators, nearby residents and the general public, and you must comply with the Fireworks Act 2003 and the Fireworks Regulations 2004.
Jo Griffiths, Health & Safety Consultant at Lanyon Bowdler comments, “Employers should be aware that a fireworks display involving staff is classed as a work activity and is therefore covered by the Health & Safety at Work Act and subsidiary legislation. This places duties on the employer in respect of the health and safety of everyone involved in arranging and giving the display, as well as any spectators and other individuals who are near the display site.”
Jo goes on to say, “Every year there are a large number of preventable accidents and you need to take all possible steps to minimise these and ensure the safety of your employees. If you are holding a firework display this year I would recommend the following advice, and hope that your evening is memorable for all the right reasons.”
• A competent and professional display organiser and operator should be hired if you are in any doubt about the legislative requirements, or ability to set up and operate a display.
• A risk assessment needs to be undertaken to identify all risks associated with firework displays and bonfires.
• Inform the local police, fire brigade, local enforcing authority and residents about the display.
• Define and control where the fireworks are going to be set off.
• Check the site in daylight to ensure that there are no obstructions such as buildings, overhead cables and overhanging trees.
• Provide adequate fire fighting facilities and ensure that there are stewards trained in their use.
• Have at least one suitably equipped first aid point, manned by a fully qualified first aider.
• Use only fireworks that are classified to British Standard BS7114:1988 and store them in a secure, dry place with no possible sources of ignition.
• Make contingency plans for any possible unplanned events (e.g. ignition of fireworks, disorderly spectator behaviour, or the bonfire getting out of control).
• Prohibit spectators from bringing their own fireworks to the display.