Make sure that your Bonfire Night festivities are remembered for … · 2012-08-30 · Make sure...
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Scouting October/November 2011 20 1 2 3 4 5 FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS Make sure that your Bonfire Night festivities are remembered for all the right reasons, by following five easy steps to fireworks success A t this time of year you may be thinking about your fireworks display. Opening it up to the public can make the event more fun, involve the community and provide a great fundraising opportunity. However, the mix of fires, fireworks and crowds of people can result in injury or property damage. There are five areas to look at: Event planning Don’t leave risk management until the day of your fireworks display. It should be a central part of your planning. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published essential guidance. If you can’t comply with HSE recommendations, you shouldn’t be running the event. Find out more at www.hse.gov.uk One person should be appointed to control the event. They should have responsibility for all health and safety matters and must inform your local fire, police and first aid association of the event. Having that central figure will make it easier for all. The venue Things to consider when choosing the location: n Check that it is clear of buildings, trees and other hazards. n Make sure you have suitable firefighting equipment available. n Have as many entrances and exits as possible, and make sure they are well-lit and clearly signposted. n Qualified first-aiders should patrol the site and be in regular contact with the person in charge of the event. Crowd control Arrange to have one steward for every 250 spectators, and a minimum of two stewards in total. Ensure they are easily recognisable to spectators. Other things to consider include: n Keep spectators at a safe distance from the display area. n Use a rope or strong barrier to clearly mark out this area. n Cars should be parked well away from the display area and dropping zone. Fireworks We have all seen the public information films showing the consequences of fireworks accidents. Avoid the chances of these happening at your event, by taking the following measures: n Try to recruit at least one person with previous fireworks experience.
Transcript of Make sure that your Bonfire Night festivities are remembered for … · 2012-08-30 · Make sure...
Scouting October/November 201120
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5fireworkS Safety tipS
Make sure that your Bonfire Night festivities are remembered for all the right reasons, by following five easy steps to fireworks success
a t this time of year you may be thinking about your fireworks display. Opening it
up to the public can make the event more fun, involve the community and provide a great fundraising opportunity.
However, the mix of fires, fireworks and crowds of people can result in injury or property damage.
There are five areas to look at:
Event planning Don’t leave risk management until the day of your
fireworks display. It should be a central part of your planning.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published essential guidance. If you can’t comply with HSE recommendations, you shouldn’t be running the event. Find out more at www.hse.gov.uk
One person should be appointed to control the event. They should have responsibility for all health and safety matters and must inform your local fire, police and first aid association of the event. Having that central figure will make it easier for all.
The venueThings to consider when choosing the location:
n Check that it is clear of buildings, trees and other hazards.n Make sure you have suitable firefighting equipment available.n Have as many entrances and exits as possible, and make sure they are well-lit and clearly signposted.n Qualified first-aiders should patrol the site and be in regular contact with the person in charge of the event.
Crowd control Arrange to have one steward for every 250 spectators, and a minimum of two stewards
in total. Ensure they are easily recognisable to spectators.
Other things to consider include:n Keep spectators at a safe distance from the display area.n Use a rope or strong barrier to clearly mark out this area.n Cars should be parked well away from the display area and dropping zone.
FireworksWe have all seen the public information films showing the consequences of
fireworks accidents. Avoid the chances of these happening at your event, by taking the following measures:n Try to recruit at least one person with previous fireworks experience.
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Safety in Scouting
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21www.scouts.org.uk/magazine
Jubilee beacons
Scouts across the UK
have been invited to take
part in celebrations for The
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in
2012, by lighting beacons in
their communities. Find out
more at www.diamond
jubileebeacons.co.uk
n Fireworks should be compliant with British Safety Standards.n Fireworks should only be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.n Do not allow spectators to bring their own fireworks.n Appropriate safety clothing is to be worn by persons responsible for lighting bonfires or fireworks.n Fireworks should be kept in a metal container and removed one at a time before replacing the lid.n Fireworks which fail to ignite should not be tried again; spent or failed fireworks should be soaked in a container of water and the manufacturer consulted about disposal.n Fireworks must not be put on bonfires.
bonfiresn A bonfire must be sited a safe distance from spectators, and well away from fireworks
firing areas.n The bonfire should be stable and a manageable size.
n Check the bonfire for pets and wildlife,
especially hedgehogs, before lighting it.n Paraffin, petrol or solvents should never
be used to start a fire.
n Dangerous rubbish such as aerosols should
never be burnt.n Water should be poured on embers and the site should not be left until the fire is completely out.
A factsheet on fireworks displays can be found in the resources section of Unity’s website, www.scoutinsurance.co.uk, which includes links to advice from the Health and Safety Executive and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
For event insurance, please speak to Unity on: 0845 0945 703 or email [email protected]
insurance, if things do go wrongAccidents can happen, even at the best-organised events. Therefore you will need to consider insurance cover.
If you use independent firework display organisers you must get written confirmation that they have public liability insurance.
If you’re organising the event yourself, The Scout Association Public Liability Policy, arranged though Unity (Scout Insurance Services), covers personal injury or property damage to people attending your bonfire events.
Unity can also arrange a cancellation and abandonment policy to cover your costs if the event has to be cancelled for reasons outside of your control, such as the weather.
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