Health and Safety - Fireworks Advice
Every year serious injuries are caused by people not handling
fireworks properly. In the past five years (2000 2005)
fireworks have claimed the lives of two
people. In 2005, a staggering 990
people required hospital treatment as a result
of fireworks and 41% of these were sustained at a public
display.
However, organised displays are the safest way for people to
enjoy fireworks, provided that they are properly managed within the
law.
The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and subsidiary
legislation covers firework displays which involves a work activity
(i.e. where at least one person will be involved on a professional
basis). This legislation places duties in respect of the health and
safety of everyone involved in arranging and giving the display,
the spectators and other people near the display site.
The Manufacture
and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005 permit you to
keep up to 50 kg (net) of Hazard type 4 fireworks for up to 21 days
provided that these are not for sale or for use at work.
If you intend to use the fireworks for a
commercial display or for some other work purpose, or you wish to
store a larger quantity of fireworks, or more powerful fireworks
then you will normally need to register with your local licensing
authority.
Information on putting on firework displays
Safe and successful firework displays - available
from the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory
Reform (147 KB, 8 pages)