Any event organiser who wishes to include a firework display at their New Years Eve event must complete a risk assessment specific to fireworks, as it is a legal requirement.
Fireworks are a fun and popular way to celebrate New Years. Any New Years event, such as a party or market or festival, will be expected to include a firework display. However, fireworks are explosives and come with prominent risks. Event organisers must ensure they have completed a comprehensive risk assessment and put in place control measures to help the reduce the likelihood of an incident.
At Insure Our Event we freely provide risk assessment templates to event organisers. We have compiled a bonfire and firework-specific risk assessment that can be used to manage the risks at firework events such as New Years.
Insure Our Event are the UK’s top provider for New Years Eve event insurance, starting at £25. Event organisers can receive a free quote for their event by filling in our non-compulsory quote form here.
Why is a risk assessment necessary for an event?
Risk assessments demonstrate a clear understanding of the event and the risks pertaining to it. Risks will be varied, and will need to involve visitors, fires, injuries and predictable instances. Unforeseeable circumstances generally aren’t included in a risk assessment, as they exist to demonstrate the organiser has attempted to put in place control measures.
In the event of an incident, or an insurance claim, proof of a risk assessment will be required to show the organiser has done their due diligence. When organising a firework event; due to the high degree of danger and pertinent health and safety concerns; risk assessments are legally required.
Properly identifying and mitigating risk is essential to ensuring an event’s success. Event organisers should predict, prepare for and mitigate risks in order to improve the likelihood of an event running smoothly.
What is included in a firework risk assessment?
From physical risks, such as health and safety, to environmental risks related to the weather; risk assessments include a variety of dangers. Venue layout, capacity, emergency contacts, first aid kit locations; all will need to be included and recorded.
The firework risk assessment needs to document each and every aspect of your event’s health and safety. If any obvious circumstance is missed, or there is an oversight, then the event organiser could be found liable or negligent.
Firework risk assessment must involve the risk of fire and burns. Handling fireworks needs to be restricted, with responsible persons named. Designated areas need to be stated, with special mention of firework appropriateness, such as long dry grass, or overhanging trees. The types of fireworks, the length of the display and the need for fire-resistant clothing and hearing protection should be included.
How should I use a risk assessment?
Review your event and note down all the perceived risks. This could include loose wires, stalls, service providers, fire risk, cash handling areas, as well as a number of risks or eventualities. Then determine the level of this risk – how likely is it that someone would be burned by a sparkler or slip on some ice. Then determine what control measures you have put in place to make visitors aware of this risk or to reduce the likelihood of it occurring. Control measures could include signage, water buckets, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, regular patrols or notices.
What happens if I don’t have a risk assessment and something goes wrong?
If an accident or injuries happens and you are found to not have a sufficient risk assessment, they are breaking the law and can be prosecuted. This can also invalidate your event insurance, as insurance requires a risk assessment.
A venue’s preexisting risk assessment is not enough. Though the venue may have its own risk assessments and cover, event organisers will need to have their own too as the venue’s policy won’t cover all of your potential risks.
Bonfire and Firework Risk Assessment Template from Insure Our Event
See our resources area for a range of necessary documentation and risk assessment templates.
Insure Our Event are the UK’s top provider for New Years Eve event insurance, starting at £25. Event organisers can receive a free quote for their event by filling in our non-compulsory quote form here.
