IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS

IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS FOR A PROFESSIONAL SAFE FIREWORKS SHOW TO AVOID INCIDENTS

SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR DISPLAY FIREWORKS SITES
AS PER UAE AND GCC REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has compiled the following list of safety guidelines designed to advise display fireworks operators and other affected employers of some procedures that may be followed to help ensure that display fireworks are used safely.

It is important to understand that due to their sensitivity, display fireworks can present hazards when improperly handled or used. Employers are encouraged to follow these or other more protective safety guidelines when using display fireworks.

With regard to permits, within UAE, any fireworks show to be approved by authorities, needs 4 to 5 working day to cover all requirements listed in the below Pre-Display Approval Checklist.

As for shows outside UAE, it is more complicated as 90% of countries do not allow importing and storing fireworks material, they just allow importing these dangerous goods (1.3G and 1.4G) for a certain event, with a severe rule to use the all the material and not to keep any for storing.

SO, IN ADDITION TO THE BELOW PRE-DISPLAY APPROVAL CHECKLIST, CLIENT NEEDS TO COVER THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:

  • For land shipment by truck, there is no issues if exported to KSA or Sultanate of Oman as UAE has borders with these countries. But if exporting to other countries, the first thing to check, if the shipment by truck, is allowed for transit pass within other countries. As some countries has restrictions for dangerous goods transit.

  • For sea shipment, the first thing to check, is the availability of a Marine shipping line to hold dangerous goods (1.4G and 1.3G) directly to the desired country. And sure, to check schedule of loading and time of shipment, as for dangerous goods, the shipping is not daily available.

  • Approval and permit from the authority who’s on top of the event, to make a fireworks show organized by the client agency which usually is an event organizing firm.

  • Submitting the above permit to the ministry of interior attached with material packing list provided by Igual, trade license of Igual Gulf Fireworks, copy of our licensed technicians, material origin, country of import, and the border or port to which the shipment will reach.

  • Once the import permit is released, Igual should receive a copy in order to start the procedure of exporting the material, which usual need 5 to 10 working days. 

For any fireworks show, no matter how big, no matter the duration, and no matter the budget, the below notes should be covered carefully to deliver a clean and safe fireworks show out of any incidents…

PRE-DISPLAY APPROVAL CHECKLIST

  • Arrange for SITE INSPECTIONS required by explosive police department.
  • After checking the shooting location and its safety norms, WITH A RADIUS OF 100 TO 150 METERS AWAY FROM ANY STREET OR BUILDING, to obtain from client NOC letter from landlord, and an invitation letter for hiring Igual to execute the show.
  • Obtain required permit from the Explosives police department after submitting application form attached WITH CLIENT NOC AND INVITATION LETTER WITH THE SHOOTING POINT COORDINATES.
  • Obtain COAST GUARD APPROVAL for displays fired from harbors or navigable waterways (when sea show using pontoons, barges or crew boat.)
  • Obtain CIVIL AVIATION APPROVAL for aerial shows and confirm time of shooting.
  • Submit required application attached with police permit to the civil defense authorities in order to have a fire truck on site one hour before the shooting time.
  • For few events, WHEN IT’S A FESTIVAL OR A CROWDED AREA, to Submit required application attached with police permit to private company in order to send an AMBULANCE ON SITE one hour before the shooting time.
  • For few events, WHEN IT’S A FESTIVAL OR A CROWDED AREA, to obtain APPROVAL from appropriate authorities TO CLOSE ROADS OR RESTRICT ACCESS.
  • In case the shooting area is not well isolated or not easy to control, to HIRE A SECURITY COMPANY for 24/24 presence, sometimes with police barriers, to guard and control the field.
  • In case the FIREWORKS SHOW IS BIG, AND NEED FEW DAYS of installation, HIRING A SECURITY GUARDS 24/24 is a must to supervise the field and the dangerous material stored in container.
  • For some Emirates or countries, there could be a policy to submit application and permit copies to some authorities like the ministry of tourism, or department of culture and tourism, or municipality.
  • THIRD LIABILITY INSURANCE VALID.
  • MINIMUM ITEMS TO ADDRESS INCLUDE:
  • At least on qualified operator in charge licensed by UAE ministry of interior and sponsored by Igual. As for any other GCC country, the same applies there.
  • Properly trained assistants or helpers
  • Mortars tubes in good terms and technicians using digital firing control system.
  • Site layout with proper separation distances
  • Method of statement and Risk assessment

PRE – DISPLAY SITE CHECKLIST

  • Establish site security prior to arrival of pyrotechnic materials.
  • Protect all fireworks, pyrotechnic materials, and launching equipment from inclement weather and keep them dry at all times.
  • Prohibit smoking material, matches, lighters or open flames within 50 feet of fireworks material.
  • Only necessary personnel required to perform the display set up & show shall be allowed at the display site.
  • Prohibit persons in the display site who are under the influence of alcohol, or medication that could adversely affect judgment, mobility, or stability.
  • No cell phones or radio frequency (RF) generating devices are permitted within the immediate discharge area while electrically ignited fireworks or pyrotechnic devices are prepared, loaded, or set up.
  • Wear all personal protective equipment appropriate for setup duties.
  • Verify that all mortars and racks are made of approved materials, and are of sufficient strength, length and durability to allow shells to be propelled to safe deflagration heights.
  • Make sure all mortars, mortar racks, bundles, pre-loaded box items, cakes, candles, and ground displays have been thoroughly inspected and deemed inherently stable.
  • Avoid placing any portion of your body over mortars during loading, wiring, or igniting, and immediately after the display has been fired.
  • Use safe handling and loading procedures for all pyrotechnic devices.
  • Check proper fit of shells in mortars.
  • Display Checklist
  • Verify fire service (Civil Defense) and if required, emergency medical service (Ambulance) units are available and ready to respond.
  • Establish good communications between crew, event organizer, and Civil defense.
  • Call civil aviation 5 to 10 minutes before confirmed shooting time for instant clearance.
  • Maintain crowd control, utilizing monitors and/or barriers.
  • Use all required personal protective equipment especially protection for: head, eye, hearing, and foot.
  • Wear long-sleeved and long-legged clothing made of cotton, wool or similar flame-resistant cloth.
  • Monitor weather and crowd conditions to maintain safety.
  • Comply with directions given by the explosive police officer on site, spotter(s), or civil defense.
  • Use only flashlights or other non-incentive lighting in firing and ready box areas.

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