There is a great deal of advice, guidance and legislation that is relevant to safely operating firework displays.
Recently released are two guides, the Blue Guide and the Red Guide. These replace former Health and Safety Executive guides HSG 123 and HSG 124. The Red Guide is designed for those individuals who are not industry professionals. The Blue Guide is designed for skilled and competent firework display industry professionals.
We’ve linked the documents below for you. Please note, these documents are correct as of 08/10/21 but any updates since that time may not be reflected. It is the responsibility of individuals to seek out the most recent guidance and legislation to ensure they are operating safely and legally.
Blue Guide – Working together on firework displays
Red Guide – Giving your own firework display
You can find more information about firework licensing and what is required legally for the safe storage of fireworks on our explosives page.
Additional links to helpful guides and legislation around fireworks displays and what may be required are below.
Firework (Safety) Regulations 1997 – http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/2294/made
Firework (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 – http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/1372/made
Managing crowds safely: A guide for organisers at events and venues HSG154 – http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg154.htm
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 – http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/contents/made
Civil Aviation Authority CAP 736 – http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP736.PDF
Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 SI 2005/1643 – http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1643/contents/made
Five steps to risk assessment Leaflet INDG163(rev2) – www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg163.pdf