This web site and its members are a great vehicle for safety education, and I encourage all members to lead by example and avoid becoming a statistic. If you are putting on any form of public display, you can directly influence peoples perception of firework safety by making safety a visible and important component of your show, and then shooting safely! My shows include a pre-show safety meeting for the shooters, mandatory protective gear (ear protection, eye protection, hard hats, fire resistant clothing) for all shooters, and marshalls to inforce the crowd buffer.
In reviewing some of the recent videos posted of 4th shows, one displays several blatant safety violations at a very public show. The video shows several shooters, walking around the shoot site in close proximity to firing area, who are wearing shorts and/or short sleeves, with no safety glasses, and no hard hats. To top it off, the show is way too close to buildings and the crowd looked too close as well. This kind of stuff sets a bad example and easily avoided.
mindless2
July 13th, 2006, 03:41 PM
Saftey gear is a great idea. E-fire also helps reduce those rishs, but as long as the crowd is far enough away, theres a very small chance a stray shell can hit someone.
Also, I think I know exactly whos video you are talking a bout
Don F
July 13th, 2006, 04:13 PM
I tend to agree on the lead by example.
Though it is up to us to also use our common sense rather than trust the example of some we consider to have a wealth of knowledge. There are many who follow the Do as I say not as I do phylosphy. Dont be afraid to point out unsafe practices no matter who is doing it . By remaining silent you could put yourself and others at risk
SoonerKid
July 13th, 2006, 08:35 PM
I don't know to which video your referring to but was this during setup or during continuity check and firing of the show?
During continuity check and the firing of the show you better be in a hard hat, long sleeves, safety glasses, and pants.
But IMO and not to take anything away from safety but in the middle of July here and the sun ablazing overhead the temperature can sore well over 100 degrees and during setup if your out there you under the sun you might be more concerned with heat stroke than the fireworks.
So what im saying is i think there is a little leeway about wearing certain clothing during setup when its really hot and humid. But there SHOULD NOT be given any leeway when its showtime.
Bill Corbett
July 14th, 2006, 05:03 AM
SAFETY FIRST ALWAYS & EVERYWHERE!!!
I hate to admit it but last night I was involved with shooting some 1.4 fireworks at a friends house. We got there late because I had to work late and had a flat tire enroute. The very first 200g cake we lit fell over and shot into the crowd of about 15 people. No body was hurt except me (my pride). Most everyone moved to another spot or left outright. This was unprofessional as it gets and it happened because we were in a hurry and safety was relaxed!
The lesson I learned was to NEVER and I mean NEVER no matter what relax on safety, period! If the show will be a little late or whatever, so be it. You must ALWAYS be safe and professional everytime.
yeagerb
July 14th, 2006, 06:07 AM
I couldn't agree more with everything said here! Lead by example and call out unsafe practicies! We do when we are setting up our shoots! The most common for us is having a body part over a loaded tube! And we call each other out on it! And even though we shoot electrically over 100ft away, hard hats, safety glasses and a fire jacket is worn during the shoot! And especially when clearing the tubes!
BE SAFE!!!
carp
July 14th, 2006, 06:19 AM
1. E-Fire does not reduce risks. It just changes where they are. Safer shooting but way more dangerous setup. Overall I feel E-Fire is more dangerous. Accidental ignition risk goes way up!
2. Wear appropriate safety gear to minimize risk. Sometimes full on bunker gear or even just the coat is not possible. Example: shooting from a small, very small, barge. Requirements to be on the barge were life jacket with signaling device. Well, jacket can't go over it and vest can't go over jacket. And do you really want to go in the drink with all that gear and drown? So Hard Hat, Glasses, Life Jacket, and Signaling device was the gear.
Don F
July 14th, 2006, 07:33 AM
I have to agree with Carps statement on the dangers of efire.
You can do everything correct have the matches shunted with shrouds in place and still when least expected may get an ignition. due to friction or static .
Reguardless of set up ,e-fire or hand fire
Always have clear escape routes
Never ematch near any bulk shells.
At the first sign of a spark run , it sounds cold but get youself out , worry about others once your safely clear (easy to say not easy to follow)
Never sit when ematching if something goes wrong you wont have time to get up and run.
The only things on a shoot site that cant be replaced are the lives of yourself and your crew, in an accident nothing else matters.
These are just a few common sense things to follow
plan for the best but prepare for the worst.