Fireworks Pyrotechnics and Special Effects SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers fireworks, pyrotechnics and special-effects activities from display planning through to firing, fire watch, clearing and disposal. It supports planning for access control, ignition, fallout, equipment faults, burns, fire and residual hazards.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the display and assess effect selection, approvals, separation, property and public exposure hazards.
• Establish exclusion zones and maintain emergency access.
• Transport, receive and store pyrotechnics while managing vehicle, package, access, damage and handling hazards.
• Inspect firing equipment and install fireworks and effects.
• Conduct rehearsals and pre-fire checks for performers, communication, weather, access and fire equipment.
• Fire the display while managing ignition, explosions, burns, sparks, projectiles, fallout, hearing and fire hazards.
• Manage misfires and equipment faults.
• Undertake fire watch for smouldering fallout, fires, smoke and burn hazards.
• Clear the firing area and manage hot equipment, unfired articles, debris and residual electrical energy.
• Dispose of materials and complete sign-off.

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out fireworks, pyrotechnics or special-effects activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations.
• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory explosives, dangerous goods, transport, environmental protection, fire safety and public-event legislation.
• Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks (guidance only; confirm adoption in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Model Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace, including inspection and testing guidance for electrical equipment in higher-risk environments (guidance only; confirm adoption locally).
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces where installation work creates a fall risk (guidance only; confirm adoption locally).
• Model Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work; Hazardous manual tasks; Managing the work environment and facilities; and Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
• AS 2187.4 Explosives—Storage and use—Fireworks; AS 2187.2 Explosives—Storage and use—Use of explosives; Australian Code for the Transport of Explosives by Road and Rail; and the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, as applicable.
• Use of explosives must be undertaken by a competent, appropriately licensed person, with jurisdiction-specific notification and explosives requirements verified before work starts.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections