Media Release
NT WorkSafe bans five dangerous fireworks
Monday 27 June 2005
NT WorkSafe Manager Prevention, Steve Caldwell today announced that five dangerous fireworks had been banned from sale in the Northern Territory this year.
And he said special arrangements had been put in place to ensure crowd safety for the public display of fireworks at Mindil Beach.
Mr Caldwell said the fireworks banned included Changing Colour Torch, Fairy Stick, Crackling Balls, Amplified Aura, Navigation Mark. Twelve dangerous fireworks were banned last year.
Mr Caldwell said: "NT WorkSafe officers and third party assessors test fireworks stringently every year to ensure that they comply with the performance criteria laid down by Australian Standards. Fireworks that do not comply are not permitted to go on sale."
Mr Caldwell said Mindil Beach would be divided into three areas for Darwin's major public fireworks display on Territory Day.
The display, by Howard and Sons, will be conducted from an offshore barge and from the Darwin High School end of the beach.
The three areas on the beach will be:
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A "no-go" zone near the public display (Darwin high school end);
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A 600m zone at the casino end of the beach designated for the ignition of private fireworks; and
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An area behind (i.e. market side) each of these ignition zones for people to safely view, first the public display, and then the setting off of fireworks in the private ignition zone.
Mr Caldwell said: "The three areas will be clearly sign-posted and cordoned off by mesh fencing.
"We have taken these steps, in consultation with the Mindil Beach Markets Association and the Darwin City Council, for two reasons:
"We anticipate a large crowd because the Mindil Markets will be operating on Friday night as a special occasion."
"And with a low tide this year and the extra space available on the beach we want people to be quite certain about where it is safe to ignite fireworks and where it is safe to view them from, so people don't inadvertently wander onto the wrong side of the barrier."
"NT WorkSafe officers and Police will be on hand to advise the public."
Mr Caldwell said safety considerations must come first throughout the Territory.
"People must act responsibly when they set up and operate their own private fireworks displays. Young children must be carefully supervised at all times and people should take special care to look after their pets."
Mr Caldwell said he wanted to emphasise:
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The sale of fireworks will be restricted to two days, Thursday 30 June and Friday 1 July, as was the case last year.
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Fireworks can only be purchased between the hours of 9am and 9pm on those two days from approved fireworks retailers.
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They cannot be sold to persons under 16 years of age.
Fireworks can only be ignited between 6pm and 11pm on Territory Day, Friday 1 July 2005. Otherwise, special permits are required. "It is illegal to keep fireworks after that date," Mr Caldwell said.
Strict penalties apply under the Dangerous Goods Act for breaches of fireworks regulations with fines of up to $3000.
"Safety bulletins will be displayed at each retail outlet and retailers are being advised to remind customers of the need to follow manufacturers' instructions and also the guidelines issued by NT WorkSafe," Mr Caldwell said.
Mr Caldwell said NT WorkSafe had again coordinated a detailed fireworks safety strategy with several stakeholders, including Police, Fire and Emergency Services, the Department of Health and Community Services, local government organisations and the RSPCA.
This process has also been undertaken in Alice Springs and Katherine.
"Safety kits were also sent out to all Government and non-Government schools and safety guidelines were sent home with school newsletters before the end of Term 2," Mr Caldwell said.
Website: www.worksafe.nt.gov.au