Special effects (SFX) for events are popular because they create a real wow factor which audiences love. But when it comes to working with special effects, safety is vital. It doesn’t matter if you want effects for a stadium event or product launches, safety must be your top priority. And it’s the main reason why it’s so important to hire a team of highly trained professionals to do the job.
Your Legal Responsibilities
The Health and Safety Executive has strict legislation surrounding the use of entertainment special effects, including smoke effects, fire effects, projectiles (confetti cannons!), and pyrotechnics. It outlines the roles and responsibilities of employers/producers, making it clear what their responsibilities are under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002, and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.
If you are the person deemed to be in overall charge of any production, you will need a trained specialist to carry out a health and safety assessment and put control measures in place to eliminate or reduce risks.
Reasons to Hire a Professional Special Effects Company
There are many reasons to hire a special effects specialist to produce the SFX for your events. When there are hundreds, thousands or even tens of thousands of people in the venue during any given event, safety has to be at the heart of everything you do.
But there is a different reason to hire a professional SFX company, and that’s because it will also mean you’re assured of a well run show. Trained and experienced specialists will ensure you get the right sparks, flames, pyrotechnics, confetti and smoke that are all timed to perfection. This makes it a seamless experience for your crew and means your audience gets all the excitement of the show, but in complete safety.
Here’s how a specialist company can help you fulfil your safety obligations when it comes to special effects.
Documentation
By hiring an experienced specialist agency, you can be certain that everything you need will be done properly, including the paperwork. Industry professionals will be able to advise you about the necessary documentation, and can help with any permits, contracts, certifications and any other credentials you’ll need in order to use SFX at your event. They will also be able to advise you about additional insurance needs.
Risk Assessment
You must always do a thorough risk assessment if you are going to use special effects. The assessment will identify potential hazards, the likelihood that they could cause injury or damage, and the severity of damage if they did, and recommend the best protective measures to take, such as ventilation, making sure fire fighting equipment is at hand, protective clothing, informing staff of safety protocols etc. The risk assessment will also identify the actions you need to take to mitigate or eliminate the risks of harm.
Design and Installation
There are multiple factors to take into account when planning to use SFX at your event. Equipment needs to be placed and secured carefully in order to give the maximum visual impact at the same time as being kept a safe distance away from performers/players, crew members and the public. A trained professional will have the knowledge and experience to make sure everything is perfectly placed to create the biggest impact. They will also check the equipment and conduct a dry run with your cast and crew to ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities, including how to keep themselves and each other safe.
Operation of the Equipment
Anyone who operates the special effects equipment will need to be trained on safety protocols in order to ensure its safe use. They will check it’s in working order before every performance. In addition, professional operators will not only have the safety training needed, they’ll also have years of experience helping to make spectacular and crowd-pleasing performances happen. So hiring a professional special effects company will help enhance your event as well as make it as safe as possible.
Why use Entertainment Effects?
Our experienced team has been designing, installing and running bespoke effects for sporting events, stage productions and music concerts for more than 25 years. Our in-house team of highly trained professionals will work closely with you to design, install and operate a wide range of special effects that will bring your vision to life and help you create all those magic moments. From flame jets and Sparkular effects to confetti cannons, smoke, fog and full blown pyrotechnics, we’ll deliver the most exciting effects that fit your event requirements. All with thorough safety protocols and precautions for your specific needs in order to make your event memorable for all the right reasons.
We have worked with industry clients from film companies, theatres, festivals, sports clubs and PR companies to deliver a full range of special effects that create those special moments that add magic to events.
Contact us to discuss your event requirements and find out how our team can help you produce a great event that will keep your audiences as safe as they are entertained.
