EVENTS - 25.08.2017

Blinded by a confetti cannon

Accidental injury

The company involved in the accident was UK Effects.co.uk Ltd (E). It had supplied Liverpool nightclub Cream with a “Stadium Shot” cannon which was installed in the dance and courtyard area of the club. The cannon had been discharged five times without harm on the night of the accident, but on the sixth firing it all went wrong.

What happened?

At around 1.00am on 27 December 2013 the cannon discharged, knocking over a number of clubbers and hitting Kitty Dollah (D) in the face. She was knocked to the ground and left covered in blood. After the accident the cannon was switched off and not used again during the course of the night. Once D arrived at hospital the extent of her injuries was realised. Facial trauma included a smashed eye socket. Whilst the injuries healed she was unable to eat anything other than food supplements due to the pain.

Unfortunately, she had to be readmitted to hospital to undergo surgery, during which it was confirmed she would not regain the sight in her right eye.

Why?

During the court case it was highlighted that the Stadium Shot was not a suitable piece of equipment to be used within the confines of a nightclub. This was because it needs a distance of 25m to be discharged in a safe manner. There is, however, a different type of cannon called the Power Shot which would have been a more appropriate piece of equipment for use in this situation.

Breaking the rules

This is not the first example of the improper use of outdoor special effects leading to serious incidents. Outdoor pyrotechnics have been associated with major loss of life in nightclub fires around the world. One of them was the infamous Station Nightclub fire in Rhode Island, USA which resulted in the deaths of 96 clubbers in 2003. The tragedy was caused by pyrotechnics which should only have been used outside. Tip. If you’re in charge of an entertainments venue, ensure that no special effects are used without prior authorisation. If a staff member or visiting performer wishes to use them, management must check the safety instructions to ensure that they can be safely accommodated. Your findings should be recorded in a risk assessment; HSE guidance will help you (see The next step ).

In court

On hearing the evidence, the judge described James McMahon and Tory Harper who ran the special effects business as “naive and cavalier”. E pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £16,000. The firm was also ordered to pay a further £16,000 for the costs incurred by the prosecution during the case.

Judge Elizabeth Nicholls also went on to comment that D was “completely shocked” and had described her face as “completely smashed up” and that she felt she looked a mess after the accident.

For the HSE guidance on special effects equipment, visit http://tipsandadvice-healthandsafety.co.uk/download (HS 15.22.06).