Event Health and Safety: Cambridge Fireworks Display

Background

The OPS team has worked with Cambridge City Council since 2017 – providing Health & Safety services across a range of events. This year, 2024, the Events team at Cambridge City Council approached us to support them in the safe delivery of their famous annual firework display.

Cambridge City offer this free event to residents to celebrate the long tradition of Guy Fawkes. Most of the attendees are local, but there are many that travel from across the UK to attend. Taking place on Midsummer Common, the event comprised of a variety of food vendors, local DJ Chris Brown and street band Spark. The display was a huge success and drew a crowd of around 25,000 visitors this year.

Midsummer Common runs alongside the River Cam, a popular river for Rowing schools and Boat clubs in Cambridge. Some of which date back to the 1830’s. This created some challenges to manage, as explained below.

Challenges

A large student population with rowing clubs encouraging large groups to watch the display from across the River. To discourage those viewing from club balconies and boat houses, signage was erected prior to the event and security was placed opposite to monitor any issues.
Some residents owned houseboats moored alongside Midsummer Common which was in the fallout zone of the display. Cambridge City contacted all those residing that a temporary prohibition of mooring was being implemented during the event asking them to temporarily relocate.
Egress of 25,000 people leaving mostly at the same time (post-firework display) can be challenging. To control the flow of people exiting, entertainment continued after the display to encourage participants to remain within Midsummer Common and ease congestion.
The event is unticketed and guests can bring alcohol onto the premises. We ensured security was widespread, deterring any aggressive behavior.

On-site Health and Safety monitoring of contractors during the build and break of the site
Document review and approval for structural sign-offs
Daily safety audits, enforcing exclusion zones and ensuring correct PPE was implemented
Site-wide monitoring for potential pinch-points during egress
Frequent perimeter checks looking for potential hazards. Reporting these so that the production team can work together in resolving problems prior to opening to the public

Results

Thousands of happy attendees with a very successful VIP area
The firework display kept the attendees engaged and the additional entertainment was very successful in managing egress.
The University students kept away from the River Cam and remained safe
A very happy client, who is keen to keep working with OPS for future events