The stupid and dangerous fireworks season is underway - there ought to be a law against it!

Actually, there is, so why isn't it enforced?

Where: Yamba, NSW, 2464
When: Saturday, 4 December, 8.30pm
What: Illegal fireworks

WorkCover NSW  requires that:

The possession, use, storage and transport of display fireworks is restricted to individuals holding a:

• pyrotechnician's licence
• fireworks (single use) licence.

There are safety and security requirements for the storage of fireworks depending on the amount and type of fireworks to be stored. Licences are also required to:

• handle fireworks without supervision
• manufacture fireworks
• sell fireworks.

A licence will only be issued for a legitimate reason such as an organised public display that is open to the public. The display must be organised by a community or private organisation for a show, fete, carnival, cultural, religious or sporting event. 

Notified fireworks are displayed on WorkCover's site and can be found here.

Red Faces at The Daily Examiner in Grafton

Grafton's Daily Examiner, which circulates in the Clarence valley, has produced yet another blooper. And, this time it is a really big one!

In its latest stuff-up The Examiner ran a page 1 report today - Friday 4 April 2008 - that said a construction site worker who was injured on the job on Thursday died last night in hospital.

But, hold the presses. The worker didn't die as was reported - he was reported to be still alive today (Friday), but seriously injured.

How did the Examiner manage to produce this monumental stuff up?

Don't know?

Perhaps it's The Examiner's revolving door employment policy, which is similar to that of other rags that come out of APN's stable of publications.

ABC Radio gets top marks. It reported the incident accurately. Read its report here.

Amateur pyrotechnicians = dangerous nuisances

Many New Year celebrations featured FIREWORKS, but most of the fireworks were unauthorised and illegal.

Responsible individuals and organisations respect lawful directions associated with fireworks displays. In NSW this involves making application to WorkCover to conduct public displays of fireworks.

WorkCover's website provides a search facility that shows listings of notified displays. The listings enable authorities and members of the public to take appropriate action in preparation for the displays. The website is http//www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/fireworks_search.htm

In addition to the nuisance factor associated with illegal fireworks, the far more important factor of PUBLIC SAFETY need addressing.

Unauthorised and illegal fireworks should not be tolerated. Contact POLICE, LOCAL COUNCIL and WORKCOVER to report incidents of such activities.
Authorised fireworks displays between 01-Nov-2007 and 31-Jan-2008 were registered with WorkCover. The list isn't very long, so obviously most fireworks are unauthorised and illegal.