The Explosives Regulatory Division (ERD)
offers Display Fireworks Safety and Legal Training Courses periodically, depending on
demand, at various locations throughout Canada. You must pass the course to become
certified as a Display Assistant. you will be issued a Fireworks
Operator Certificate with the appropriate certification level as detailed in the
sections below.
1.1
Display Assistant: Certification Requirements
Planning is extremely important as setting
up and firing fireworks may affect public safety. Before you can be certified as a Display
Supervisor, and authorized to put on a fireworks display without supervision, you
must go through a learning period (apprenticeship). Certification as a Display
Assistant allows you to:
- Work as crew on fireworks
displays while under the direct supervision of the Supervisor in Charge (who is certified
as a Display Supervisor).
Before an assistant can be certified by ERD,
the candidate must:
- Attend and pass the ERD
Display Fireworks Safety and Legal Training Course.
Length of Certification: 5
years
Application Requirements for Renewal of
Certification:
- Provide proof of having
assisted at least three displays during the last five years (such as copies of the Application
of Event Approval/Purchase).
- Fee and two recent photos.
To Upgrade to Display Supervisor, the
candidate must:
- Be certified as a Display
Assistant.
- Assist and work under the direct supervision and control of a Supervisor in
Charge, for at least three displays within five years from the date of completion of the
course.
- Provide proof of experience supported by letters of reference from
the Supervisors in Charge with whom the candidate has worked.
1.2
Display Supervisor:
Duties, Restrictions, and
Certification Requirements
Work that a Display Supervisor may
perform with display fireworks - Act as Supervisor in Charge:
- Arranging for display
approval through the AHJ.
- Purchasing.
- Training and supervising of assistants.
- Ensuring safety and control of the display.
- Firing the display.
Note: There is only one
legal Supervisor in Charge in any display. The Supervisor in Charge is responsible
for display approval and therefore is in a position of primary liability in the event of
any mishap.
Fireworks Restrictions (Display
Supervisor):
- Shells must not be over 155mm
(6 inch).
- Displays must be on conventional display sites - solid ground or ice.
The dimensions of the site must meet specifications set out in Chapter 3 - Display Site
Requirements (see Distance Specifications on this site).
- Display Supervisor cannot use flying saucers or nautical effects unless
they have the endorsement.
Length of Certification: 5
years
Application Requirements for Renewal of
Certification:
- Provide proof of having
assisted or acted as Supervisor in Charge in at least three displays during the last five
years (such as copies of Application of Event Approval/Purchase).
- Fee and two recent photos.
Replacement of Lost or Ruined
Certificates:
To receive a duplicate, make a written
application to ERD.
1.3
Display Supervisor with Endorsements
Duties, Restrictions, and
Certification Requirements
Only Display Supervisors with the specific
endorsements are permitted to fire displays from unconventional sites or use fireworks
articles such as aerial shells over 155mm, flying saucers and nautical shells that are
normally restricted to the Display Supervisor.
In addition to the documents normally
required for event approval, Fireworks Supervisors must have written approval from the
Explosives Regulatory Division when the display is to be fired from a confined space site
such as a barge, bridge, footbridge, flatbed, or a rooftop. ERD may review the
display site plan to ensure that separation distances are adequate for the type and size
of fireworks used. Specific requirements and directives may also be imposed by ERD.
To apply for endorsements you must have:
- Certification as a Display
Supervisor.
- Met the requirements needed for the endorsement.
- Apply in writing to ERD with proof of experience.
- Submit fee and photos.
1.3.1
Endorsements
1 - Aerial Shells (over 155mm)
2 - Floating Platform Firing
3 - Rooftop, Bridge and Flatbed Firing
4 - Flying Saucers
5 - Nautical Effects
1.4
Certification - Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs)
On completion of the Display Fireworks
Safety and Legal Training Course, ERD will issue certificates to:
- Authorities Having
Jurisdiction.
- Members (who may be AHJs as well) of agencies associated with fireworks
displays.
If members of these agencies want to work on
fireworks displays as Assistants or Display Supervisors they must meet the
standard requirements for Assistant and Display Supervisors (see sections 1.1 and 1.2).
1.5
Visiting Display Supervisors:
If you're not based in Canada and you plan
to be participating in the production of a fireworks display in Canada, you must comply
with either the first two or the last of the following three requirements:
- Obtain Visitor Certification from
the ERD for yourself and each foreign fireworks assistant or supervisor employed.
You will need to submit proof of experience and competency to the ERD for approval along
with the required fee and two photos.
- Employ a certified Canadian Display
Supervisor of the applicable class, OR
Obtain certification for yourself and your
employees through the Canadian process for qualifying Fireworks Supervisors.
Length of Certification: 5
years
Note: Where a foreign company
hires a Canadian Display Supervisor to satisfy the requirements to emply a
certified Canadian Display Supervisor, the Canadian Supervisor will share responsibility
for any mishaps arising from the use of the fireworks.
