"Just to say that everyone really enjoyed the UrbanCircus show at Rory's 21st on Saturday. Great welcome with your stilts and kangaroo springs and then brilliant acts juggling and ladder walking....and you judged the student humour well!! Thanks for everything!"
Patrick Gammell

Risk Assessment for Fire Jugglers

The following Risk Assessment endeavours to reduce the risk of the activity by the control measures identified
below and by using professional, selfemployed, performers who have many years of experience, a good safety record,
and Fire Performers Public Liability Insurance of £2,000,000, through First Acts Insurance.

Description of activity
The artistes juggle props such as Juggling Torches, Staffs, Poi, Devil Sticks, Staffs, Fire Eating Wands, FireWhips
which have been dipped in Paraffin and set alight. The Paraffin is transported by the Juggler to the site in the
manufacturer's recommended container or metal fuel bottle. A small amount of fuel is poured into a fireproof
container (metal, glass, ceramic) called the; dipping container; and the original container resealed.
The fuel is then transferred to the juggling prop by dipping the wick of the prop into the dipping container.
Excess fuel is removed from the wick by dripping, flicking, and shaking the prop into the dipping container.
The artiste then ignites the wick by using a lighter or outdoor candle and burns off any excess fuel on the
prop before proceeding to juggle. The equipment is checked before each performance and regularly maintained.

On arrival at the site, the artistes will identify the nominated person/event organiser and obtain details of
how to contact them in an emergency and the location of thefirst aid point provided by the organiser. In the
case of an accident, the event organiser and Cake's Entertainment will be informed immediately. Depending on
the severity of injury, the artiste will treat it himself, contact the ambulance service or the first aid point.

Summary of risks

1. Risk of artistes being burnt. Likelyhood: Low. Severity: High. Risk: Medium. Action: The artistes will burn
off excess fuel prior to juggling. If windy, the artistes will scale down the fire juggling, stop performing, or move to a more sheltered position. The artistes will keep a water or a Clean Wet Towel (for treating minor burns) and Cling Film (for covering severe burns) at the dipping container to treat any burns. Depending on the severity of the burn, the artiste may treat the burn himself, go the first aid point, or be taken to the nearest hospital. As each artiste is working alone, the event organiser will provide one steward per artiste to keep an eye on the artiste and assist him if he is burnt. Each artiste will brief their steward before the performance on what action to take in the event of an accident.

2. Risk of artistes inhaling Fire/Vapour. Likelyhood: Low. Severity: High. Risk: Medium. Action: The artistes
will burn off excess fuel prior to juggling. If windy, the artistes will scale down the fire juggling, stop performing, or move to a more sheltered position. The artistes will keep Water, Clean Wet Towels, and Cling Film at the dipping container to treat any injuries. Depending on the severity of the injury, the artiste may treat the burn himself, go the first aid point, or be taken to the nearest hospital. As each artiste is working alone, the event organiser will provide one steward per artiste to keep an eye on the artiste and assist him, if he is burnt. Each artiste will brief their steward prior to the performance on what action to take in the event of an accident.

3. Risk of artistes getting splashes of fuel in the eyes. Likelyhood: Low. Severity: High. Risk: Medium.
Action: The artistes will burn off excess fuel prior to juggling. If windy, the artistes will scale down the fire juggling, stop performing, or move to a more sheltered position. The artistes will keep water at the dipping container to flush
the fuel from their eyes or mouth. Depending on the severity of the injury, the artiste may treat the burn himself, go the first aid point, or be taken to the nearest hospital. As each artiste is working alone, the event organiser will provide one steward per artiste to keep an eye on the artiste and assist him if he is burnt. Each artiste will brief
their steward before the performance on what action to take in the event of an accident.

4. Risk of artistes catching fire. Likelyhood : Low. Severity: High. Risk: Medium Action: The artistes will burn
off excess fuel prior to juggling. If windy, the artistes will scale down the fire juggling, stop performing,
or move to a more sheltered position. The artistes will keep a wet towel, Fire Blanket, Fire Extinguisher,
and Clingfilm at the dipping container. As each artiste is working alone, the event organiser will provide one steward
per artiste to keep an eye on the artiste and assist him if he catches fire. If an artiste does catch fire, then the
steward will warn the artiste by shouting; "Orange". Each artiste will brief their steward before the performance on
what action to take in the event of an accident. Depending on the severity of injury, the event organiser will take
the artiste to the first aid point, take the artiste to the nearest Hospital, or call the ambulance service.

5. Risk of burning audience with splashes of fuel or burning props. Likelyhood: Low. Severity: High. Risk:
Medium. Action: The artistes will burn off excess fuel prior to juggling. The artistes will keep a wet towel, Fire
Blanket, Fire Extinguisher and Clingfilm at the dipping container If windy, the artistes will scale down the fire
juggling, stop performing, or move to a more sheltered position. The artistes will always keep a safe distance of at least 4 metres between themselves and the audience at all times during the performance. If anyone enters this
safe zone, then the artiste will stop performing. The event organiser will provide barriers to keep the audience
at a safe distance. As each artiste is working alone, the event organiser will provide a one steward per artiste to
keep an eye on the spectators and make sure they stay at a safe distance. Each artiste will brief their steward before the performance on what action to take in the event of an accident. Depending on the severity of injury, the event
organiser will take the spectator(s) to the first aid point, take the spectator(s) to the nearest Hospital,
or call the ambulance service.

6. Risk of fuel container or dipping cup catching fire. Likelyhood: Low. Severity: Medium. Risk: Medium.
Action: The artistes will perform at least 4 metres feet away from the sealed main fuel container and the dipping
container. The artistes will extinguish any wicks before placing them in the dipping container and keep a lid on the
dipping container. The artistes will keep a fire blanket and fire extinguisher at the dipping area to help extinguish any fire. As each artiste is working alone, the event organiser will provide one steward per artiste to keep an eye on the fuel containers and warn the artiste if a fire starts. Each artiste will brief their steward before the performance on what action to take in the event of an fire.

7. Risk of someone stealing the dipping or fuel container and starting a fire. Likelyhood: Low. Severity:
High. Risk: Medium. Action: As the artiste is working alone, the event organiser will provide one steward per
artiste to keep an eye on the fuel containers while the artiste is performing and prevent any spectaotors from
stealing them or tampering with the artiste's fire props.

8. Risk of accident. Likelyhood: Low. Severity: High. Risk: Medium. Action: On arrival at the site, or venue, the
artistes will identify the nominated person/event organiser and obtain details of how to contact them in an
emergency and the location of the first aid point provided by the organiser. In the case of an accident, the event
organiser and Cake's Entertainment will be informed immediately. Depending on the severity of injury, the artiste will treat the injury himself, go to the first aid point, or the steward will contact the ambulance service or take the artiste to the nearest Hospital.

9. Risk of artistes setting Fireworks on fire. Likelyhood: Low. Severity: High. Risk: Medium. Action: The
event organiser will ensure that the artistes are situated at least 20 metres from any fireworks which have been set
up in the park. As each artiste is working alone, the event organiser will provide one steward per artiste to keep an
eye on the artiste's proximity to any fireworks and keep him at a safe distance from the fireworks.

10. Risk of artistes being injured by Fireworks. Likelyhood: Low. Severity: High. Risk: Medium. Action: The
event organiser will ensure that the artistes are situated at least 20 metres from any fireworks which have been set
up in the park and will not start the fireworks display until the artistes have finished their performance and have
retired to a safe distance with their fuel and props. As each artiste is working alone, the event organiser will provide
one steward per artiste to keep an eye on the artiste and advise him when to stop performing and vacate the area
before the Fireworks display starts.