In addition to running the day to day operations of Star Fireworks, Andy Hubble provides an explosives consultancy service with a specialist area of legal compliance for firework companies and companies involved in the use, storage and transport of general explosives, fireworks, special effects and other pyrotechnic related articles and substances.
Specialist areas include:
Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) legislation
Explosives Storage and Licensing – he has been responsible for advising five upper tier COMAH sites, many lower tier COMAH sites and numerous other Health and Safety Executive explosives licensed storage sites, as well as local authority licensed sites including firework storage in retail situations
COMAH Safety Report authoring and emergency planning
Implementation and management of COMAH safety/environmental activities and statutory obligations
Professional firework display design and choreography and event management
Product acquisition and import from Far Eastern and European manufacturers
Dangerous goods transport legislation (ADR and Carriage of Dangerous Goods)
Classification - all explosives (CAD documents) - from high explosives 1.1D through to fireworks
UKCA / CE approval for fireworks and compliance with European Standards including EN 15947, EN 16261
Risk assessments for storage sites and events, safety distance mitigation controls
Safety Management Systems (SMS) and written procedures
Safety training for individuals involved in explosive storage, and firework displays
Site audit and monitoring compliance
Safety management and use of special effects
Major Accident Prevention Policies (COMAH)
Emergency planning
Accident investigation - eg following fire at explosive storage sites (to COMAH standards)
Lightning protection systems inspection and testing
Training - of Government, Local Authority, Fire and Police specialist staff
Advisory and expert witness service for Local Authority and Fire Service enforcers
Fireworks and special effects audit for Local Authorities for entertainment licensing and safety (for example: firework display, music concerts)
International training - local government and armed forces specialist training overseas
Andy also acts as an expert witness for a broad range of clients and insurers. He specialises in the field of fireworks (all areas) and the storage and transport of pyrotechnic related articles and substances. He has acted as fireworks expert witness in criminal work for both prosecution and defence and also civil cases. He is noted for his clear explanations, detailed analysis, and authoritative opinion. Prior to fireworks he worked for Thames Valley Police for five years, and has spent thirteen years as a Special Constable with the same Police Force.
Andy is a regular columnist in Fireworks Magazine and Explosives Engineering, the Journal of the Institute of Explosives Engineers. He has also had papers published in the Journal of the International Symposium on Fireworks.
Andy Hubble's background, training and work with government agencies ensures he has the unique set of skills to provide Firework Consultancy Services.
Qualifications, training, accreditation:
British Pyrotechnists Association Senior Firer (5-year current)
British Pyrotechnists Association Firework Firer’s Course Lecturer
British Pyrotechnists Association Firework Firer’s Course Administrator
Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA), 2005 to current
Inspection and testing of Lightning Protection Systems
Membership of Professional Organisations
British Pyrotechnists Association, Chairman, 2008 to 2010, 2013 to 2016, 2020 to 2023 (11 years)
Member of the Institute of Explosive Engineers (IExpE), 2012 Institute of Explosives Engineers Council Member (IExpE)
Council Member of Institute of Explosive Engineers (IExpE) since 2016
2006 to current British Pyrotechnists Association Management Committee
2011 to 2013 CBI/Explosives Industry Group Pyrotechnic Section Committee
Membership of Committees and Working Groups
Member of Health and Safety Executive Explosives Legislative Review (ELR) Professional Display Operator Working Group, 2013 to 2015 preparing new legislation (Explosives Regulations 2014) and guidance to the Regulations
Member of Pyrotechnic Articles Liaison Group (PALG),2013 to current, implementation and application of European Directive related pyrotechnics legislation, liaison group between pyrotechnic stakeholders, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Single Market Team (European Reform Directorate), Health and Safety Executive and Trading Standards.
Member of CEN TC212 Working Group 2, developing European standards for Pyrotechnic Articles with a specialism of category 4 fireworks, for use by persons with specialist knowledge, 2008 to 2010
Member of Health and Safety Executive Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations Review Working Group 2008
Scottish Government ‘Fireworks Review Group’ professional fireworks representative 2020-2022, including giving evidence to Scottish Parliament Criminal Justice Committee and Community Safety Minister
Notable work
Principle fireworks consultant to CPS for SP Fireworks Stafford double-manslaughter gross negligence prosecution with 3 day court appearance and guilty verdict
Consultant to Coventry City Council for safety audit and legislative compliance review of Rammstein UK tour pyrotechnics and special effects
Trainer to numerous UK local authorities and government departments on firework compliance
Author of multiple expert reports for local authorities for Explosives Regulations prosecutions
Should you have the need for consultancy services do not hesitate to contact Andy for more information. Andy is always happy to help members of the explosives industry and enforcers with his specialist knowledge and expertise.
As a British Fireworks Association Spokesperson Andy is also available to answer questions from the press.
UK Register of Expert Witnesses
Andy’s entry on the UK Register of Expert Witnesses can be found here https://www.jspubs.com/expert-witness/si/f/fireworks/hubble/bracknell
Fireworks Commentator
Andy has been the commentator for the British Firework Championships in Plymouth since 2021, working for the competition organiser, The Event Services Association (TESA) and Plymouth City Council. His expert analysis and explanations are broadcast to the 250,000 strong crowd that assembles around the Plymouth coastline over the two night competition every August, and he also appears in vision on the YouTube livestream of the event. He also provides live commentary at other firework events around the UK.