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Smoke Machine and Theatrical Haze Risk Assessment — Generated Instantly for £29
Describe your smoke or haze effect — machine type, fluid used, venue and audience. We generate a fully written, UK-compliant risk assessment covering respiratory irritation, obscured exits, fire alarm activation and fluid exposure in minutes.
Used by mobile DJs, theatres, event producers and nightclub venues across the UK
🌫️ Using haze in a venue with a smoke detection system? Mention it — we'll include the specific control measures needed to liaise with the venue, isolate detectors safely during use, and reinstate them immediately afterwards.
Legal requirements for smoke and haze effects
Under Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, anyone operating a smoke or haze machine as part of a show, event or performance must carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment identifying the specific hazards involved — not just the general risks of the event itself. A written risk assessment is expected by venue managers, licensing authorities and the HSE wherever atmospheric effects are used.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) apply to the fog or haze fluid itself — typically water-glycol, mineral oil or glycerine-based solutions — requiring safe storage, handling and use within manufacturer guidance. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places duties on the venue's responsible person to manage fire detection systems, meaning smoke effects must never be used without first agreeing isolation and reinstatement arrangements with that person.
HSE guidance for the entertainment industry recommends keeping atmospheric effect concentrations as low as reasonably practicable, maintaining adequate ventilation, and ensuring exit routes and signage remain visible at all times the effect is in use. Anyrisks assessments reference these requirements directly.
How it works
1. Describe the effect
Tell us the type of machine (fog, haze, cryo/CO2), fluid used, venue type, audience size and whether the venue has a fire alarm or detection system in the room.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant risk assessment referencing MHSWR 1999, COSHH 2002 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 where relevant.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and Word. Hand it to the venue, event organiser or licensing authority, or file it for your own compliance records. £29, no subscription.
What it covers
Every smoke and haze risk assessment is written in full — covering all effect-specific hazards relevant to your setup.
Respiratory irritation from fog, haze and glycol-based fluids
Obscured vision and reduced exit route visibility
Fire alarm and smoke detector false activation
Venue liaison for detector isolation and reinstatement
COSHH assessment of fog fluid storage and handling
Cold burn risk from cryo/CO2 jet effects
Ventilation and atmospheric concentration control
Exit signage and emergency lighting visibility during use
Manual handling of machines, tanks and fluid canisters
Electrical safety of machines and control units
Audience and performer exposure duration limits
Pre-show testing and positioning of effect equipment
Emergency procedures if effect obscures an evacuation
Regulation 3(1) MHSWR 1999 compliant documentation
Works for
From mobile DJ foggers to full theatrical haze rigs, Anyrisks covers every type of atmospheric effect use.
What customers say
"Venues always ask about the fogger before they'll let me set up. Now I turn up with a proper risk assessment covering the alarm system and exit visibility, and nobody argues."
Dan R.
Mobile DJ, West Yorkshire
"We use heavy haze throughout our productions and the fire officer always wants to see documentation. This gave us something specific to our rig, not a generic template."
Fiona M.
Technical stage manager, Edinburgh
"Running cryo jets at a big corporate launch meant I needed something covering the cold-burn risk as well as the usual smoke concerns. Anyrisks had both in one document."
Chris O.
Event production manager, Manchester
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers fog, haze and cryo/CO2 effects distinctly | ✓ | ✗ |
| Fire alarm liaison and isolation guidance included | ✓ | ✗ |
| COSHH referenced for fog fluid handling | ✓ | ✗ |
| Exit visibility and evacuation controls covered | ✓ | ✗ |
| Suitable for DJs, theatres and large event producers | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Do smoke and haze machines need their own risk assessment?
Yes. Smoke and haze effects introduce distinct hazards — respiratory irritation, obscured vision and exit routes, fire alarm activation and exposure to glycol or mineral oil fluids — that a general DJ, event or theatre risk assessment will not adequately cover. Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires a suitable and sufficient assessment of these specific risks before use.
Will this stop the fire alarm going off?
The assessment itself doesn't disable alarms, but it documents the control measures required — liaising with the venue or responsible person to isolate or adjust smoke detectors in the affected area for the duration of use, with reinstatement immediately afterwards, in line with the venue's fire risk assessment and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Does it cover both traditional fog fluid and cryo/CO2 jets?
Yes — describe the type of effect (oil-based fog, water-based haze, glycol haze, or cryo/CO2 jets) and the assessment will reflect the correct hazard profile, including COSHH considerations for the specific fluid and the cold-burn risk associated with CO2 jets.
What does it say about audience and performer exposure?
The assessment covers exposure duration limits, ventilation requirements, and guidance aligned with HSE entertainment industry advice on atmospheric effects, including keeping concentrations as low as reasonably practicable and avoiding continuous exposure for performers and crew working near the machine.
Is this suitable for DJs as well as theatre and event producers?
Yes — the same core hazards (obscured vision, alarm activation, respiratory irritation) apply whether you're a mobile DJ using a compact fogger, a theatre running haze for a full production, or an event company operating large-scale smoke effects. Describe your setting and the assessment is tailored accordingly.
Does it include COSHH information for the fog fluid?
Yes — Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) requirements are referenced, including safe handling, storage and the use of manufacturer safety data sheets for whichever fluid (water-glycol, mineral oil or glycerine-based) you specify.
Can it cover a touring production using the same rig at multiple venues?
Yes — describe the type of venue and effect used, and we'll include generic venue-liaison and exit-visibility controls that you can apply at each new location, alongside a note to confirm venue-specific fire alarm arrangements on arrival.
How quickly can I get the assessment?
Under 2 minutes. Describe your smoke or haze setup and Anyrisks produces a complete, regulation-referenced risk assessment instantly, ready to download as PDF and Word.
Also see: The Ultimate Guide to Risk Assessment · Do I Need a Risk Assessment · Risk Assessment Legal Requirements · AI Risk Assessment Generator