Editorial

The explosion in a fireworks factory that sent a man to the other world and left the other on the brink provided sensational news. All will soon be forgotten. It is this forgetfulness that must exercise the minds of the authorities as the families and the community in Zurrieq grieve. It is not the purpose of this editorial to go into the arguments for and against fireworks. Rather it is to deal with the quintessential point of safety at the point of manufacture.

Even as we feel for the families left behind, it is difficult not to recall the mournful words of that song about soldiers dying and the failure of nations to live at peace: "Oh, when will they ever learn? When will they ever learn?" We should harbour a similar disquiet over the outrageousness of bodies blown to smithereens.

Let us be clear about two things. The men in towns and villages across the country who make it one of their aims in life to provide fireworks to honour their patron saint, or their particular Blessed Virgin, are involved in a process that is praiseworthy. We are not discussing excess of noise here. For this and other manifestations that we consider incongruous, we have repeatedly shown our strong distaste. No, our purpose is to tackle the issue of "manufacture", placed between quotes because the fireworks industry gives every impression of falling outside every safety rule and regulation.

There has, to the best of our knowledge, been no outcry from the health and safety authority. If so, this is lamentable. If any industry in Malta requires the most stringent rules and regulations - and supervision - it is the fireworks industry. When last June five men were killed in a similar incident, Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg let it be understood that he would have recommendations for reforms to the manufacture of fireworks drawn up by last month.

In 2004 the Explosives Committee had already provided recommendations in a report that was not made public. Either way it would appear that they have been largely ignored. A Pyrotechnics Committee was set up to make fresh recommendations. It is imperative that these reach the minister yesterday and the appropriate action taken. Lives are at stake.

It may be argued that the entire productive range of fireworks is covered by safety rules.

Should this be the case, why do they apparently continue to be blatantly ignored? How often are these factories visited without warning to make sure that in a deadly environment every form of safety is observed, every precaution against an accident taken? The €64,000 question, however, is: How firmly under the law and within it do these establishments operate?

The impression is that workers in this industry can go on site whenever the mood takes them and risk, with equanimity it seems, being blown up. They have to be disabused of this attitude. If our fireworks manufacturers cannot get their safety act together, it is clear that they must be made to face the consequences of being shut down. They should be taken abroad to see how their European counterparts operate, the structures of fireworks factories and the process followed throughout.

The manufacture of fireworks is a profitable business, but profit should not be allowed to encourage or promote a disregard for safety. The recommendations of the Pyrotechnics Commission should be forwarded to Dr Borg in the shortest time possible - and made public.