A committee set up in 2008 to look into the construction of fireworks factories has yet to submit its recommendations, The Times has learnt.
When contacted, a spokesman for the Home Affairs Ministry said the committee was "in the process of finalising its report".
Experts have long argued that the way the factories are built could increase the danger to the lives of those manufacturing the fireworks if an explosion were to take place, as they could get trapped inside the building.
The bodies of two men - Damian Agius, 21, and Fredu Stellini, 56, both of Qormi - who died in Monday's explosion at the St Sebastian fireworks factory in Qormi were pulled out from under the concrete roof of the room they were working in. Back in November 2007, 62-year-old Żaren Barbara was crushed under a six-inch thick concrete slab that formed the roof of the St Catherine's fireworks factory in Żurrieq following an explosion.
Ideally, the roof should be made of light material, which would not crush those caught inside if the supporting walls are blown out.
But sources said that only a couple of fireworks factories were built in a way that would not contain a blast.
However, an explosives expert who spoke to The Times said that, although having weak roofs was important, this did not necessarily mean that all deaths would be avoided because the explosion itself, or the inhalation of gases, could be fatal.
The level of humidity - which, according to the Met Office, was 77 per cent at 6.15 p.m. on Monday, the time of the explosion - could also have an effect on explosive material if it were exposed. The expert said humidity could make material more combustible, although it was unlikely that Monday's explosion was triggered by the weather.
Although the mixing of chemicals is considered the most dangerous part of the fireworks manufacturing process, the expert said one could never tell what triggered an explosion.
The expert, who did not want to be named, said certain work, like the mixing of explosives, should be done outside because open space was important to avoid the inhalation of gases.
Answering questions by The Times, AFM Brigadier Martin Xuereb said the Fireworks Inspectorate Unit inspected all fireworks factories and identified shortcomings that needed to be addressed.
No further information was offered about such shortcomings, although Brig. Xuereb said the unit was expected to start its second round of inspections next month to ensure that the flaws had been rectified.
The unit was set up by the government in the last quarter of 2008 to advise on the standards of manufacture and storage with the aim of minimising fireworks incidents.
Brig. Xuereb pointed out that the army's Explosive Ordnance Unit did not carry out any inspections.
Police Commissioner John Rizzo said that, although it was premature to talk about the case since investigations were still under way, it did not look like anything illegal was going on at the Qormi factory because it had the necessary permits.