The weekly TVM discussion programme Dissett has just tackled an explosive topic: fireworks. To some, fireworks is a sacred cow while to others they would sooner have the cow hanged, drawn and quartered.

In my opinion, both perspectives are extreme but, because of the potential danger associated to this hobby, the manufacture process and the factory must be inspected and certified annually by professional auditors. This hobby must be treated with respect, not as if it is a lace-making concern. These voluntary amateurs are handling dangerous explosives in their spare time. So far, we had more than two deaths per annum for the past 10 years, 22 too many tragedies!

According to the two gentlemen interviewed on the programme, we are clueless about the cause of the fatalities for the past years. One said that when an accident happens, only the poor soul directly involved might have known what caused the tragedy. This does not input anything to a risk hazard assessment! Therefore, in the light of all the available information, I could not fathom how on earth the Fireworks Inspectorate Unit could find ways and means to do the job! Since 2008, there were three fatalities, excluding the near misses! Is this effective control and prevention?

Both gentlemen concur what the insurance agent emphasised: 50 per cent of the factories cannot be insured due to severe shortcomings regarding health and safety requirements! The often repeated phrase that a lot still has to be done or there is room for improvement is all hogwash. Whatever must be done should have been done ages ago! There had been enough reports and recommendations for this to happen!

The regulations stipulated by EU Directive 2007/23/, which had been transposed by Malta, and the UK HCE regulation regarding pyrotechnics were not discussed during the Dissett programme, therefore, it is pertinent to highlight the following observations:

1. What is the syllabus one has to follow to obtain a licence? How often is the syllabus revised? Is the syllabus set to international standards?

2. Is fire extinguishing equipment available? Who is responsible for its maintenance?

3. Are safety regulations and procedure available?

4. Who is responsible in the factory when the work is in progress?

5. What is the storage procedure for explosives and work in progress?

6. Does the factory structure minimise the force of an explosion?

7. Is fire drill part of the safety plan? Who is responsible for hazard assessment?

8. Are the explosives stored in fire-retardant spaces?

9. Who is responsible for the record statement of acquisition, storing and eventual use or disposal of explosives?

10. Is there an automatic fire-detecting system to raise the alarm when the premises is unattended.

11. What are the penalties for the infringement of the regulations and who is liable?

12. Is the Occupation Health and Safety Authority involved in training with regard to safety procedures?

One of the guests emphasised that a fireworks accident is high profile, especially when a life is lost. But all accidents involving loss of life are high profile such as, for instance, deaths in traffic accidents! On the other hand, we must not forget the near misses, some of which are listed below:

2010 - Għargħur: two men escaped unhurt when a huge explosion rocked the San Bartolomeo fireworks factory.

2009 - St Julians: a series of explosions on a barge filled with fireworks in Balluta Bay shook St Julians.

The Għaxaq St Joseph fireworks factory exploded; no one was hurt.

Floriana: A boy, 13, who was with a group of friends near the St Publius parish church, was injured during the opening stages of the Floriana fireworks festival when fireworks in one of the Catherine wheels exploded and hit him close to the eye. The boy was way behind the perimeter established by police barriers, eyewitnesses said.

Għaxaq: A woman suffered fireworks burns to her face, neck and chest in St Philip Square.

2008- Żebbuġ.: A boy, 14, was playing with fireworks in Vjal il-Ħelsien when he badly injured his hand.

2006 - Ħal-Farruġ: No one was injured when a room packed with pyrotechnic petards at a fireworks factory exploded.

Cospicua: Two men and a boy were slightly injured after some material used for fireworks exploded.

Vittoriosa: A container full of petards exploded on a barge off Fort St Angelo during the feast of St Lawrence.

As regard noise, one of the programme guests rightly said that it will be naïve to expect the eradication of noise from fireworks displays. But the majority of the Maltese are only asking for the removal or control of petards because the noise generated is a physical and physiological hazard.

The noise measured is in excess of 130dB (A) at an average distance of 120 metres from source, which is in contravention of the EU directive that lays down that noise must not exceed 120dB (A) from the safe distance.