More sad news from Malta (or Gozo)

[Vavoom]

I just read that a fireworks factory exploded in Gozo in the early hours of Friday the 19th of August. Thank God no one was hurt. This is the second big explosion within a few weeks time. Is something going on?

More background info in these two related newspaper articles:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=196816
http://217.145.4.56/ind/news.asp?newsitemid=20236

 

[999]

It's impossible for me to say what happened - but many Maltese factories use highly sensitive compositions for special effects most people don't want to make. Chlorate + antimony sulfide flash for example. When you work with highly sensitive compositions (and some reactives) no matter how good the workers are, we are still humans and can make mistakes. There are other things, like lightning strikes.. I have heard of one factory that was blown up because of a lightning strike. |

It is sad, there has been a lot of death, injuries and destruction this year.

 

[Vinnie]

Explosion at fireworks factory
by Editor di-ve.com


GOZO, Malta (di-ve news)--August 19 , 2005 - 0900CEST--No-one was injured when a fireworks container exploded at the Gharb factory this morning.

A police report said that at about 0100CEST on Friday morning, the police were called in after a fireworks factory exploded in Birbuba Street, Gharb.

Luckily there was nobody on site when the explosion occurred. The Gozo District Police are carrying out the investigations. Duty Magistrate Paul Coppini appointed various experts to help in the inquiry.

(file photo)

text found here


____________________________________________________________


VALLETTA, Malta (di-ve news) -- August 20, 2005 -- 0915CEST --The massive fireworks factory explosion outside Gharb, Gozo, on Friday morning dominates the front pages of Saturday's local newspapers.

The Times, under the headline "Explosion flattens Gozo fireworks factory", reports that no one was injured in a massive fireworks factory explosion that shook Gozo in the early hours of Friday morning. However, several homes were damaged in a residential area some distance away. In another story, the same newspaper reports that thirty farmers have filed a judicial protest claiming that the land they farmed in Manikata was being taken away from them illegally and abusively in order to make way for a golf course.

The Malta Independent dedicates its front page to a story about an 86-year old Maltese women who after 73 years in Tunisia has returned to her homeland -- "Back 'home' after 73 years". In another headline, the same newspaper says "Fireworks factory blast in Gharb".

In-Nazzjon also reports on the Gharb fireworks factory explosion on Friday under the headline "Explosion destroys a private fireworks complex", saying that no one was injured in this explosion. The same newspaper also gives prominence to NSO's latest figures revealing a drop of 1,139 in unemployment over the last year.

L-Orizzont, apart from its report about the fireworks factory explosion, reveals how the Avian Flu is extending outside the South East of Asia while the Maltese government is adding on extra pressure on pharmacists by demanding from them the details of all those persons who have ordered the antiviral.

found here :

_______________________________________________________________

 

[Luqa - Malta]

Gozo Factory

Hello All,
about the gharb factory in Gozo. It is a private fireworks factory owned by 2 brothers (farrugia) they produce fireworks for more than one local feast but unlike other factories they sell it to towns and villages in Gozo and Malta for money not volunteers. They do have some nice products.

Unfortunately the explosion occured for no explainable reason. The factory was closed! no one was working there. All machines were shut down. What Happened? Some say it could have been a mouse..... Some say it could have been a bad intention by someone..... I guess its hard to find any evidences amongst that distruction....

It was 2 years ago wht a fireworks factory of qormi was hit by lightning. There was only gun powder stored... no shells.
Unfortunately One member of this same factory (St.Sebastian Fireworks Factory Qormi) just died tragicaly at the end of last month (26th July I belive..) There was no explosion.... but the Star press machine fell on him and he was crushed.... very sad as it could have been avoided and it was no fireworks mistake but it was something taht could have happened anywere even in a bedroom.

I love fireworks and the maltese feast but honestly I feel very sad with all this happening this year. In our show one of our members suffered burns in what could easily have been worse... But thank god he is ok.

Most factories in Malta are well organized but the urge for better stars or better effects then the competition may sometimes get out of hand.

Having said this, rest assured that the Maltese fireworks enthusiasts are always doing their best to improve safety as well. maybe the maltese authorities need to give a hand here and a push...because after all fireworks in Malta are culture and thus it needs to be protected by the government as well.

 

[jonmif]

also another man from Zebbug died on the 14th august in the explosien of the foireworks factoy. 3 dead total

 

[Vavoom]

Article on fireworks safety measures

In relation with the post by member Luqa-Malta I thought it was interesting to post the article below. It was published in the Malta Independent on the 21st of August 2005.

Fireworks safety measures
by J. Falzon


I am writing this article with the love for fireworks in mind but also with concern for the safety of fire-workers and the public in general, including the surrounding buildings – factories and private houses.

Maltese fireworks are actually quite unique. Many foreigners, both fireworks manufacturers and enthusiasts alike from all over the world consider Malta as the land for fireworks. Keeping this accomplishment and pride we have for our unique tradition in mind, I must ask both the general public but mostly the authorities to listen but most of all to take action in what needs to be done before we hear about another tragedy of a main fireworks factory accident next year.

As regards the laws on fireworks and their factories, I must point out that the laws should be changed and based on real facts following studies, which must be done soon. There is one law which states that mixing should not be done at night. This law seems inappropriate as mixing should not be done at midday in very high temperatures and should be avoided in the summer months. Mixing machines should be modern, be in the best condition and clean. Mobile mixing machines should be encouraged as they are easy to transport away from the factory to a safe area, which should include adequate shelter for the same machines while mixing. Workers should also avoid getting too close to the mixers while mixing is in progress. These are only little things I am pointing out that could save lives in case of accidents.

One important law that must be enforced is how the factories should be planned and built. According to my own calculations, only a number of factories, which you can count on one hand, are up to date when it comes to appropriate barrier walls between rooms and very importantly the distance between each room, as well as the difference between work shops and stores. From the different factories I personally assisted in, shells are still being kept in work shops because there is not enough room in the stores since the production of fireworks has climbed steadily in the last 15 years. Also there must be correct information on how much fireworks and chemicals can be stored in the factory at the same time.

As for the chemicals, each type has its own different characteristics and some do not mix with others. Some chemicals need to be stored at certain temperatures and others can react to movement. This list can go on and on. My point is that proper training and a knowledge of chemistry should be compulsory before any person obtains any kind of licence to produce fireworks. Correct and detailed studies must also be carried out in order to state which chemicals should be blacklisted. One must also keep in mind that besides chemicals, different materials are used to produce effects and these are usually mixed with chemicals. Some chemicals are not compatible with some materials.

I could go on forever but I must come to the point, that the laws on the manufacture of fireworks and fireworks factories need to be adjusted where appropriate, but most of all they need to be enforced! The laws should state clearly and correctly what type of chemicals and materials can and cannot be used when making fireworks and what temperatures, including humid conditions, would be appropriate for workers. I hope that more people from the general public as well as fireworks enthusiasts voice their messages of concern for safety and enforcement of the law.

 

[Vavoom]

My comments on the article about safety measures

I could not resist sending a short message with comments on the article about safety measures to the Malta Independent. A copy of that message is posted below.

Hello,

<snip>
From the 5th till the 16th of August I visited Malta, met with a lot of fellow fireworkers and also visited a few factories.

With relation to the article I would like to comment that in every respectable fireworks textbook there are so-called fireworks-laws or fireworks-morals which state "don't mix this with that", "if you do this, that might happen". Those textbooks also describe the sensitivity of certain mixtures to friction, shock, static electricity, moisture, etc.. As far as I can judge the licensees of the factories are very well aware of the do's and dont's when it involves the manufacturing of fireworks.

I agree with the author that it's important to work as safely as possible (involving both the manufacturer and the general public) and that certain laws should be enforced, but I would like to emphasize that one should be careful not to end up with an over-regulated government. The latter is exactly what happened in the Netherlands after the explosion of a fireworksstorage (not a factory) in the city of Enschede in May 2000.

Before the accident in Enschede laws were not being enforced correctly by people who know what they are dealing with. E.g. the local government approved that the amount of fireworks stored exceeded the maximum amount that could be stored according to rules and regulations. I'm not trying to pinpoint a scapegoat here, but after the accident everyone blamed the fireworks business.

After the accident new laws were "invented" by the government in The Hague, who are not obstructed by any level of knowledge on the subject. Those new laws are so strict that hardly any of the existing fireworks companies could live up to them. E.g. their storage was too close to surrounding buildings and displays had to be cancelled or scaled down in calibre because of the safety distance to surrounding buildings and the public. As a result a lot of the companies had to shut down, which was a death blow to a flourishing industry.

In conclusion: The law should be enforced and might be adjusted here and there, but please do not over-regulate and please use the knowledge that fireworks manufacturers have.

Kind regards,
<snip>

 

[jonmif]

BALZAN, Malta, (di-ve news) -- September 14, 2005 -- 1130CEST -- Updated 1315CEST -- A 58-year old man from Lija died in a fireworks explosion at the St. Gabriel Fireworks Factory in Balzan at around 0845CEST on Wednesday morning.

Two other persons that were on the site at the time of the accident were not injured.

From the preliminary investigations carried out, the Police found that the man was working on some explosive material known as 'tal-berqa' when this exploded in his hands.

There was no structural damage to the buildings of the fireworks factory.

The Police, led by Magistrate Antonio Mizzi, are carrying out further investigations.

The explosion is the third one at a fireworks factory this year, after blasts in Zebbug, which claimed the lives of three men, and in Gharb, Gozo. In another tragic accident, a fourth man died while carrying out cleansing works at a fireworks factory in Qormi.

 

[jonmif]

October 12 2005 1950CEST
Man injured in fireworks factory
Albert Bondin from Qrendi was injured while working in Lourdes fireworks factory in Qrendi. While mixing chemicals ( beraq ), the man was severely injured in his face, hands and chest. The man was hospitalised and is being kept for further medical attention.

 

[Vavoom]

October 12 2005 1950CEST
Man injured in fireworks factory
Albert Bondin from Qrendi was injured while working in Lourdes fireworks factory in Qrendi. While mixing chemicals ( beraq ), the man was severely injured in his face, hands and chest. The man was hospitalised and is being kept for further medical attention.

I'm sorry to hear this.
Isn't this the second accident in Qrendi this year?
If so, was it the same factory?

 

[jonmif]

No, it's the first accident there at Qrendi.

Fireworks' manufacturer succumbs to injuries
by Paul Cachia, di-ve news (pcachia@di-ve.com)


G'MANGIA, Malta (di-ve news)--October 21, 2005 - 1100CEST--A 52-year-old Mqabba man who suffered burns while manufacturing fireworks in Qrendi, succumbed to injuries at the Intensive Therapy Unit, the police said.

Albert Bondin is the latest in a series of fireworks fatalities over the past months.

Robert Farrugia, 58, known as Robbie of Balzan died on September 14 when a mixture of explosives he was handling blew up in his hands.

The Gharb fireworks factory was razed to the ground by a violent explosion on the night of August 19. The explosion shook Gozo, damaging houses in a residential area some distance away. Nobody was on site when the blast occurred.

Carmelo Cauchi, 40, of Qormi was crushed to death by a press he was cleaning at the St Sebastian factory in Wied ic-Cawsli, Qormi on July 26.

Antoine Cilia, 36, of Dingli, and Charles Farrugia, 59, of Zebbug died on July 5 when blasts ripped through the factory of St Joseph's De Rohan Band Club in Wied Qirda, Siggiewi. Joe Zammit, 38, who had suffered serious burns and fractures in the same incident died in hospital six weeks later.

 

[jonmif]

Explosion at fireworks factory
No one was injured on Sunday night when a chemical reaction caused an explosion at the Socjeta' Stella Luqa Fireworks Factory at Kandja, limits off Siggiewi.

The explosion took place at around 2100CET. Police said no one was injured as a result of the explosion. Qormi police are investigating

 

[Luqa - Malta]

Yes this happened at around 9pm yesterday. Only one room suffered damage. No one was injured thank god.

This is the factory of the other band club in Luqa.

It is not found in the limits of Siggiewi. It is found in Hal-Farrug, limits of Luqa and Qormi.

The factory is not called the La' Stella! It is called the 'Saint Andrew's Band Club Fireworks Factory'.

News reports sometimes just fire things out. From yesterday til today. In about only 12 hours I've heard about a dozen names wich the factory had been given and about another dozen locations were they said this factory is found.

Up to know the best explenation for this explosion is that the 'Berqa' chemicals which is at this time of the year being mixed had a reaction.

It's a pity that since summer 2005 till sumer 2006 there seems to be a record of fireworks accidents which cant seem to stop!

and thus I ask; Is there some kind of bad chemicals being imported? :r

 

[jonmif]

I think that there should be some kind of tests that should be carried out before the material is distributed to the local factories.
I think that the quality of the material is not the same or that the peolpe are experimenting to the limits of chemistry.

If the wind direction was in the other reverse direction the other working and storage rooms could be easily burnt up today.

 

[999]

Is it true that Berqa tiny insert shells will commonly 'smoke' after being pasted in and let to dry? (a reaction with magnesium and water)

I understand that colored flash usually uses magnesium, which we know reacts in a serious way with moisture. I have wondered how you can take a chlorate/magnesium salute, paste it in with water based paste, and then punch a hole in the case with a metal awl for fusing. The whole process seems so dangerous. Water to the magnesium and friction to the chlorate flash. In my eyes, it is a miracle that it goes together without problems as often as it does! I seem to recall being told that it's normal for them to smoke when drying, but maybe I heard wrong or misunderstood the message? Sooooo dangerous!

You guys take the biggest risks, but certainly come out with the highest quality shells.

 

[Luqa - Malta]

It does not mean that the chemicals are bad, its just one option. In Malta a national laboratory should be set up and test every chemical that enters Malta. This is a must. Like many other countires that do have these laboratories.

Regarding the Berqa with water and Magnesium and the metal insert. I dont realy know. I will try to find out.

 

[jonmif]

I'll have to check out if there is a national laboratory here to check out the incoming material quality. Last few weeks I have benn contacted by a friend of mine whom is studying chemistries, and he told me that he had an assignment to do in a place where there are mixture of chemicals used. He told me that he was going to make the assignment on the fireworks factories since there is a vast mixtue of chemicals being used.

I'll contact him shortly to see what he had done about it or if he still tends to do it.

 

[magg]

It's impossible for me to say what happened - but many Maltese factories use highly sensitive compositions for special effects most people don't want to make. Chlorate + antimony sulfide flash for example. When you work with highly sensitive compositions (and some reactives) no matter how good the workers are, we are still humans and can make mistakes. There are other things, like lightning strikes.. I have heard of one factory that was blown up because of a lightning strike. |

It is sad, there has been a lot of death, injuries and destruction this year.

I think the problem is in the used materials. I said before something about magnesium and now I want to add that this metal is not dangerous and it is used for many products (more at http://www.magnesium.com) and ofcourse in many chemical experiments, but not mostly

 

[-Theshadow-]

there are no real hazards about using magnesium, if they are good pyrotechnicians they know that magnesium is supposed to be coated with linseed oil, or even better: potassium dichromate.

i agree with the lines you said that the main reason for the extreme sensitivity of the maltese shells is that they use potassiumchlorate combined with (dark) Alu powder (wich is also used in good german fireworks, no big deal) but the problem is they add antimony trisulfide for some extra sharp bangs. It's not strange that antimonytrisulfide is banned as a component of flashpowders...

it should only be used in some glitter formula's.

another thing you could think about is the use of potassiumchlorate combined with sulfur, they don't see the danger in it on Malta... if it goes good 10 times, the 11th time it also will, wrong. You never know when pyrotechnic materials have a bad day, it can be today, tomorrow or never !

i agree, the nostalgic use of chemicals on Malta should stay intact, but stop using antimony trisulfide in flash mixes. Especially when they are chlorate based(like 99,9% of the fireworks on malta).