New fireworks regulations require persons letting off fireworks or manufacturing them be insured against a personal and third party liability sum of not less than €300,000 protecting the insured over any damage which may result from an explosion.
Another major change, Joseph St John, the person responsible for policies at the Home Affairs Ministry, said involves the mixing of chemicals whereby the use of a further two chemicals has been prohibited. These are an add mixture of potassium chlorate and metals in any flash composition, and an add mixture of potassium chlorate and charcoal.
Suppliers of chemicals will also have to conform by purity levels established by law.
There were no amendments made to the law tied to the noise of fireworks or the distance between a factory and residences, the distance remaining that of 180 metres.
Regarding the packaging of fireworks, it will now be possible to wrap aerial fireworks not exceeding 9.5cms in plastic instead of cardboard. All other fireworks are to be wrapped in cardboard. Metallic casings remain prohibited.
As things stood, fireworks factories could purchase up to 1,150 kgs of potassium chlorate but following an amendment to the law, this amount has been reduced to 1,000kgs.
Moreover, the limit on the use of potassium nitrate is that of 3,200kgs.
Ramona Attard, Home Affairs Ministry spokesperson, said that fireworks regulations have been implemented to enhance safety without removing the sustainability of the sector, which includes important aspects such as tourism.
A minor amendment is related to refresher courses. Firework handlers will undergo a refresher course every five years instead of every two years. According to the ministry, the fact that one had to undergo a refresher every two years was considered to be a “bureaucratic procedure”.
Four months ago, the Church’s environment commission welcomed the government’s public consultation related to fireworks factory complexes, expressing satisfaction that the document looked at ways to safeguard the lives of those who manufacture fireworks and other individuals who can be affected as a result of this industry.
The commission noted that the number of firework factories had decreased along the years due to the many incidents that occurred while also noting a decrease in permits issued for new factories to be built.
It also noted that due to bad planning, a number of permits had been issued in the past for factories to be built near residences.
On the committee specially set up to deal with this document, the commission had said it hoped the members of the committee appointed were technical experts. PL MP Michael Falzon, who recently was appointed parliamentary secretary for planning, heads the committee.
Turning to landscaping, the commission said that while it welcomes the importance which is being given to reduce the visual impact on the environment, the commission pointed out that trees which stand close to the factories may pose a danger since lightning strikes the tallest of objects, in this case trees.