Ergonomic Hazards in Local Fireworks Factories
Stanley Azzopardi
Abstract: The objective of this paper is to review the practices, postures and workstations in Maltese fireworks factories which may cause back pain and musculoskeletal disorders to fireworkers. Hazards varying from the toxicity of substances used to produce colours and pyro-effects up to ergonomic adversities that such processes impose upon the workers are present in these factories. At fireworks factories, the ergonomic aspects are not considered important and this is mainly attributed to the financial aspects and traditional methods of manufacturing. Rivalry between local fireworks factories fuels this passion which forces the voluntary fireworkers to increase or maintain their yearly production and hence their exposure to such ergonomic hazards. Literature that specifically discusses ergonomics or fireworks manufacturing is readily available, but literature which combines both topics is difficult to find. Even the local legislation, mainly the Explosives Ordinance (Laws of Malta – Chapter 33) and the Occupational Health and Safety Authority Act (Laws of Malta – Chapter 424), do not cross reference each other to provide fireworkers with suitable and systematic guidelines. For this pilot study a questionnaire was designed for use as an investigative tool, to help understand the cause of fireworkers’ complaints of aches and pains (if any) during fireworks manufacturing. Results, gathered from 51 licensed fireworkers indicated that the manufacturing processes are the cause of pains located mainly in the upper part of the body. The respondents reported their pains as being frequent or occasional during an average six hour production day. Further discussion argues that these fireworks enthusiasts (the respondents) consider these reported pains as part of their job at the fireworks factories. These illnesses and ailments may be causes of minor and/or major accidents during the processes. These may even end up in injuries, deaths, news sensationalism and resurfacing protests by anti-fireworks citizens.
Keywords: fireworks, fireworkers, ergonomic hazards, work practices, time
Ref: JPyro, Issue 28, 2009, pp112-121
(J28_112) Share on Facebook
Note: There is supplementary information available for this article - please Click Here to download
Download/Purchase Options :
You must be logged in to purchase or download articles.
ESI for Ergonomic Hazards in Local Fireworks Factories – Azzopardi
The questionairre (in English and Maltese) used for this survey is available below
Download/Purchase Options :
You must be logged in to purchase or download articles.
2010 pricing information
Please download the 2010 pricing information. We are now able to offer most subscriptionsn via PayPal payment on this website
PLEASE NOTE:- Electronic only access to individual articles or issues is automatic from the respective page on this site, but other subscriptions are enabled manually – this may take up to 48 hours
1 year access to entire archive
2 year access to entire archive
Unlimited access to entire achive
Prepayment Single Issue – electronic access only
Prepayment Single Issue – hard copy only
Prepayment Single Issue – Electronic and hard copy
Single current issue – hard copy only
Single Hard Copy – Issues 27 onwards
Single hard Copy – issues 1-26
Subscription agencies – please contact us for details of discounted pricing for multiple subscribers
Share on FacebookDownload/Purchase Options :
You must be logged in to purchase or download articles.
2010 ACS Calendar
The American Chemical Society have publsihed, online and in hard copy, their 2010 “Colors of Chemistry” calendar.
January references the Journal of Pyrotechnics paper Copper in Pyrotechnics
It is well worth a download of the calendar, or seeing if you can get a hard copy - it contains some nice images
Share on FacebookJournal of Pyrotechnics – Issue 28
J28 is now complete and the hard copy of J28 is now in production and will be available shortly. We have now (27/1/10) received them from the printer – and they will be distributed shortly.
For a list of contents please go here
Share on Facebook