Kerala - Kochi   

Mixed response to curbs on fireworks Educate workers

The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation has come out with several suggestions to avoid hazards during fireworks displays in Kerala, including avoidance of the use of potassium chlorate and increase in the distance between the display site and the spectators. Do you think such measures are sufficient to ensure safety? Our readers respond:

PLAYING WITH FIRE: Celebration time.

Educate workers

A ban or mere suggestions cannot avert accidents during fireworks displays. The accidents are often caused by the unscientific manner in which fireworks are manufactured. Most of the workers are poor and live in hutments. They do not possess the requisite skills or scientific knowledge. Instead of banning chemical explosives, we should educate these people on how to handle the chemicals safely. The workers should be provided safety equipment and scientific guidance. Above all, it is important to enforce law to curb such accidents.

Jis Mathew

Thodupuzha

Special cell needed

Fireworks displays are integral to the festivals of Kerala. Unfortunately, may people have died in accidental explosions during the manufacture of fireworks or during pyrotechnic displays. Most Keralites feel that temple festivals are incomplete without fireworks. Hence, the organisers should take steps to minimise risks during fireworks displays. Modern fireworks are made of perchlorite organic substances, potassium cholates and metals.

These days, contract workers perform fireworks displays. A special cell needs to be constituted to organise awareness programmes among the workers and help reduce the risks during their work. The workers under different contractors should be provided insurance cover. The insurance should cover the workers as well as their families. The site of the fireworks display should be at least half a kilometre from the venue of the festival. The public should be prevented from entering the site. The sheds for the manufacture of fireworks should be made fireproof. The workers should be made to wear fireproof jackets during their working hours. The organisers of the festival should arrange a 24-hour medical clinic near the site. It will help provide medical aid in the event of any accidents. Fireworks displays are a custom, especially at the Thrissur Pooram.

Accidents and deaths during the preparation or display of fireworks were unheard of in the past. The workers now seem to be reckless and indulge in smoking and drinking. Moreover, the ingredients of the fireworks should be tested in order to avoid the use of fake chemicals. A special cell needs to be constituted to look into the matters to curb negligence.

Krishna K

Kochi

Ensure safety

In Kerala, during the festive season, accidents occur during fireworks displays. The main cause of accidents during the conduct of festival fireworks is the lack of knowledge on the part of both the organisers and the Government officials. Many of the festival organisers are unaware of the rules pertaining to the use of chemicals. As per the rules, the manufacture, storage and use of `gundu,' `kuzhiminal' used in most fireworks are banned items. The Supreme Court of India had banned the admixture of sulphur and any sulphurate with potassium in any form. One way to ensure sufficient safety during fireworks displays is by using standardised fireworks, such as those made by authorised manufacturers in Sivakasi. Senior authorities and officials like the District Collector should be present to monitor the fireworks displays. Many of the Government officials are unaware of the fact that the manufacture and possession of any explosive consisting of or containing sulphur or sulphurate in admixture with chlorate of potassium or any other chlorate is prohibited affair as per a Government notification.

P. Anurada

Patturaickal

Inspection needed

The tendency to use crackers during festivities is on the rise in Kerala. Pooram committees compete to display the most spectacular of the fireworks displays. This often causes hazards and endangers spectators. Indiscriminate use of explosives containing chemicals such as potassium chlorate can result in explosions. The various measures suggested by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation to check untoward incidents as well as ensure public safety are welcome. The authorities, however, should take steps to adhere implement the suggestions. Violation of any kind should be strictly dealt with through means such as imprisonment, cancellation of license.

Stipulations for production, storage and display, including the distance between the site and the spectators should be ensured through regular inspections.

Production of crackers should not be allowed in the open, but in sheds set up for the purpose. Spectators should maintain a safe distance from the display site. In addition to this, awareness campaigns should be organised for the benefit of festival organisers and committees. The cultural aspects should be accorded more importance.

V. Viswanathan Nambiar

Thrissur

Insurance cover

In order to avoid accidents during fireworks displays, the following precautions could be taken: the use of potassium chlorates for the manufacture of fireworks should be minimised. The people should keep a distance of at least 1 km from the site of display.

If the temples or churches have no place for fireworks display, it should be conducted in paddy fields or open space. The workers should be trained before the fireworks displays and told to take safety measures.

Donning boiler suits and safety jackets will help to minimise work-related accidents. They should be warned against smoking and drinking while at work.

The workers should be given insurance cover as it will help provide financial aid to their family in the event of any casualty. A medical team with an ambulance and medicines should be kept ready at the site.

Neelandon Kuruvattoor

Ottappalam

Thodupuzha

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