scientific research service cie conference 2013, oviedo/e accidents involving category 4 fireworks...

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Accidents involving category 4 fireworks in Switzerland

Dr Konrad SchlatterHead of SRSPhone +41 44 411 97 [email protected]@stp.stzh.ch

www.wfd-srs.ch


Category 4 fireworks

•may not be sold by retail trade

•may not be distributed to people under

age 18•may be sold by sales personnel only

after instructing buyers on the use of the

fireworks

Legal provisions on sale and use of category 4 fireworks


Instruction checklist for cat. 4 fireworks

The buyer has to be briefed onthe following points:

•permit / insurance•transportation•storage•cordon•influence of weather•safety distances•soil conditions•fixation•ignition•check after display•part-fired or "dud" fireworks•mode of operation•special risks


Case 1: Fireworks display Oensingen


Information/Instructions on the shell packaging


Safety measures


Instructions on the shell packaging


Destroyed mortar

ca. 160 cm


Launching site


Impingement of steel fragments


Impact site of a metal fragment


Impingement of steel fragments


Art. 225, Swiss Criminal CodeMisuse of explosives or toxic gases without criminal intent or through negligence

Art. 225, Swiss Criminal Code

1Any person who wilfully but without

criminal intent endangers the life and limb or the

property of others through the use of explosives or

toxic gases is liable to a custodial sentence not

exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty.

2In minor cases, a fine may be imposed.


Penalty


Case 2: Firework accident, August 1, 2007


Safety instructions delivered by the seller

Pay strict attention never to keep the head or any body parts over the battery

Do not use the quick match


Fax document confirming instruction

"Ple

as

e f

ax

th

e s

ign

ed

do

cu

me

nt

ba

ck

to

nu

mb

er

…"

summary confirmation ofconducted instructionnoted by the seller


Battery Quattro Stagione; alteration

unmodified batteryfor comparision

involved battery


Battery Quattro Stagione


Conviction due to:

•Failure to duly instruct the buyer as

provided by the law

•Selling and shipping a defective

pyrotechnic item

Reasons for conviction(of first instance)


Penalty


Technical investigation

• No evidence for malfunction / unforeseen explosion

• Original state of the fuses forensically not verifiable

• Sequence of firing forensically not conclusively determinable

• Energy of pyrotechnic pellets expelled from bombette insufficient to fracture facial bones


Answering questions


Thank you for your attention

scientific research service cie conference 2013, oviedo/e accidents involving category 4 fireworks...

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