Bangkok, The Department of Occupational Health and Safety releases information on pyrotechnic production. There may be dangers from fire, explosion, and exposure to chemicals. getting loud and dangers from heat The Department of Occupational Health and Safety under the Ministry of Public Health publishes information about: 'Danger from the production of fireworks' by the Ministry of Public Health is one of 5 agencies responsible for regulating the production, trade, possession, and transportation of fireworks and raw materials used in firework production according to the Ministry of Defense announcement. Ministry of Interior Ministry of Public Health Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Industry regarding the criteria for controlling and supervising the production, trade, possession, and transportation of fireworks and raw materials used in the production of fireworks, B.E. 2004 For fireworks it is A product or mixture designed When heat is generated, it causes color, light, sound, or smoke in various way s. By the process of combustion, ignition and explosion. There are many different types of sparklers. They differ in the composition of the raw materials used in production and the packaging and compression into different shapes. Can be divided into 2 main types: 1. Small fireworks (Consumer fireworks) are used for entertainment and produce beautiful colors, sound or smoke. The amount of each explosive ingredient must not exceed 50 milligrams, including firecrackers, cold fires, small firecrackers, crowns, garlic, water chestnuts, etc. 2. Large fireworks that are more powerful than small fireworks (Display fireworks) are used for displays in wide, open areas. Users must be skilled. They have only been trained in using them before, such as large firecrackers and large Roman candles. large waterfall fireworks and fireworks used as letters, etc. There are 5 types of chemicals used in the production of fireworks: 1. Chemicals that provide oxygen (Oxidizing agents) in firework reactions rely only on insuffici ent oxygen from the air. It is necessary to rely on some or all of the oxygen from oxygen-producing substances, including: Potassium nitrate or saltpeter Potassium chlorate, which is used as a flower and fruit stimulant for longan. (has had an explosion) and potassium perchlorate 2. Chemicals used as fuels during combustion include charcoal, sulfur, zinc, flour, magnesium, carbonate powder, and aluminum powder, etc. 3. Substances that help in the adhesion of ingredients (Binder) such as flour, sugar, etc. 4. Chemicals used as coloring agents are mostly salts of various metals. When it receives the force of an explosion and turns into vapor, it will cause various colored bands. according to the wavelength of the metal salt, for example, the red color is obtained from strontium nitrate. The green color is obtained from barium nitrate, etc. 5. Black powder is a mixture consisting of potassium nitrate, sulfur and charcoal powder. Black powder makes it easy to ignite. sensitive to shock and friction, so it is used in almost every type of firework to help ignite the firework As for the hazards that arise from the fireworks production process, there are 4 risks: fire and explosion hazards. Danger from exposure to chemicals Danger from loud noises and dangers from heat - Danger of fire and explosion Most often it occurs at manufacturing plants and warehouses. Each time the incident resulted in many deaths and injuries. In addition, property is lost to both the business operator and others in the vicinity because the chemicals used in the production process are high-quality fuels. It is a substance that gives oxygen. and is a substance that easily catches fire Sensitive to shock and friction. Therefore, when using drilling tools that generate heat or sparks, smoking, demonstrations or experiments in production areas, they will cause an immediate explosion and ignition. Storing large quantities of fireworks in a warehouse can cause friction or falling of the fireworks. Or even storing chemicals used in the production of large quantities of fireworks in the same area where fireworks are produced may cause them to react with each other and cause them to ignite and explode. - Danger from exposure to chemicals People who work in the production of firewood will be exposed to chemicals from the production process. Each type has different hazards such as Potassium perchlorate causes skin irritation. upper respiratory system Sulfur or sulfur substances cause red eyes. Skin inflammation, shortness of breath, irritation of the respiratory system. Potassium nitrate If touched, it will cause irritation to the skin and mucosa. If swallowed, it can cause nausea, diarrhea, and muscle weakness. barium nitrate It is very toxic and can cause irritation to the ears, eyes, nose, and skin. It can damage the liver, spleen, and can also cause paralysis in the arms and legs, and in some cases, death. - Danger from loud noises Often caused by fireworks being fired in performance tests. and those who buy to use in various tasks According to a st udy by the Department of Health and Environment, it was found that the sound pressure level from the explosion of firewood hammers, mostly the impact sound, was higher than 130 cels A at a distance of 4 meters from the sound source, which is higher than the standard of the Health Organization. The world limit is 85 dB A. Sound levels above 130 dB A will result in temporary deafness. If taken for a long time, it can cause permanent deafness. - Danger from heat Some sparklers are heated to very high temperatures, around 1,200 - 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, which can cause skin burns or blindness, for example. Fireworks called fireworks, when lit, give out various colors, etc. Preventing dangers that may occur in fireworks production establishments such as - Should not cause friction or excessive heat with the materials that wrap the firework or suppress fire, such as Using an electric drill to drill into the rocket wrapping material should be done before the gunpowder and other chemicals are loaded. - Do not s tore large amounts of pyrotechnic products in the warehouse because they may fall or fall, causing collisions and explosions. - Unused chemicals should be kept separately from the production process and should be divided and used sparingly. Different types of substances should not be kept in the same place, e.g. Sulfur and potassium perchlorate If mixed together, it can cause an explosion. In addition, using substances sparingly also prevents violent incidents. - The laboratory should be separated from areas where pyrotechnic products and chemicals used as raw materials are stored. - You should use personal protective equipment such as gloves, a mask to protect against particles of that chemical, glasses, earmuffs to protect from noise, etc. - Do not smoke or have any sparks or heat sources. It may cause explosions and fires in areas where firewood hammers are produced. Area where chemicals and raw materials used in the production process are stored. - Employees who produce firewood hammers should be edu cated about the dangers that may occur and how to work properly to prevent dangers that may occur. - Firework production buildings should not be located in areas with community areas or near residences or in the same area as residences. - The temperature inside the production building should be controlled so that the air is not too hot because it will cause the chemicals used in the production of fire sticks to ignite and explode by themselves. - All electrical equipment used in production buildings should be explosion proof. - Firework production buildings must have good design and construction such as It should be a one-story building. There is no basement or mezzanine. Use materials that are resistant to explosion or fire. - The interior of the building storing explosives, chemicals, and fireworks products should be cleaned regularly. and keep the inside of the building clean and dry at all times Do not leave any scraps of paper, dust, or other garbage inside the building. For brooms or equipment used for cleaning, they must not have metal parts that can cause sparks. in storing explosives Chemicals used in the production or production of fireworks products within buildings The same type of substance should be placed in the same area and labeled with a label or symbol showing the type of substance so that it can be seen easily and clearly. Source: Thai News Agency