LETTERS: I refer to the fireworks explosion that happened at the Sentul police headquarters exhibits store on April 26 evening.
The explosion brings back memories of the Bright Sparklers fireworks factory explosion that happened on May 7, 1991 in Kampung Baru, Sungai Buloh.
Both incidents happened because of negligence in handling fireworks.
The Bright Sparklers blast which was described as Malaysia's version of the Hiroshima bombing, claimed 26 lives and injured 103 people.
Fortunately, no lives were lost in the Sentul police headquarters fireworks explosion. Only three workers were injured.
The Bright Sparklers incident made authorities realise the need to regulate the storage of large quantities of hazardous materials by industries.
Hence, in 1996, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health, DOSH enacted the regulation "Control of Industrial major Accident Hazards (CIMAH) Regulations".
The objective of the regulation was to ensure companies that store large quantities of hazardous materials have effective safety controls to prevent any untoward accidents from happening.
These companies are classified as major hazard sites. The CIMAH regulation listed many common hazardous chemicals used by industries. The threshold quantity of each chemical is regulated.
When a company stores chemicals above the threshold quantity, it is classified as a major hazard site. DOSH would inspect the site to ensure there are effective controls to prevent a major accident.
Companies that store chemicals below the threshold quantities but more than 10 per cent of the threshold quantity are classified as non-major hazard sites.
The controls for these sites are less stringent. The companies are required to demonstrate their operations are safe.
Explosive substances such as fireworks fall within the list of chemicals regulated by the CIMAH regulations. The threshold quantity for explosives is 10 tonnes.
It was reported in the media that the incident happened when police were disposing 1,059 boxes and 35 sacks of fireworks and firecrackers seized by police in March this year.
It appeared the quantity had exceeded the 10 per cent of the threshold quantity for explosives. The police should have a system to demonstrate safe storage and disposal of the explosives.
The onus is on the police to notify DOSH that they store explosives above 10 per cent of the threshold quantity. If there was prior notification to DOSH, the incident may not have happened.
Lastly, explosives are very sensitive chemicals. Heat or friction from handling could ignite them. The safe option for disposal is to immerse them in water to ensure they are thoroughly soaked.
Wong Soo Kan
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times