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Fatal explosion at fireworks factory prompts reforms

Following an explosion that took place at a firecracker factory on Monday, the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) plans to make revisions to the Fireworks Management Regulations Law (爆竹煙火管理條例) to strengthen safety management of the industry.

"After the serious explosions in an underground firecracker factory last June and a legal factory in Hsinchu County on Oct. 11, the ministry considers revisions to the law imperative in order to ensure public safety," the National Fire Fighting Administration said in a statement.

After a roundtable discussion with representatives from Ministry of Justice, the Council of Labor Affairs, the Ministry of Economics Affairs as well as firecracker manufacturers, several revisions will be made to the regulations. The firecracker factory explosion in Hsinchu County on Monday killed two people and injured 12 more. The factory was legally run.

Revisions of the Fireworks Law includes a mandatory safety plan which must be drawn up by the factory owners and assessed by a local firefighting authority. Daily operations are also to be monitored by an appointed safety supervisor. Another revision calls for camera surveillance of firecracker plants around the clock, which the local firefighting authority will have access to.

The MOI also plans to draw up a plan to specify the qualifications required for the person in charge of rationing explosive chemicals during the manufacture of firecrackers.

According to the MOI, as explosive chemical rationing is the most dangerous part of production, professional qualifications and regular training should be required.

Fines and other penalties are expected to be more stringent. The new rules will strengthen penalties for illegally run firecracker factories. Deadly accidents as the result of illegal firecracker-making may incur a fine between NT$2 million and NT$10 million, in addition to one to seven years in prison.
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