displayfireworks1
12-15-2013, 07:57 PM
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/includes/file.aspx?f=7077&width=440&height=297
Much like the fireworks he so vigorously defends, Labour MP Michael Falzon can be a little explosive at times. Such as, for instance, when deflecting accusations of a possible conflict of interest between his twin roles as legal councel to the Malta Pyrotechnics Association, and chair of the consultative committee tasked with drawing up a draft policy on firework regulations.
But long before the firecrackers began at Thursday's press conference - where Falzon launched the policy document, and was forced onto the defensive regarding his own connections with the pyrotechnics lobby - questions have been raised regarding the safety standards of a pastime that has also left a trail of death and destruction in its wake. The past decade has been particularly costly in terms of human life. In one year alone - 2007 - explosions in fireworks factories claimed the lives of six people: not just fireworks enthusiasts, but also innocent bystanders. One woman was buried under the rubble of her own home, levelled by a devastating explosion in the heart of densely populated Naxxar.
Three years later, another six people were killed in a single blast in Gharb: including a pregnant woman.
Our national response to such tragedies has always been to lionise the victims - often as not describing them as 'martyrs' - while studiously disregarding mounting calls for a proper legislative framework that, by Falzon's own admission, has so far been lacking.
It was against this backdrop that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority launched a public consultation exercise to draw up a long overdue fireworks policy. But at a glance the resulting document seems more concerned with facilitating the construction of new fireworks factories, while also proposing that existing fireworks factories be 'upgraded' to address safety concerns.
Michael Falzon disagrees, arguing that the draft policy represents a radical improvement in safety standards.
"You should be welcoming this initiative, as it represents a massive step forward in safety standards," he insists. "Bear in mind that before this policy was launched - and it is still at the stage of consultation, by the way; nothing is finalised yet - there was hardly any legislation regulating fireworks at all. Prior to this, MEPA simply didn't have any policy regarding fireworks. The only conditions regulating factories is that they had to be 183 metres from built-up, inhabited areas. If finalised, the new policy will introduce new measures to enhance safety. Can't you at least acknowledge that this is an improvement?"
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/file.aspx?f=12013&width=440&height=297
Much like the fireworks he so vigorously defends, Labour MP Michael Falzon can be a little explosive at times. Such as, for instance, when deflecting accusations of a possible conflict of interest between his twin roles as legal councel to the Malta Pyrotechnics Association, and chair of the consultative committee tasked with drawing up a draft policy on firework regulations.
But long before the firecrackers began at Thursday's press conference - where Falzon launched the policy document, and was forced onto the defensive regarding his own connections with the pyrotechnics lobby - questions have been raised regarding the safety standards of a pastime that has also left a trail of death and destruction in its wake. The past decade has been particularly costly in terms of human life. In one year alone - 2007 - explosions in fireworks factories claimed the lives of six people: not just fireworks enthusiasts, but also innocent bystanders. One woman was buried under the rubble of her own home, levelled by a devastating explosion in the heart of densely populated Naxxar.
Three years later, another six people were killed in a single blast in Gharb: including a pregnant woman.
Our national response to such tragedies has always been to lionise the victims - often as not describing them as 'martyrs' - while studiously disregarding mounting calls for a proper legislative framework that, by Falzon's own admission, has so far been lacking.
It was against this backdrop that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority launched a public consultation exercise to draw up a long overdue fireworks policy. But at a glance the resulting document seems more concerned with facilitating the construction of new fireworks factories, while also proposing that existing fireworks factories be 'upgraded' to address safety concerns.
Michael Falzon disagrees, arguing that the draft policy represents a radical improvement in safety standards.
"You should be welcoming this initiative, as it represents a massive step forward in safety standards," he insists. "Bear in mind that before this policy was launched - and it is still at the stage of consultation, by the way; nothing is finalised yet - there was hardly any legislation regulating fireworks at all. Prior to this, MEPA simply didn't have any policy regarding fireworks. The only conditions regulating factories is that they had to be 183 metres from built-up, inhabited areas. If finalised, the new policy will introduce new measures to enhance safety. Can't you at least acknowledge that this is an improvement?"
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/file.aspx?f=12013&width=440&height=297