Ergonomic hazards in local fireworks factories

Abstract

The objective of this long essay (pilot study) is to review the practices, postures and workstations in local fireworks factories which may cause back pain and muscoskeletal disorders to fireworkers. Hazards exist in these factories and employees are subject to a wide range of risks once the processes are started. These risks vary from the toxicity of substances used to produce colours and pyro-effects, up to ergonomic adversities that such processes imply upon the workers. At fireworks factories, the ergonomic aspect is not considered important and this is highly attributed to the financial aspect and traditional methods of manufacturing. Rivalry between local fireworks factories fuels up this passion which forces the voluntary fireworkers to increase their yearly production and hence increase their exposure to such ergonomic hazards. Literature that discusses specifically ergonomics or fireworks manufacturing is readily available, but literature which converges both topics is difficult to find. Even the local legislation, mainly the Explosives Ordinance (Chapter 33) and the Occupational Health and Safety Authority Act (Chapter 424) do not cross reference each other to provide fireworkers with a suitable and systematic guideline .. For this pilot study a questionnaire was designed for use as an investigative tool, to help understand the cause of fireworks complaints of aches and pains (if any) during fireworks manufacturing. Results, gathered from 51 licensed fireworkers indicated that the manufacturing processes are the cause of pains located mainly in the upper part of the body. The respondents reported their pains as being frequent or occasional during an average six hours production day. Further discussion argues that these fireworks enthusiasts (the respondents) consider these reported pains as part of their job at the fireworks factories. These illnesses and ailments maybe causes to minor and/or major accidents during the processes. These may even end up in injuries, deaths, news sensationalism and resurfacing protests by anti-fireworks citizens.