Recommendations for improving OSH practices in the fireworks industry in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Firework industry is considered accident-prone due to the usage of several hazardous chemicals in manufacturing. The number of employees working in this industry is less than 0.8% of the manufacturing sector workforce in Sri Lanka. The average number of fatal accidents reported to the Department of Labor is between 70 and 80 per year. The firework industry records at least three fatal accidents within the above figure. It shows that fatal accidents in the firework industry are very high compared to the total reported accidents, creating numerous economic and social problems. The objectives of this study are to identify the accident-causing factors during the firework manufacturing process, review the existing OSH practices and recommend strategies to enhance OSH in the Sri Lankan fireworks industry. A questionnaire was designed using the literature findings and forwarded to five experts directly involved with the firework industry to seek further improvements. According to the convenient sampling technique, thirty factory samples are selected to cover all the districts where the fireworks industry operates. The result shows that mistakes made in factory and layout design and selection of construction materials and accessories, not adopting new technologies, shortage of the existing laws and regulations, incorrect handling of chemicals, poor management and employee practices and also improper maintenance are common contributors to firework factory accidents in Sri Lanka. The study identified the requirement of updating the existing laws and regulations along with the changes in factories, production processes and products, encouragement of customer-based safety mechanisms, training and awareness.