RESEARCH ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OF STORAGE AND HANDLING OF EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS FOR CIVIL USE AND OF PYROTECHNIC ARTICLES WITH RESPECT TO THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF PERSONAL AND HUMAN PERSONNEL

Abstract

The storage of explosives and pyrotechnic articles must be carried out in complete safety conditions and only in storage facilities (depots) arranged and authorized for this purpose. The legislation in force has strict provisions on the rules of explosive & pyrotechnics storage, handling and access in the storage facilities. Failure to comply with certain provisions of the law in the product safety data sheet prepared by the manufacturer may lead to the generation of hazardous situations which may result in very serious consequences such as explosion, fire, damage of constructions in the area and even damage to the environment. In the last years, in Romania there have been a series of accidents with victims or considerable material damage, these being as a result of actions of incorrect handling, storage, maintenance or failure to ensure the proper storage conditions accordingly with the specific legislation and technical recommendations. Following the results of this accidents, INSEMEX Petrosani as a research institute in mine safety but as well as notified body in the field of explosives, pyrotechnic articles & blasting techniques approval and certification, at the request of the authorities (Court, Prosecutor's Office, Police Office or State Labor Inspection) carried out several investigations in order to establish the causes that generated these events. The article presents some of outcomes of this investigations with the focus on recommendations to avoid similar events.