Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Accidents involving category 4 fireworks in Switzerland

Dr Konrad SchlatterHead of SRSPhone +41 44 411 97 00konrad.schlatter@stp.stzh.chwfd@stp.stzh.ch

www.wfd-srs.ch

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Category 4 fireworks

•may not be sold by retail trade

•may not be distributed to people under

age 18•may be sold by sales personnel only

after instructing buyers on the use of the

fireworks

Legal provisions on sale and use of category 4 fireworks

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Instruction checklist for cat. 4 fireworks

The buyer has to be briefed onthe following points:

•permit / insurance•transportation•storage•cordon•influence of weather•safety distances•soil conditions•fixation•ignition•check after display•part-fired or "dud" fireworks•mode of operation•special risks

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Case 1: Fireworks display Oensingen

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Case 1: Fireworks display Oensingen

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Information/Instructions on the shell packaging

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Safety measures

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Instructions on the shell packaging

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Destroyed mortar

ca. 160 cm

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Launching site

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Impingement of steel fragments

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Impact site of a metal fragment

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Impingement of steel fragments

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Art. 225, Swiss Criminal CodeMisuse of explosives or toxic gases without criminal intent or through negligence

Art. 225, Swiss Criminal Code

1Any person who wilfully but without

criminal intent endangers the life and limb or the

property of others through the use of explosives or

toxic gases is liable to a custodial sentence not

exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty.

2In minor cases, a fine may be imposed.

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Penalty

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Case 2: Firework accident, August 1, 2007

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Case 2: Firework accident, August 1, 2007

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Safety instructions delivered by the seller

Pay strict attention never to keep the head or any body parts over the battery

Do not use the quick match

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Fax document confirming instruction

"Ple

as

e f

ax

th

e s

ign

ed

do

cu

me

nt

ba

ck

to

nu

mb

er

…"

summary confirmation ofconducted instructionnoted by the seller

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Battery Quattro Stagione; alteration

unmodified batteryfor comparision

involved battery

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Battery Quattro Stagione

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Conviction due to:

•Failure to duly instruct the buyer as

provided by the law

•Selling and shipping a defective

pyrotechnic item

Reasons for conviction(of first instance)

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Penalty

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Technical investigation

• No evidence for malfunction / unforeseen explosion

• Original state of the fuses forensically not verifiable

• Sequence of firing forensically not conclusively determinable

• Energy of pyrotechnic pellets expelled from bombette insufficient to fracture facial bones

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Answering questions

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E

Thank you for your attention

Scientific Research Service CIE Conference 2013, Oviedo/E