OSHA URGES FIREWORKS SAFTEY AWARENESS OVER 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

OSHA urges increased safety awareness in fireworks industry in advance of July 4 celebrations

WASHINGTON — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is urging the fireworks and pyrotechnics industry to be vigilant in protecting workers from hazards while manufacturing, storing, transporting, displaying and selling fireworks for public events.

"As we look forward to July 4 celebrations with fireworks and festivities, we must also consider the safety of workers who handle pyrotechnics," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "Employers are responsible for keeping everyone safe on the job and taking appropriate measures to protect workers from serious injuries or death."

In March 2012, three workers suffered serious burns caused by an explosion at Global Pyrotechnic Solutions Inc. OSHA cited the Dittmer, Mo., company nearly $117,000 for safety violations relating to explosive hazards.

OSHA's pyrotechnics directive, Compliance Policy for Manufacture, Storage, Sale, Handling, Use and Display of Pyrotechnics, provides inspection guidance and OSHA requirements as they apply to pyrotechnics facilities and operations

FIREWORKS AND EMERGENCY ROOMS

FROM:  FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION
SEATTLE, Wash. -- As skies clear and weather turns warmer, Pacific Northwest residents are hoping for glorious weather this Fourth of July. But however the weather turns out, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) warn that careless handling of fireworks and outdoor grills can ruin parties and picnics -- and entire summers. New data released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) shows that last year, during the 30 days surrounding July 4, these fireworks sent about 1,900 injured consumers to emergency rooms. CPSC's statistics show that about 8,600 consumers ended up in hospital emergency rooms due to injuries involving legal and illegal fireworks. About 40 percent of the injuries that occurred during this time period were related to firecrackers, bottle rockets, and sparklers.