SAFEX Newsletter No.35 - EU-Excert

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SAFEX Newsletter No.35, 4 th Qtr. 2010 10 The number and mandate of IGUS working groups have evolved over the years. Currently, two working groups operate under the umbrella of IGUS: the Energetic and Oxidizing Substances Working Group (IGUS-EOS) and the Explosives, Propellants and Pyrotechnics Working Group (IGUS-EPP). The IGUS working groups meet as required, usually annually. These meetings are structured into a 'closed' session, dealing with topics confidential to the national bodies present, and an 'open' session to which industry representatives are invited by agreement of the chairman. The vast majority of the meeting time is 'open'. The current officers of IGUS are as follows: IGUS chairman: Dr. N. Pfeil, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM, Germany) IGUS secretary: Ing. W.A. Mak, TNO Defence, Security and Safety (Netherlands) IGUS-EOS chairman: Dr. K.D. Wehrstedt, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM, Germany) IGUS-EOS co-chairman: Ing. W.A. Mak, TNO Defence, Security and Safety (Netherlands) IGUS-EPP chairman: Mr. E.G. de Jong, TNO Defence, Security and Safety (Netherlands) IGUS-EPP co-chairman: Dr. P. Lightfoot, Canadian Explosives Research Laboratory Full membership of IGUS is limited to members of government laboratories and organizations, or scientists who are involved in research and are governmental advisers on a permanent basis. Independents and industry representatives are not eligible for office, but industry representatives take part extensively and are welcome at all meetings of the IGUS working groups. For example, at the last meeting of IGUS-EPP, 24 of 51 attendees were from industry, including direct representation from SAFEX in the form of Boet and Bets Coetzee. Today, IGUS has members in around 20 countries, including: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Korea, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the USA. IGUS is self-supporting, members’ costs being borne by their home institutes. Members participate at IGUS meetings as technical experts in their own right and cannot commit their country's policy department in any way. As no policy decisions are made at IGUS meetings, discussions are quite informal, which greatly facilitates a frank and open exchange of views in a positive environment. IGUS Working Groups: EOS and EPP In broad terms, IGUS-EOS deals with materials that are energetic, but not designed to be used as energetic materials. Subject areas covered by IGUS-EOS include: test methods, classification and safety issues related to organic peroxides, self-reactive substances, fertilizers, ammonium nitrate and other oxidizers. Of particular interest to the SAFEX community is the involvement of IGUS-EOS with ammonium nitrate hazards. In contrast to IGUS-EOS, IGUS- EPP deals primarily with energetic materials and devices that are designed to be used as such. Subject areas include: explosive properties, general test methods, classification, safety and regulatory aspects related to explosives, pyrotechnics and propellants. There is clearly a significant overlap between the interests of IGUS-EPP and those of SAFEX. In what follows, we will concentrate on the activities of the IGUS EPP group. The work plan of IGUS-EPP group is wide ranging and includes: • Accident reports. This subject is a constant agenda item. The exchange of information on accidents is very valuable as it might help preventing a similar situation somewhere else. • Ammonium nitrate (shared with IGUS-EOS). Ammonium nitrate is a very versatile substance. It is used in the vast majority of blasting explosives nowadays, it is also widely used in fertilizers and other non-explosive applications. • Ammonium nitrate-based intermediates, or ANEs. There is still a good deal of dissatisfaction with the current UN TDG classification scheme for ANEs, for example. • Combined stimuli (e.g., sensitivity at elevated temperature). • Co-operation, exchange and round-robin testing between laboratories • Disposal of energetic materials, which presents challenges that go beyond safety. • Environmental, health and safety issues. Although the problem has been around for a long time, increasing attention is being given to the effects of energetic materials on the environment and industrial hygiene. • Fireworks, including theatrical and film effects, family fireworks and indoor fireworks. This is a rich area for IGUS-EPP, particularly as the fireworks industry has a number of safety challenges. • Process hazards For example, there has been significant discussion in recent years
SAFEX Newsletter No.35, 4 th Qtr. 2010 11 regarding the pumping of emulsion explosives. • Harmonized test methods. The group has been very active in carrying out work related to international test methods, particularly the UN “Orange Book”. Examples include the UN 6(c) and 6(d) tests, and Test Series 8. To further illustrate the interests of IGUS-EPP, the following subjects were on the agenda at the last meeting of the working group in Osaka, Japan, in 2009: • Development of a small scaletype 8(d) Test for ANEs • Minimum Burning Pressure Test - discussion on the potential for use as a standard test • Classification of seat-belt pretensioners • .50 Browning Machine Gun testing video • Standardization of exothermic decomposition energy measurement. • Nitrocellulose Testing Results • Global availability of materials specified in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria • Alternatives to UN specification boosters for the Series 1 and 2 Gap tests • 6(d) Tests In ICAO – With a Focus on Cartridges, Power Device • BAM and fireworks testing • Time /Pressure test for the definition of flash compositions • Discussion on a test procedure for the definition of flash compositions • Flash powder and fireworks hazard • Results of testing fireworks for the Dutch market according to draft standard prEN 15947 • Test reports on the explosivity of waterfall fireworks • Consumer Fireworks display for sale • Mischief involving fireworks in Sweden • Pyrotechnically generated aerosols for fire extinguishing • Fire extinguisher cartridges • OECD project on "Safety Practices on the storage of fireworks in the context of land-use planning" • Monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gases coming from the detonation of explosives (and fireworks) and their possible trading further down the track • Testing of fireworks in retail premises • Thermite-based explosives • Recent accidents in the production and usage of explosives in Japan • Unplanned synthesis of TATP in chemical processing plant • Classification of sporting ammunition • Ammonium nitrate fertilizers (high nitrogen content) in Finland • "Draft of Industry Code of Practice for AN Storage" - a review and discussion It will be clear from the list that the group has a broad range of subjects that could be of interest across the spectrum of SAFEX members, from blasting explosives to energetic devices for the automobile industry. In addition to regular agenda items at the last meeting, there was also a most interesting case study of an accidental explosion at an emulsion explosives manufacturing site in India that resulted in 27 fatalities in 2007. The case study took place at the suggestion of SAFEX and included IGUS-EPP members, industry and members of the Chief Inspectors of Explosives Group. IGUS EPP Group and the international Chief Inspectors of Explosives Group A group representing international explosives regulators has met regularly for many years. Known as the Chief Inspectors of Explosives (CIE) group, this informal organization has many common interests with IGUS-EPP. The latter covers explosives safety science with a strong regulatory focus, whereas the former deals with explosives regulation, much of which needs to demonstrate a strong scientific underpinning. The strong, common interest is demonstrated clearly by the fact that there is overlap between the membership of the two groups. As a result, annual meetings of the two groups have been held jointly since 2007. This partnership has proved to be mutually beneficial and the next meeting will again be held jointly in May 2011 (Salt Lake City, USA). Conclusions As new technologies emerge, the need will continue for technical discussions and exchange to underpin international agreements, as well as to safeguard society through the sharing of knowledge about hazards. There are still many problems to be resolved in the areas of IGUS expertise and there is never a shortage of items for the agenda of working group meetings. I hope that this short article has provided a useful insight into the workings of IGUS and the benefits that it provides to both regulators and industry around the world. If any reader of the Newsletter is interested in finding out more about the IGUS organization, please do not hesitate to contact me at plighto@nrcan.gc.ca , or check out the IGUS web site at: www.oecdigus.org.
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