Review of threshold quantities for the control of explosives in health and safety legislation in The Netherlands

This paper describes a study undertaken for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment in The Netherlands, to examine systems and limits for the control of explosives. An important part of the study was the development of a questionnaire and its issue to 11, key countries to obtain information on controls for the storage of explosives, especially fireworks. The responses to the questionnaire are analysed and used in conjunction with published information as the basis for our recommendations. The paper concludes that the threshold quantity for explosives in Dutch regulations should continue to be that quantity equivalent to 1000 kg of TNT. The paper also concludes that two threshold quantities for professional fireworks should be added to the list of explosives in the regulations. These proposed, new entries will cover report shells and other types of professional fireworks.