The following article from an Australian newspaper and about Foti, which will compete in July:


FIREWORKS FIRM FINED OVER INJURIES

30may06

THE high-profile Foti fireworks company and its director have been fined $231,000 over two factory explosions that left an employee with extensive burns.

The man suffered third-degree burns to 80 per cent of his body when a mechanical or static electrical spark started a chain reaction at Foti's Leppington factory in south-western Sydney in June 2003.
Up to 4kg of red star fireworks ignited, sparking off 2kg of gunpowder in an adjacent room.

The worker's injuries are so extensive he will never be able to return to work.

New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission Justice Monica Schmidt today found the necessary safe system of work was not implemented or maintained, exposing employees to entirely foreseeable yet very serious risks.

Justice Schmidt fined the company, International Fireworks, $210,000 and director Fortunato Foti $21,000.

WorkCover chief Jon Blackwell said the case underscored the need for proper safety precautions.

"This tragic case highlights the most horrific consequences that can result from the failure of a employer in a high-risk industry to ensure that its workers are adequately protected at all times," Mr Blackwell said.

Foti produces Sydney's annual New Year's Eve and Australia Day pyrotechnic displays.


Source:
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,19310238%255 E1702,00.html

This is quite horrific news in regards to what happened to this individual while it simultaneously establishes a paradoxical entity in pyrotechnics.

I feel very sorry for this employee considering that he will never be able to work again as well as to enjoy other things that he may, or may not, otherwise be able to do after this terrible incident. I suspect that this will put a negative impression on the Australian firm, however. Nevertheless, let's hope this impression won't be exploited upon their performance, but I doubt that will detract from their actual display.

Trav.