In a pyrotechnics plant, a deflagration followed by combustion occurred while in the process of collating laboratory waste.

Rubbish cans were normally introduced to avoid incompatible product mixes; in particular, the fuels were separated from the fuel oxidisers. A jar of crystallised parent emulsion solution containing ammonium nitrate would have reacted with just a few grams of thermite (i.e. a mix derived from aluminium, alum and copper oxide) when cleaning staff was combining the contents of rubbish containers.

The plant operator set up a colour-coded identification system for rubbish containers for the various products as a means of limiting the risk of human error as much as possible.

Based on this accident report, experts remind that the collection of pyrotechnic waste must be included in the pyrotechnic safety study and all implementation-related steps must be performed by well-trained and certified personnel. The expert assessment also insisted upon a strict traceability of wastes, with the aim of accounting for risks related to product ageing (focusing on changes in characteristics over time).