Parcel explosion injures worker

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/7152977.stm

A postal worker was injured when a package containing a car steering wheel airbag exploded at a Devon post office.

Emergency services were called to the post office in Clyst St Mary near Exeter shortly before 1730 GMT.

The sub postmistress suffered cuts to her face and minor shock and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Mike Howe, one of directors of the joint Londis and Post Office shop, said the car part was an Ebay purchase and exploded as it was being moved.

Police confirmed the incident was not suspicious.

The Royal Mail spokesman said: "As far as we know the small explosion was innocuous."

The woman was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital for treatment but she is not believed to be seriously injured.

Assistant Chief Constable Bob Pennington said: "I would like to thank the public for their patience during this incident.

"Fortunately Explosive Ordinance Disposal officers were able to deal with the package at the scene and things were quickly returned to normal."

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Perhaps this incident highlights the dangers of Joe Public not understanding the safety aspects of sending dangerous items through the post.

[Lounge Lizard]

Might have been more serious if it had exploded in a crashed car !

[Stormproof]

Explosives
Explosives are any chemical compound, mixture or device capable of producing an explosive-pyrotechnic effect, with substantial instantaneous release of heat and gas. For example; Ammunition, Blasting Caps, Fireworks, Flares, Fuses, Igniters and Nitroglycerine.

Should'nt of been accepted at the PO

Airbags inflate, or deploy, quickly -- faster than the blink of an eye. Imagine taking one second and splitting it into one thousand parts. In the first 15 to 20 milliseconds, airbag sensors detect the crash and then send an electrical signal to fire the airbags. Typically a squib, which is a small explosive device, ignites a propellant, usually sodium azide. The azide burns with tremendous speed, generating nitrogen, which inflates the airbags. Within 45 to 55 milliseconds the airbag is supposed to be fully inflated. Within 75 to 80 milliseconds, the airbag is deflated and the event is over

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Might have been more serious if it had exploded in a crashed car !

Thats what it is designed to do ???????????????

[TrueBlueTerrier]

8AM UPDATE: POST OFFICE WORKER INJURED BY CAR AIRBAG IN MAIL


07:56 - 20 December 2007

A post office worker suffered superficial injuries after a car steering wheel airbag activated in a parcel.

The bomb squad was called in to investigate the incident at Clyst St Mary post office just before 5.30pm last night.

Police closed off much of the village and are now urging the public to be careful when putting dangerous items in the post.

Officers told residents to stay in their homes as a cordon was set up around the building which functions as a Post Office and Londis shop on Frog Lane.

Police have described the post office worker's injuries as superficial.

[andy2007]

Explosives
Explosives are any chemical compound, mixture or device capable of producing an explosive-pyrotechnic effect, with substantial instantaneous release of heat and gas. For example; Ammunition, Blasting Caps, Fireworks, Flares, Fuses, Igniters and Nitroglycerine.

Should'nt of been accepted at the PO

Airbags inflate, or deploy, quickly -- faster than the blink of an eye. Imagine taking one second and splitting it into one thousand parts. In the first 15 to 20 milliseconds, airbag sensors detect the crash and then send an electrical signal to fire the airbags. Typically a squib, which is a small explosive device, ignites a propellant, usually sodium azide. The azide burns with tremendous speed, generating nitrogen, which inflates the airbags. Within 45 to 55 milliseconds the airbag is supposed to be fully inflated. Within 75 to 80 milliseconds, the airbag is deflated and the event is over

The Staff at the PO wouldn't have known what was in the parcel. Even if they did, unless they actually knew something about Airbags, they wouldn't know that it contained explosives.

It's the sender who was at fault. If you know enough to be able to remove the Airbag without it going off in your face, then you know that it uses a small explosive to activate. Therefore, it should not have been sent through the Post. He/She should have used a Courier, with facilities for transporting hazardous items (in this case explosives).

You wouldn't expect anyone to be stupid enough to send Fireworks through the Post, so why did this fool post an Airbag!?!?!

[Stormproof]

I totally agree with you Andy, the sender should be held totally accountable for this incident and I hope RM will take action against him/her.