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When short exposures to hazardous airborne
concentrations may occur
When certain or accidental spills may occur
Always make sure personnel observe the following
safety precautions:
Wear ear protection when handling ordnance
during firing exercises
Wear nonskid, steel-toed safety shoes when
working with ordnance
Clean their protective clothing after each use to
remove all traces of contamination before
stowing it
Inspect clothing for damage, deterioration, or
other defects before using it
Reject any items that are not completely
satisfactory
When working with ordnance containing white
phosphorus, make sure enough emergency equipment is
available for personnel to use.
PROHIBITED ARTICLES IN
HAZARDOUS AREAS
Personnel working with explosives or in areas
where explosives are present must not wear certain
clothing articles. They also must not wear or carry
certain prohibited articles. Some of the prohibited
articles are listed in the following paragraphs.
Articles of Adornment
Personnel may not wear articles of adornment, such
as watches, rings, necklaces, chains, bracelets, earrings,
neckties, and scarves, in the following situations:
When working with exposed explosives or in
areas where exposed explosives are present
When operating moving or rotating equipment
When physically handling material, such as that
involved in lifting or moving
When working with equipment that could cause
electric shock
When handling weapons with electric leads
There are several exceptions to the above list.
Personnel may wear articles of religious adornment if
the local safety office approves. Operators of
materials-handling equipment engaged in receipt,
storage, and issue of material may be exempted at the
discretion of the local safety office. Another exemption,
if approved by the local safety office, concerns
personnel operating or testing electrical equipment that
is properly grounded.
Tools
Personnel must use authorized tools when working
on explosives or in an explosives area. You, as
supervisor, should make periodic inspections to ensure
compliance.
Firearms
Do not permit anyone carrying a firearm to enter any
explosives area or building. The exceptions are couriers,
assigned security personnel, or personnel responding to
an emergency.
Matches and Lighters
Unless the commanding officer gives written
authorization, do not permit matches, cigarette lighters,
and other spark-producing devices in explosives areas.
Food
Personnel must not bring food to any area or eat,
drink, or store food in any area in which the handling or
storing of explosives or chemical agents occurs.
ORDNANCE HAZARDS ASSOCIATED
WITH FIRE AND HEAT
Fire is a hazard to life and property, especially when
ammunition and explosives are involved. Many of these
materials are extremely sensitive to heat. They react at
temperatures much lower than those required to ignite
ordinary wood, paper, or fabrics. Even indirect heat
generated by a fire could start a reaction that could result
in an explosion. The first and most important rule in
operations involving ammunition and explosives is to
keep them away from excessive heat!
All personnel concerned with ammunition and
explosives must investigate the cause of fires. They must
also recognize and follow good practices to prevent
fires. Personnel concerned with ammunition must
thoroughly understand procedures for fighting and
controlling fires involving explosive materials. Having
a well-trained and efficient organization responsible for
fire safety is especially important. Personnel concerned
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