Explosives

This page pertains to the manufacture, use and storage of explosives for other than construction-related tasks. The use of explosives for blasting operations in construction is discussed in the blasting and explosives safety and health topic page.

An explosive is any chemical compound, mixture, or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion, i.e., with substantially instantaneous release of gas and heat, unless such compound, mixture, or device is otherwise specifically classified by the U.S. Department of Transportation (see 49 CFR chapter I).

Explosives

Tab/Accordion Items

What are the explosive classifications?

The term "explosives" includes all material which is classified as Class A, Class B, and Class C explosives by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Explosives include, but is not limited to, dynamite, black powder, pellet powders, initiating explosives, blasting caps, electric blasting caps, safety fuse, fuse lighters, fuse igniters, squibs, cordeau detonant fuse, instantaneous fuse, igniter cord, igniters, small arms ammunition, small arms ammunition primers, smokeless propellant, cartridges for propellant-actuated power devices, and cartridges for industrial guns. Commercial explosives are those explosives which are intended to be used in commercial or industrial operations.

  • Class A explosives: Possess detonating, or otherwise maximum hazard. Examples: dynamite, nitroglycerin, picric acid, lead azide, fulminate of mercury, black powder, blasting caps, and detonating primers.

  • Class B explosives: Possess flammable hazards. Examples: propellant explosives (including some smokeless propellants), photographic flash powders, and some special fireworks

  • Class C explosives: Includes certain types of manufactured articles which contain Class A or Class B explosives, or both, as components but in restricted quantities.

What are the hazards associated with explosives?

Serious bodily injury, death, and significant property damage due to detonation and fire.

What can I do to protect myself?

Some of the precautions to follow regarding the handling and storage of explosives include not storing blasting caps, detonating primers and primed cartridges in the same magazine as other explosives. Be sure that only non-sparking tools are used around explosives and explosive materials. Employees of manufacturers of explosives should ensure that they have been informed about any chemical processes in their work area(s) and know about procedures associated with changes to these processes. Employers are required to ensure that employees have been trained about the health and physical hazards of chemicals in their work areas and about any processes involving any high hazardous chemicals

What resources are available to employers?

Safety and Health Programs

Example process safety management plan, hazardous chemical emergency response plan, hazard communication, emergency action plan (Construction and General Industry), HAZWOPER Safety and Health Program, fire prevention plan (Construction and General Industry) and PPE and hazard analysis can be downloaded and customized to fit an individual workplace. Other example safety and health programs are available for employers to download and adapt to their specific conditions. 

In addition, The workplace self-inspection checklist [short (General Industry/Construction) and long (General Industry/Construction)] includes a discussion of exits and exit routes and can be adapted for use in the workplace. 

Training and Outreach Services

These presentation on hazard communication, respiratory protection and personal protective equipment, and exit routes, emergency action and fire prevention plans can assist employers in training their staff.  These presentations should be modified to address site-specific conditions and hazards. Other example presentations are available along with pre-recorded webinars which can be accessed at any time. 

In addition, the education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request. 

Lastly, the NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos (including streaming video service) and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).

Safety and Health Topics

Other relevant resources can be found on the safety and health topics pages for exits and exit routes, hazard communication, personal protective equipment, HAZWOPER, blasting and explosives, emergency action plans, process safety management, respiratory protection, competent person and fire prevention plans. 

Consultation Services

The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.

Which standards apply?

OSH has adopted the following standards which are applicable to explosives in North Carolina. This is not all inclusive.

Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic. 

General Industry

Additional OSH standards relevant to the manufacture, storage and use of explosives include:

General Industry

Recordkeeping

Other Applicable Standards

The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can also help identify other standards that may be applicable to your worksite.

Where can I learn more?

Compliance Documents

Industry Guides

Technical Assistance

  • Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH online or by phone at 919-707-7876.