Explosives Safety Policy

Purpose. Defines the principles and limits that govern every activity involving explosive ordnance at Sentinel facilities and in transit.

1.Scope

This policy applies to the receipt, storage, inspection, maintenance, movement and disposal preparation of explosive ordnance at the Wide Bay facility and to any explosive ordnance in Sentinel custody in transit. It gives effect to the Explosives Act 1999 (Queensland), the licence conditions of each facility and the Defence explosive ordnance publications adopted by the customer.

2.Principles

The business will expose the minimum number of people to the minimum quantity of explosives for the minimum time. Compatibility groups will not be mixed except where the licence permits. Net explosive quantity and personnel limits displayed at each building are absolute limits and must not be exceeded for any reason.

• Minimum people, minimum quantity, minimum time
• Compatibility groups stored and moved only as licensed
• Building limits displayed at the door and never exceeded
• Authorised, competent and cleared persons only
• Every lot traceable from receipt to issue or disposal

3.Authorisation

Only persons named on the explosives authorisation list held by the Explosive Ordnance Services Manager will handle explosive ordnance. Authorisation must be supported by a current entry in the training and competency register, a current security clearance and a signed acknowledgement of this policy. Trainees will work under the direct supervision of an authorised person at all times.

4.Facility conditions

Storehouse temperature and humidity must be read and recorded every working day. Lightning protection, earthing, fire fighting equipment and vegetation clearance will be inspected to the schedule in the facility maintenance plan. Any reading outside the limit for the natures stored must be reported to the manager before the end of the shift and recorded against the affected lots in the stock register.

5.Prohibited items and actions

Matches, lighters, mobile phones, radio transmitters and personal electronic devices must not be taken past the explosives area gate. Hot work, use of ferrous tools on ordnance and unpacking outside a designated workshop bay are prohibited. Any deviation from a procedure must be authorised in writing by the manager before the task starts.

6.Incidents

Any explosives incident, including a dropped item, a damaged package, a broken seal, a limit exceedance or an unexplained reading, must be reported immediately and recorded in the WHS incident register. The area will be secured and no item involved will be moved until the manager has assessed it.