AMMUNITION SHIPPING

Ammunition shipping is a phase of ammunition handling. Instructions for the preparation and shipment of naval ordnance material are contained in Navy Transportation Safety Handbook for Hazardous Materials, NAVSEA OP 2165, volumes 1 and 2. The

instructions in NAVSEA OP 2165 cover the preparation, flow, and use of all the documents required to ship, receive, and report shipments. Instructions for the use of ordnance transport equipment, materials to be transported, division of responsibility for carrying out inspections, and criteria for accepting or rejecting equipment are also contained in this publication. NAVSEA OP 2165 contains the general information needed for you to efficiently, safely, and economically perform the duties required when shipping ordnance materials.

Department of Transportation Explosive Hazard Classifications

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has established explosive hazard classifications for ammunition and explosives in shipment. DOT defines explosives as any chemical compound, mixture, or device whose primary or common purpose is to function by explosion. Explosives includes, but are not limited to, individual land mines, demolition charges, blocks of explosives (dynamite, TNT, C-4, and other high explosives), and other explosives (gun powder, nitroguanidine) that have a total weight of 10 pounds or more. All naval explosives fall within three explosive hazard classifications-Class A, Class B, and Class C. These classifications are discussed in the following paragraphs.

CLASS A.- Class A explosives are chemical compounds, mixtures, or devices (mass detonating, spark initiated, or shock sensitive) that constitute a maximum shipping hazard; for example, black powder, explosive warheads, nitroguanidine, and nitrosoguanidine.

CLASS B.- Class B explosives function by rapid combustion rather than by detonation for example, rocket ammunition without projectiles, special fireworks, and starter cartridges for jet engines.

CLASS C.- Class C explosive devices contain Class A or Class B explosives, or both, but in restricted quantities. They also have certain types of fireworks. Examples of Class C devices are electric squibs, explosive bolts, common fireworks, and small arms ammunition.

NOTE: Remember, these explosive hazard classifications apply to ammunition and explosives during shipment only. They do not apply to the storage classifications discussed earlier in this chapter.

Explosives Driver

An explosive driver is often an AO with an excellent safe driving record, and a person fully qualified according to Motor Vehicle's Driver's Handbook Ammunition, Explosives, and Hazardous Materials,

NAVSEA OP 2239. To become a qualified explosives driver, you must meet the qualifications described below. If you meet these qualifications, you are certified to drive motor vehicles that transport hazardous materials (HM).

STATE OPERATOR'S LICENSE.- An explosives driver must hold a valid state operator's license, not necessarily issued by the state in which the activity is located. This applies to operation of vehicles both on- and off-station. This requirement is permanently waived for those personnel stationed

Figure 12-9.-Medical Examiner's Certificate, ATA Form C0750.

outside the 50 states who would otherwise be eligible to obtain an explosives driver's permit.

MEDICAL EXAMINER'S CERTIFICATE.- An explosives driver must undergo an annual physical examination and, on the basis of such an examination, be certified by a licensed doctor of medicine or osteopathy to ensure that he/she meets applicable requirements as stated in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Applicants who pass the prescribed annual physical examination are issued a Medical Examiner's Certificate, ATA (American Trucking Association) Form C0750. (See fig. 12-9.) This certificate, in addition to the explosives driver's permit, must be on the operator's person while driving any vehicle transporting HM.

EXPLOSIVES DRIVER PERMIT.- An explosives driver must hold a U.S. Government Motor Vehicle Operator's Identification Card, Standard Form 46 (SF 46). (See fig. 12-10.) The card will be noted: "Explosives Driver (Must hold a current medical certificate)." The SF 46 is valid for 3 years and must be renewed prior to expiration. A yearly endorsement is not required. An individual's safety record and physical requirements will be considered prior to recertification as an explosives driver.

AGE AND EXPERIENCE.- An explosives driver must be 18 years of age or older to operate motor vehicles transporting HM on-station and 21 years of age

_{Figure 12-10.-U.S. Government Motor Vehicle Operator's} ^{Identification Card, SF 46.}

or over for off-station motor vehicle HM operations. The explosives driver must also have had considerable and varied driving experience with the type of equipment to be operated and have a safe driving record.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS.- Applicants, military and civilian, are required to pass a mental examination that is administered by the local command before they can be considered eligible to be explosives drivers.

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS.- An applicant for explosives driver certification found to be addicted to alcohol or drugs is rejected Certification is revoked for an explosives driver found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while on duty or when showing evidence of addiction. Temporary revocation of HM certification may become necessary when the use of physician-prescribed drugs are likely to interfere with the driver's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.

ABILITY TO READ AND UNDERSTAND REGULATIONS.- An explosives driver must be able to read, write, and understand the English language, and to complete the various forms for which a driver is responsible. The driver is required to read and understand the regulations that pertain to the duties as prescribed in NAVSEA OP 2239.

In addition to these qualifications, if you apply for certification as an explosives driver, you are required to complete an explosives driver's training course and pass the tests given at the conclusion of the course. All explosives drivers receive at least 12 hours of instruction in the following activities:

Driving trucks, truck-tractors with semitrailers, and other vehicles of appropriate types

Handling and transporting hazardous materials

Interpreting regulations and procedures pertaining to the transporting of hazardous materials

Training and use of fire extinguishers

Completing and filing required reports

When operating Navy-owned vehicles, you, as an operator, must comply with DOD regulations and all state and local traffic laws. You are also subject to fine or imprisonment when you violate these regulations and traffic laws.