The Navy Explosives Safety Program is established in U.S. Navy Explosives Safety Policies, Requirements, and Procedures (Department of the Navy Explosives Safety Policy Manual), OPNAVINST 8023.2. Explosives safety is the all-encompassing area of activity concerned with the prevention of the premature, unintentional, or unauthorized initiation of explosives and devices containing explosives. It also includes the

1. minimization of the effects of explosions, combustion, toxicity, and any other harmful effects;

2. mechanical, chemical, biological, and electrical hazards associated with explosives; hazards of electromagnetic radiation to explosive ordnance; and combinations of the foregoing; and

3. equipment or systems whose malfunctions would hazard the safe handling, maintenance, storage, release, delivery, or firing of explosives.

This section discusses safety program responsibilities, mishap causes, and mishap reports as related to explosives.

EXPLOSIVES SAFETY PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES

Explosives safety, like all safety, is the responsibility of all commands and all personnel. However, the Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command and the Mobile Mine Assembly Group activities are assigned certain responsibilities for the overall program.

Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command

Under the supervision of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Logistics (DCNO/L), the Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (COMNAVSEASYSCOM) is tasked with the following responsibilities regarding explosives safety:

1. Establishing and issuing technical standards and criteria.

2. Providing technical guidance and assistance to all components of the Department of the Navy (DON).

3. Providing technical advice and evaluations to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) in areas where operational requirements conflict with technical requirements.

4. Directing and coordinating the efforts of all technical offices and preparing all necessary data to analyze the program's effectiveness.

5. Providing the necessary technical advice and guidance for the development of explosives training programs to establish a level of competence to ensure success of this program.

6. Establishing, issuing, and implementing appropriate regulations, technical standards, instructions, and publications that relate to supervision over specific work performed by shore activities. This work includes the preparation, assembly, loading, testing, storing, handling, shipping, use, and maintenance of ammunition, explosives, and other dangerous materials.

Mobile Mine Assembly Group Activities

All Mobile Mine Assembly Groups (MOMAGs) having custody of explosive materials must

1. comply with all applicable directives and guidance issued by proper authority,

2. ensure that explosive materials are handled only by qualified personnel, and

3. submit reports concerning explosive accidents and incidents.

EXPLOSIVE MISHAP CAUSES

The improper handling, loading, processing, or testing of explosive devices has, in the past, caused mishaps that resulted in injury, loss of life, or damage to property, as well as reduced operational effectiveness of both fleet and shore activities. Investigations have shown that a major cause of mishaps with explosive devices has been personnel error.

Analyses of mishaps clearly caused by personnel error show that the following seven reasons are most commonly encountered:

1. Lack of effective use of available training or lack of knowledge on the part of individuals and teams that handle explosive devices.

2. Lack of necessary and effective leadership and supervision by the supervisory personnel directly responsible for operations involving explosive devices.

3. High-tempo operations, during which maintenance of explosives safety tends to be degraded due to (a) fatigue; (b) short cuts to get the job done on time; or (c) complacency stemming from rapid, repeated, and often monotonous tasks.

4. Loss of continuity caused by the discharge, transfer, promotion, or retirement of experienced personnel.

5. Assignment to duty of personnel whose precise qualifications and experience are generally unknown.

6. Temporary assignment to perform ordnance-related tasks for which personnel are not specifically qualified.

7. Failure to follow, or to maintain current, standard operating procedures (SOPS) or standard job procedures (SJPs) that have been established for specific processes involving explosives or explosive devices.