Manufacture and storage of explosives
The Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005 (SI Number
2005/1082) came into force on 26 April 2005.
Copies of the published regulations are available to purchase from the Stationery
Office. The text of the regulations is available to view and download
from the HMSO
website. The Approved Code of Practice and guidance to the regulations
is available from HSE Books. and from
other booksellers.
The main requirements of the regulations are as follows:
- anyone manufacturing or storing explosives must take appropriate
measures to prevent fire or explosion; to limit the extent of any fire
or explosion should one occur; and protect persons in the event of a
fire or explosion. These are the key requirements of the regulations and
are backed up by extensive guidance in the Approved Code of Practice;
- in most cases a separation distance must be maintained between the
explosives building and neighbouring inhabited buildings. This is
intended to ensure that risks to those living or working in the area are
kept to an acceptable level. If there is development in this separation
zone then the quantity that may be kept must be reduced;
- with certain exceptions a licence is required for the manufacture or
storage of explosives. HSE licenses manufacturing activities because of
the greater risks involved. HSE also licenses larger explosives storage
facilities. In most cases, stores holding less than two tonnes of
explosives are either licensed or registered by the local authority or
the police;
- HSE may not grant a licence for a manufacturing facility or, in most
cases, store until the local authority has given its assent (normally
following a public hearing). This is an important safeguard in the
present system that is to be retained.
Further information about the new regulations is available here:
Selling fireworks?
HSE has published guidance for retailers on storing and selling fireworks
safely:
There is also a risk assessment checklist to help when doing your risk
assessment:
Storing Fireworks
HSE has published interim guidance for HSE licensees on storage of fireworks
that are to be reclassified as HID 1.3G from 1 July 2007.
