10.16 Initiate the explosive effect

Key Role
Other Applications
Unit
10
Reference
10.16
Overview

This standard covers the competences you need to initiate safe and effective explosive effects. You are required to have the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to initiate safe and effective explosive effects, at the same time ensuring that your work complies with all legal, statutory, industrial and organizational requirements. You must be able to identify any potential hazards and risks to health and safety inherent in your work. You must also know what actions would need to be taken in case of an emergency at each effect the initiation of which is your responsibility, as well as ensuring that your work takes account of the safety of all who attend or are present for these events. You will be required to work to the relevant legislation, regulatory requirements and organizational policy, and to follow applicable industry codes of practice and instructions.

Your responsibilities will require you to comply with health and safety requirements and organizational policy and procedures for the explosive effects work that you undertake. You must be able to recognize any limitations in your own competence in this work, and ask for appropriate help and advice in when it is needed. You may be required to work with or without supervision, therefore taking responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.

Your underpinning knowledge will provide an understanding of your explosive effects work, in order to apply safely the appropriate principles and practices. You will be competent in the safe use of the materials, equipment, consumables and instruments associated with your work and that of anyone assisting you, and with the procedures appropriate to your job. Your knowledge, skill and understanding will be sufficient to enable you to initiate an effective explosive effect safely that meets both customer requirements and the imperatives of health and safety.

You will understand the safety precautions required when initiating explosive effects and will apply these to your work at the appropriate level. You will also understand your responsibility to others for incorporating the necessary safeguards to protect them in the locations in which you are initiating an explosive effect.

This activity is likely to be undertaken by someone whose work role involves Weapons, Ordnance, Munitions or Explosives work activities. This includes people working as explosives entertainment managers, supervisors and operators.

Performance Criteria

P1 work safely at all times, complying with health, safety and environmental and other relevant regulations, legislation and guidelines
P2 confirm the correct functioning of the ignition system and sequences in accordance with the procedures
P3 confirm that the firing preparations are complete
P4 give necessary warnings of the imminent firing in accordance with procedures
P5 fire only when all safety precautions have been taken and verified
P6 inform unambiguously those who need to know of any problems in accordance with procedures
P7 deal with misfires in accordance with procedures
P8 maintain the security of the firing device at all times in accordance with procedures

Knowledge and Understanding

K1 health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations and safe working practices governing explosives in your area of work
K2 the relevance of PPE
K3 the nature, characteristics, hazards and risks of the explosive substance and/or article
K4 the actions to be taken in response to an unplanned even
K5 the initiation of the explosive substances and/or articles being used
K6 misfire procedures for the device being used
K7 emergency stop procedures
K8 the requirements of the firing plan
K9 how to implement contingency plans
K10 the requirements of any relevant manufacturers' instructions and industry codes of practice
K11 the timescale and any constraints attached
K12 the location and any associated constraints
K13 the roles and responsibilities of those involved in the firing
K14 who needs to be informed of problems