HSE publishes guidance on Explosives Regulations 2014 [UK]

The Explosives Regulations 2014 came into force on 1 October 2014 and apply to England, Wales and Scotland, with some exceptions, but also extend to Northern Ireland in relation to importation of explosives (Regulation 29). Two separate HSE guidance documents are available describing how to meet the safety provisions and security provisions of the Regulations. They are structured around the fundamental objectives, or ‘statements of success’, that businesses should achieve. Both documents are aimed at more complex and larger operations.

The Explosives Regulations 2014 Guidance on Regulations – Safety Provisions (L150) applies to anyone who has duties under the safety provisions of the Explosives Regulations 2014, particularly employers, individuals and others manufacturing explosives, storing larger quantities of explosives or storing explosives that present higher hazards. The guidance may also be of interest to waste disposal operators. The document breaks down the application and scope of the Regulations and details general safety principles.

The Security Provisions (L151) guidance is the second guidance document on the Explosives Regulations 2014 and applies to anyone who has duties under the security provisions of the Regulations. It provides background information and detailed specialist and technical guidance to aid compliance.

These two guidance documents replace the Approved Code of Practice to the Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005 and the Guide to the Placing on the Market and Supervision of Transfers of Explosives Regulations 1993.