Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005
This legislation applies to businesses that are manufacturing or storing explosives.
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 (Health and Safety Executive) 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.
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