Safety Office

The Safety Office administers IHD NSWC's Explosives Safety and Navy Occupational Safety and Health Programs. The office establishes safety and environmental compliance guidelines and standards for standard operating procedures, equipment, and facilities, and advises on safety engineering and human factors engineering problems. The office also provides technical guidance concerning safety and environmental issues during the planning of new buildings, equipment, and on the alterations or redesign of existing facilities. It represents the Navy with other government agencies, contractors, and private industry on matters relative to explosives safety, as well as serving as Inventory Accuracy Office for ammunition and explosives.

Experience counts

IHD NSWC is recognized for the technical expertise of its personnel in energetic materials, and its extraordinary safety record in the handling of explosives, propellants, and other dangerous materials.

Operators respect these substances and have years and sometimes decades of experience in handling them. Job-specific training, certification, and qualification-enforced standards are critical to conducting safe operations. IHD NSWC is involved in all aspects of explosives safety for materials and occupational safety and health for personnel.

Activities include:

• Review and approve standard operating procedures for hazardous and explosives operations.

• Evaluating chemical incompatibility and inherent hazards for safe storage, handling, and processing.

• Review and approve procedures for destruction of extremely hazardous scrap, rejected material, and special equipment.

• Investigating explosive incidents for cause and providing recommendation of corrective actions.

• Managing and implementing the numerous Navy's Occupational Safety and Health Programs that include asbestos, gas-free environment, sight conservation, radiation, mercury, lead, deficiency abatements, and hazardous materials containment. Activities include conducting surveys and periodic compliance evaluations and training.

• Establishing procedures to ensure that shipment, receipt, and storage of energetic materials are conducted in compliance with quantity-distance, compatibility, security, and inventory management requirements.

• Preparing and conducting safety training courses.

• Environmental considerations:

  • Required permits
  • Hazardous waste minimization plan
  • Waste disposal methods for all wastes
  • Spill management plans
  • Potable water use minimization plans
  • Premanufacturing notice and Preliminary environmental assessment (if necessary)

• Review and approve site approval packages for the following:

  • All new construction of facilities used for ammunition and explosives activities
  • Changes in the utilization, mission, or design of explosives facilities
  • Any new construction or modifications to existing buildings that are in close proximity to ammunition or explosives facilities

• Conducts Process Review Boards/Safety Review Committees (PRB/SRC) for the startup of many new facilities or pieces of equipment.