Contents of Annexes Annex 1 List of Partners in EUEXcert Annex 2 ...

Contents of Annexes 

Annex 1 List of Partners in EUEXcert 

Annex 2 List of UK Stakeholders 

Annex 3 Flyers of 1 st and 2 nd EUExcert conference and list of delegates 

Annex 4 Papers presented at conferences 

Annex 5 Details of questionnaire for occupational mapping 

Annex 6 Occupational Map of the UK explosive business

ANNEX 1 

List of Partners in EUExcert 

14

List of Partners 

Sweden 

• Competence Centre Energetic Materials KCEM 

• APEL FOU CENTRUM , Apel RDUnit 

• LÄRCENTRUM MASUGNEN, Learning Centre Masugnen 

• Industrial employed in the Nordic countries 

Italy 

• NITREX 

Finland 

• KEMIA, Chemical workers union 

Norway 

• NAMMO A/S 

UK 

• Cranfield University 

List of Associate Partners 

• European Federation of Explosive Enginers (EFEE) 

15

ANNEX 2 

List of UK Stakeholders 

16

List of UK Stakeholders 

• Army, HQ Land, PATO 

• Army School of Ammunition 

• Association for Petroleum and Explosive Administration 

• Awards UK 

• AWE 

• BAe Systems RO Defence 

• BAe Systems (Operational Training) 

• Black Cat Fireworks 

• British Association of Removers 

• British Pyrotechnists Association (BPA) 

• Chemring 

• COTEC 

• Cranfield University 

• Chemring 

• CITB 

• COGENT 

• Controlled Demolition Group Ltd 

• Cosmic Fireworks 

• Defence General Munitions Integrated Project Team (DGM IPT) 

• Defence Logistics Vocational Qualifications Trust 

• Defence Ordnance Safety Group (DOSG) 

• Defence Movements and Transport Authority (DTMA) 

• Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) 

• Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), 

• Defence Storage and Distribution Agency (DSDA) 

• Defence Manufacturers Associations (DMA) 

• DMS 

• ENTO 

• EPIC Training Ltd 

• Exchem Organics 

• Exchem Defence Systems Ltd 

• Explosive Industry Group (EIG) 

• Freight Transport Association Ltd 

• Halliburtons Manufacturing & Services Ltd 

• Health and Safety (HSE) 

• Home Office 

• IMCSE 

• Institute of Demolition Engineers 

• Institutes of Explosives Engineers 

• Institute of Safety in Technology and Research 

• Insys 

• Kimbolton Fireworks 

• Leafield Engineering 

• Lockheed Martin 

17

• Martin-Baker Aircraft Ltd 

• MBDA Missile Systems UK Ltd 

• MCBU 

• Merseyside Fire Service 

• Merseyside Police 

• MITC 

• National Federation of Demolition Contractors 

• Nobels Enterprises Ltd 

• Offshore Gas and Oil Representative 

• Ordnance Test Solutions 

• OSCEng 

• Pinewood Studios 

• Police 

• PW Defence 

• Qualifications & Curriculum Authority 

• QinetiQ 

• REVETT 

• Ribbands Explosives 

• Ridgway International 

• Road Haulage Association 

• Royal Air Force, IE (RAF), HQ STC, High Wycombe 

• Royal Engineers 

• Royal Navy, HMS Collingwood 

• SEMTA 

• SHEiiBA 

• SITO 

• Skyburst Fireworks 

• Skills for Logistics 

• Skillset Standards Setting Board 

• Thales Missile Electronics Ltd 

• UK Coal plc 

• Wallop Defence Systems Ltd 

• Worshipful Company of Gun Makers 

• WS Atkins 

UK Reference Groups 

There is a total of 120 people in the UK reference group and it is 

divided into the following sub reference groups: 

• Storage and transport of ESA 

• Maintenance of ESA 

• Test and evaluation of ESA 

• Disposal of ESA 

• Safety management of ESA 

• Facilities management of ESA 

• Manufacture of substances for ESA 

18

• Manufacture of articles for ESA 

• Research and development in ESA 

• Procurement of ESA 

• Other applications 

19

ANNEX 3 

Flyers of 1 st and 2 nd EUExcert conferences and list 

of delegates 

20

DELEGATES for EUExcert Conference 2005 

Name 

Organisation 

Mr Markku Tapani Aaltovirta Chemical Workers' Union 

Mr Hans Ahlgren 

Dr Jackie Akhavan 

Mr Pete Bayley 

Mr Evan Bale 

Dr Ian Barnes 

Ms Mara Battocchio 

Ms Ann-Kristina Borelli 

Mr David Cafferty 

Maj (Retd) Nigel Capel 

KCEM 

Cranfield University 

British Computer Society 

Health and Safety Executive 

Defence Ordnance Safety Group 

Nitrex 

Prevent 

BAE Systems Land Systems 

Standards Setting Body for Explosives, 

Munitions and Search Occupations 

Mr Andrew Carrett 

Maj Christopher Child 

Mrs Denise Clarke 


HQ Land 

Standards Setting Body for Explosives, 

Munitions and Search Occupations 

Miss Susan Clarke 

Wg Cdr Graeme Davies 

Troon Investments Ltd 

Defence Explosive Ordnance Training 

Rationalisation Project 

WO Wynne Davies 

DGSAP 

21

Name 

Mr John Dick 

Mrs Nicky Drew 


Organisation 

Awards UK Limited 


Maj Martine Dumont 

Ms Karin Eklund 

Mr Hans-Jorgen Eriksen 

Department of National Defence 

Prevent 

Directorate for Civil Protection and 

Emergency Planning, Norway 

Dr Roberto Folchi 

Ms Charlene Gibson 

Flt Lt Matt Grant 

Mr Alexander Greer 

Mr Roger Guy 

Lt Col Paul Harris 

Mr David Harrison 

Mr Terje Hatlelid 

Mr Mark Hatt 

Lt Cdr Euan Henderson 

Mr Tom Hillier 

Mr Philip Hilton 

Mrs Jane Hughes 

Nitrex 

Dstl 



DGSAP 

HQ Land 

QinetiQ 

Nammo AS 

European Federation of Explosive Engineers 

Royal New Zealand Navy 

British Council 


Troon Investments Ltd 

22


Name 

Organisation 

Mr Mike Humphries 


Mr Steve Hutchings 

Mr Leif Magne Jensen 

Maj Roman Jersák 

Dstl 

Nammo Raufoss AS 

Training and Doctrine Directorate, Military 

Academy Czech Republic 

Mr Tony Jolliffe 

Mr Kent Kärrlander 

Ms Shima Keene 

Ms Emma-Lill Landin 

Maj Normand Legault 

Ms Maria Linstedt 

Ms Evelyn Little 

Prof Dan Loyd 

Mr Ian Martin 

Mr Ian McIntosh 

Mrs Christine McKinley 

Mr Martin Mellbye 

Mr Richard Meredith 

Dr Steve Murray 

Awards UK Limited 

NIF 


Masugnen Lindesberg, Nammo Liab AB 


Masugnen Lindesberg 

Swindon College 

University of Linkoping, Sweden 




Dyno Nobel ASA 

Swindon College 


23

Name 

Mr Erik Nilsson 

Mr Hans Nylund 

Mr Rob Parry 

Mr Dave Perry 


Organisation 

KCEM 

Nammo Vingåkersverken AB 


Dstl 

Dr John Petherbridge 

Mr Jeff Pollard 

Maj Martin Pope 

Mr Phil Randall 

Mrs Hanne Randle 

Dr John Reid 

CWO Kenneth Rerrie 

Maj Graham Robinson 

Mr Adrian Roper 

Ms Margaretha Rosberg 

Mr Ron Scott 

Mr Frank Smith 

Mr Richard Smith 

Mr Sigmund Sofienlund 

Mrs Nadia Sutherland 


AWE 


European & International Programmes Office 

APeL 



DGM IPT 


Industri-och KemiGruppen 

MBDA (UK) Ltd 


SEMTA 

Nammo Raufoss AS 


24


Name 

Organisation 

Mrs Rosalind Swansiger Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory 

Mr Bob Tonkins 

Prof Ian Wallace 

Mr Hans Wallin 

Mr Chris White 

Mr Mike Whittingham 

Mr David Winterborne 

Miss Nikki Woolmore 

SOE Academy Ltd 


KCEM 



Dstl 


25

ANNEX 4 

Papers presented at conferences 

1. Parari conference in Australia, November 03 

Educating the Next Generation of Explosives Specialists 

2. NIXT conference in South Africa, April 05 

Education and Training in the Explosive Sector 

3. EFEE conference in UK, September 05 

Developing and Maintaining Skills in the Explosive Sector 

4. IExpE conference in UK, May 06 

Developing and Maintaining Skills in the UK and European 

Explosives Sector 

26

Educating the Next Generation of Explosives Specialists 

Professor Ian G Wallace, Department of Environmental & Ordnance Systems 

Cranfield University, Royal Military College of Science 

Shrivenham, Swindon SN6 8LA,United Kingdom 

Abstract 

Explosives accidents have claimed the lives of more than a thousand people around the world since the 

turn of the Millennium. Added to the loss of life has been the significant loss of defence capability and 

infrastructure. Many of the accidents have been caused not by failure of design, but by human failure. 

Much of the human failure can be attributed to the lack of competencies, skills and adequate training of 

the people concerned. This paper describes some of the initiatives being taken in the UK and in the 

European Union to ensure that workers in the explosives community have the skills and competencies 

required to safely sustain activities involving explosives. It will describe the development and 

evolution of a range of explosives competencies and the training and qualifications framework being 

developed to generate and maintain the competencies. Finally, the paper will refer to some of the novel 

training approaches which are being applied. 

Explosives Safety 

Since the turn of the Millennium there have been a number of well publicised explosives accidents 

around the world. Annex A, taken from reference 1, details the majority of these. One of the 

characteristics of these accidents is that they frequently have catastrophic consequences. 

In Lagos, Nigeria an ammunition dump exploded, the explosion created mass panic which 

subsequently led to the death of nearly 1000 people, most of whom were children. Another explosives 

accident aboard the Russian submarine led to the loss of 118 sailors, a loss of significant defence 

capability and serious political destabilisation of the Putin Government. In Holland an explosion 

involving fireworks destroyed 200 houses and killed 22 people, whilst in France an explosion involving 

ammonium nitrate destroyed a major industrial facility, killed 30 people and injured around 2000. The 

consequence of explosives accidents is frequently serious in human, economic and political terms. 

Figure 1 – Explosion at Enschede, 13 May, 2000 

27

Examining the cause of explosives accidents invariably reveals that human error or failure is a major 

contributory factor. The Enschede incident in Holland was initiated by a deliberate act by a 

malcontent. However the catastrophic consequences were also a result of management failure, breaches 

of the explosives regulations and a failure to understand that storing fireworks inside steel isocontainers 

generates sufficient confinement to maximise the violence of the event. 

One of the torpedos loaded on the Kursk is known to have been dropped prior to embarkation and this 

may be linked to the torpedo explosion which, the official report suggests, led to the loss of the 

submarine and its crew. In both cases it was the actions of individuals or the failure to act in an 

appropriate way which contributed to the accident. Had the firework company known how 

pyrotechnics might behave under confinement, would they have used iso-containers for storage? Had 

personnel on the keyside known about the sensitivity of the fuel oxidant system of the Kursk torpedos, 

would they have been embarked after being dropped? 

Effective explosives safety depends on people making the right decisions at the right time. It depends 

upon people having the necessary competence to carry out their jobs properly. The concept of 

competence is well recognised in UK safety management. Much of UK safety legislation calls for 

“competent people” in roles that affect safety. In the case of explosives, this will be in all stages of life, 

from the formulation of new explosives in the laboratory, through manufacture, storage, transportation, 

use and disposal. 

The MOD and UK position 

The MOD has an exemplary record in explosives safety. This is in part due to the rigor of the 

regulatory framework that has evolved over many years. It is exempt from the main civil explosives 

Acts of 1875 and 1921, but has put in place a regime which is at least as rigorous than the civil 

legislation. All explosive ordnance entering service is subjected to classification by a competent 

authority and to a safety and suitability for service assessment. Once in-service, explosives are stored, 

transported, processed and used in a highly regulated way. At each stage of life explosives will be in 

the custody of competent personnel, whilst the maintenance of the regulations and staffing of the 

assessment process will require a high level of expertise. Currently the MOD probably has, or has 

access to, sufficient numbers of explosives competent personnel to sustain all of its activities involving 

explosives. 

The future however is less certain. Twenty years ago explosives ordnance for UK armed forces was 

developed in MOD research labs, the explosives were synthesised and manufactured in MOD 

production facilities. There was a large and expert explosives quality assurance function, the Ordnance 

Board and CINO had more than 400 safety specialists to assure safety. In the armament depots and Air 

Force bases there was a cadre of ordnance and explosives specialists. Another substantial group of 

explosives specialists were employed on the nuclear weapons programme. Many of the competent 

staff in place today derived their experience and competence during this period when they had one 

employer (the MOD). Most acquired their broad experience by being encouraged to work in the varied 

environments which MOD could provide. Many in post today will have had experience of research, 

production, quality, assessment and project management. Today the situation is very different. 

Manufacture and production are firmly in the private sector and more recently, much of the explosives 

and ordnance research community has made a similar transition. Nuclear weapons are produced in 

privatised facilities. There is limited movement of staff between these different organisations and it is 

difficult for MOD to recruit or develop explosives specialists with broad experience. 

Whilst the stovepiping of organisations in the explosives business has had an impact on the breadth of 

experience, the general contraction of the explosives business in the UK has had a major impact on the 

numbers of skilled specialists. Added to this many of the UK specialists were recruited in during a 

growth period in defence science and technology in the 1970s and are approaching retirement. A lack 

of recruitment in the late 1970s and 1980s has left a demographic trough, wherein there are insufficient 

skilled explosives specialists to replace those who will be leaving government service in the next few 

years. 

European Union 

28

The picture in the rest of the European Union is similar. Many countries are reporting similar problems 

in finding explosives specialists to fill key posts, especially in the explosives safety area. Scandanavian 

countries are also reporting that the shortage of skills is also affecting the performance of explosives 

and ordnance related industries. However, it is not just a problem of shortage of people, but a problem 

with the competence of people already in the business. 

Leonardo da Vinci Programme 

Cranfield University together with KCEM, a Scandinavian explosives competence organisation, have 

joined with other EU partners in a project funded by the European Union Leonardo da Vinci 

programme. This programme is aimed at replenishing explosives expertise, though vocational training 

and education across the EU. The purpose is not only to ensure the supply of specialists in key 

explosives safety functions, but also to maintain European competitiveness in the ordnance and 

explosives industrial sector. 

To achieve this purpose the project will: 

a) Identify the competencies required to sustain a safe and competitive explosives industry in the 

EU. 

b) Establish the current and future needs for these competencies in the EU. 

c) Develop training and educational programmes designed to develop this range of competencies 

d) Develop a range of novel education and training packages that form part of the programme 

e) Develop explosives qualifications which will be recognised and accepted across Europe 

f) Reverse the decline in expertise, knowledge and skill in European explosives business 

Competencies 

The first challenge in defining competencies is decide the scope of the explosives occupational sector 

to whom they apply. There are large numbers of people working with explosives in the military, and 

civil sectors. Members of the armed services transport, store, use and dispose of explosives on daily 

basis. In the civil sector explosives are used in the mining, offshore and demolition businesses. 

Various levels of expertise are required of the explosives process worker, the research scientist, or the 

managing director of a business handling explosives. An analysis will be made of all of the jobs 

involving work with explosives and a judgement made about those which legitimately fall into the 

sector. 

Once the boundaries are established for the explosives sector, the competencies required of different 

jobs within the sector will need to be established. A competency framework will be developed needed 

to cater for both the breadth of the business and the depth of expertise appropriate to those jobs. 

In a number of areas there are already established competency frameworks that support specific 

business sectors. The Defence Ordnance Safety Group (DOSG) has produced a set of functional 

competencies for explosives safety practitioners. Annex B shows an excerpt from the competency 

framework showing the differing level of expertise which needs to be applied. A job which requires 

someone to develop policy and regulation for explosives safety management requires a high level of 

expertise, compared with someone who needs to follow the rules. 

Business Needs 

Before developing the training and education provision, it will be necessary to establish what the 

current and future requirements will be for people with these competencies. This will require 

engagement with employers of explosives workers. It will require a degree of crystal ball gazing to 

predict future level of industrial activity. Notwithstanding the needs of industry, there will continue to 

be a need for a minimum number of explosives competent staff in defence ministries so long as 

explosives ordnance forms a component of defence capability. 

Qualifications and Accreditation 

To demonstrate competence there is increasingly a requirement to demonstrate that workers possess a 

qualification or other independently assessed level of attainment. In the UK there is currently a major 

29

initiative to rationalise the complex and confusing range of qualifications. The new National 

Qualifications Framework at Annex C has been developed, which aligns vocational qualifications and 

higher education awards. Unlike the previous version, it does not distinguish between general, 

vocationally related and occupational qualifications preferring a continuum approach. Nevertheless, 

universities and higher education establishments will continue to offer more general qualifications, 

whilst employers will be more focussed on occupational qualifications that are more closely related to a 

workers ability to do a specific job. 

A second initiative in the UK is the recent formation of the Sector Skills Councils whose purpose is to: 

• Reduce skills gaps and shortages. 

• Improve productivity, business and public service performance. 

• Increase opportunities to boost the skills and productivity of everyone in the sectors 

workforce, including action on equal opportunities. 

• Improve learner supply, including apprenticeships, higher education and national occupational 

standards. 

The sectors which have greatest relevance to explosives specialists are the Science, Engineering and 

Manufacturing Technology Skills Council (SEMTA) and COGENT, which is the council that looks 

after the chemicals industry. The former has already sponsored the development of National 

Occupational Standards and underpinning National Vocational Qualifications for one part of the 

explosives sector, that of explosives clearance specialists. The approved National Occupational 

Standards and qualifications structures for the NVQs/SVQs shown below are available from 

cdoy@emta.org.uk. 

1 Planning and Management of Munition Clearance Operations – Level 4 

2 Supervisory Management of Munition Clearance and/or Search Operations – Level 3 

3 Search for Munitions and/or Specified Targets – Level 3 

4 Search for and Disposal of Munitions – Level 3 

5 Contribute to the Search and/or Disposal Function – Level 2 

6 Provide Support for Search or Munition Clearance Operations – Level 1 

These can be placed on the new qualification framework as shown in Table 1. 

New Qualifications Framework 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

Explosives Clearance 

Plan & Manage 

NVQ4 

Supervise 

NVQ3 

Search for Munitions 

NVQ3 

Search & Dispose of Munitions 

NVQ3 

Contribute to Search 

NVQ2 

Provide Support to Munitions Clearance NVQ1 

Table 1 – Qualifications for Explosives Clearance Specialists 

Explosives clearance represents only a small proportion of the UK explosives business, however, it is 

one of the few areas where occupational standards and qualifications have been developed. As part of 

the Leonardo programme, the framework will be extended to cover all occupational groups in the 

explosives business. As an example, in the manufacturing sector a similar table could be developed 

with broadly similar functions and qualifications. In the defence acquisition field a similar set of 

framework could be developed for explosives specialists. Because of the high level of expertise 

required of some of these functions, the emphasis would be towards higher education awards, rather 

than vocational or occupational qualifications. Table 2 shows an example of some of the functions in 

both the manufacturing and safety management areas. 

30


Explosives Manufacture 

Plan & Manage Manufacture 

NVQ4/BSc 

Supervise production 

NVQ3 

Contribute to Production 

NVQ2 

Support to Manufacture 

NVQ1 

Explosives Safety Management 

Develop policy and regulations 

Advise IPTs on Ordnance Safety 

Classify & Qualify Explosives 

BSc 

Table 2 – Examples of Explosives Qualification Framework 

MSc 

MSc 

Extending these tables to include all occupational groups, will require consultation with employers 

across both the civil and public sectors. Ideally, this should be done in partnership with the appropriate 

sector skills council. It will also be necessary to decide the qualifications appropriate to each of the 

occupations listed in the framework. In some areas there are already qualifications. The universities 

provide a limited number of relevant masters programmes, whilst professional bodies such as the 

Institute of Explosives Engineers provide accreditation for another group in the sector. However, the 

overall picture is one in which there are insufficient qualifications which can be used to support a 

demonstration of competence across the wide range of explosives related occupations. A key 

deliverable for the project will be to populate the matrix with a range of suitable qualifications to cover 

all aspects of the explosives business. These qualifications should be recognised, not only in the UK, 

but across the European Union. 

Training and Education 

Having established and expanded the competency and qualifications framework, training and education 

provision will also need to be expanded to enable staff to develop their competencies. The expansion 

will partly be through the provision of conventional courses such as those delivered at the UK Defence 

Academy at Shrivenham. Cranfield University offers Masters courses on Explosives Ordnance 

Engineering and a range of short courses on explosives related subjects. These courses are appropriate 

for comparatively small numbers of higher education level students. However, this conventional 

teaching approach has disadvantages in that it takes place away from the workplace and often lacks a 

clear occupational context. Furthermore employers are increasingly reluctant to release valued workers 

for full-time postgraduate courses. Students are also reluctant to be away from their place of work at a 

time when there is almost continual change. To respond, the universities are developing modular 

masters programmes that can be done part-time. Furthermore, much of the material can be delivered 

on-line through the internet. A number of e-learning products are now being employed for this 

purpose. These products enable text, voice, film and conventional lecture presentations to be delivered 

on line at a time that suits the student. Coursework is exchanged by e-mail and course chat lines are 

used to enable the tutor to communicate with students and for students, who could be anywhere in the 

world, to communicate with each other. 

For occupational and vocational training and education, the techniques described above can be used, 

however, there also needs to be close link with the workplace. The Scandanavian project, reported at 

reference 2, was designed specifically for process workers in the munitions manufacturing area. A 

total of 15 students from various parts of Sweden were provided with distance learning material such as 

CDs and written materials. A network of video conferencing links were used for teachers to 

communicate with students individually and in a group. The aim of this one-year educational pilot 

programme was to develop the potential of the students and to make them more flexible and adaptable 

in the workplace. The business advantage for the employers was to be able to react with agility to 

changes in technology and the demands of the market. The pilot has been very successful and the 

Leonardo programme will build on this success. 

Whether the qualification is a Masters degree or a vocational qualification, the educational foundations 

will be similar and much of the educational material will be common to both. As part of the Leonardo 

31

programme a core of educational foundation material will be developed to underpin vocational and 

general qualifications. 

Conclusions 

• The competence of personnel has a significant impact on explosives safety. 

• The UK and European Union are losing expertise and skills in explosives science and 

technology. 

• A competency framework should be developed to embrace all occupations working with 

explosives. 

• Occupational standards and qualifications should be developed to support the competencies. 

• Training and educational provision should be expanded to support the acquisition of 

explosives. 

References 

1. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world 

2. “It-Based distance Method for a Vocational Education Programme for Qualified Operators 

and Technicians in the Swedish Explosives Industry”, Hans Wallin, presented to the 30 th DoD 

Explosives Safety Seminar, Atlanta, August 2002. 

32

Annex A 

Chronology of Worldwide Explosives Accidents 

2003 

19 Sept, Afghanistan Two people killed by accidental explosion near Bagram air base. 

3 Aug, Pakistan. At least 52 people were killed and around 150 injured in an accident in the Diamir 

district. The explosion involved blasting explosives and completely destroyed an entire village. 

27 March, Northern France At least three workers killed in blast at an explosives factory which 

ripped through the plant, a forth is still missing. Homes and shops nearby were also damaged in the 

blast, which appeared to be the result of an industrial accident, traced to a workshop making cartridges 

which contained flammable material. 

4 February, Pakistan At least 17 killed - among those schoolchildren – and 35 more injured – some 

critically, when a container loaded with explosives for making firecrackers blew up at a dry docks. 

3 Feb, Lagos, Nigeria, 33 People died in an accident involving a cache of illegal explosives. 

1 January, Mexico At least 28 killed and 50 injured following an explosion and fire which started at 

an illegal fireworks stand, which engulfed market stalls and nearby buildings. 

2002 

21 November, Ecuador At least five killed and 300 wounded in series of blasts which lasted several 

hours. Explosions appear to have been set off when a grenade was dropped accidentally at the arsenal 

of the towns army munitions dump. 

23 October, India At least 23 killed in separate incidents caused by fireworks explosions - at least 13 

killed in ain an explosion at a warehouse, caused by an electrical short circuit, most of victims were 

staying in a hotel on the top floor of the building; and a huge explosion at a fireworks factory killed 10 

workers and injured 8 others. 

23 August, Indonesia At least 12 killed and 16 injured after sacks of fireworks exploded on board a 

bus. 

10 August, Jalalabad At least 26 killed and 80 injured in accidental blast, which could have been 

caused by negligence in the storing of large quantities of explosives, in a warehouse of a construction 

firm, where a recent explosion occurred. 

28 June, Afghanistan At least 19 killed and 15 injured in a series of explosions at a weapons depot. 

An initial blast triggered a series of smaller explosions, destroying and damaging many nearby houses 

and shops. 

12 May, Iraq Two soldiers killed in accidental munitions explosion. 

13 May, Iraq One solider killed in accidental munitions explosion near Hilla. 

25 May, Iraq One soldier killed and one injured in an apparent accidental blast at a former Iraqi 

munitions dump. 

11 March, China 21 killed and 12 more injured in explosion on a long-distance bus, thought to have 

been caused by fireworks being transported. 

30 January, Lagos More than 600 deaths, with more than 1,000 people still missing – mostly young 

children, three days after explosions at a military armoury. 

33

2001 

29 December, Indian 19 killed in accident involving landmines. Not sure whether they were laying 

mines or undergoing training to defuse them. 

21 September, France Thirty people are killed and 2000 injured in an explosion at a petrochemical 

factory in the south-western city of Toulouse. 

16 August, India: At least 25 people are killed in an explosion at a government-owned dynamite 

factory in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Officials say the blast was caused by an "accidental 

ignition". 

10 August, Portugal: Five people are killed and another is injured in an explosion at a fireworks 

factory in Caldelas, Portugal. 

11 July, Afghanistan: Three people are injured in an explosion at an ammunition depot at Darulaman 

on the southern outskirts of the Afghan capital, Kabul. 

21 July, Russia: Three people are killed and four others are injured in a blaze at an army ammunition 

depot in the Buryat region of eastern Siberia. The accident was reportedly caused by lightning. 

8 June, Vietnam: At least four people are injured and 100 homes are damaged in an explosion at an 

army base in central Vietnam. Reports say 3.5 tons of explosives and ammunition blew up at an army 

warehouse in Hoa They, south of the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi. 

1 June, Pakistan: At least nine people are killed and four others are injured in an explosion at an 

illegal fireworks factory in Lahore. 

7 March, China: At least 37 pupils and four teachers are killed in a blast at a primary school which 

was being used for manufacturing fireworks in Jiangxi province, eastern China. A doctor at the scene 

said pupils had been putting fuses into firecrackers at the time of the explosion. 

3 March, Guinea: At least 10 people are killed after a fire starts a series of explosions at an 

ammunitions dump at army base in the Guinean capital, Conakry. 

2000 

5 August, China: At least 21 people are killed and 25 others are injured in an explosion at an illegal 

fireworks factory in China's Jiangxi province. Officials say the blast, which destroyed a five-storey 

building, was probably caused by a dropped cigarette. 

12 August, Russia: 118 sailors are killed after the sinking of the nuclear submarine Kursk which was 

taking part in an exercise in the Barents sea. There is controversy over the cause but it is thought by 

many to be the result of an explosion on board. 

15 May, Spain: Five people are killed and 18 others are injured in a fire and explosion at a fireworks 

factory in Rafelcofer in Spain. Reports say the blast could be felt 3.5 km (2 miles) away. 

13 May, Netherlands: Twenty people are killed in an explosion at a fireworks factory in the Dutch 

town of Enschede. Another 950 people are injured in the blast, which destroyed about 400 homes. 

14 March, Mexico: Three people are killed and 17 others are injured in an explosion after sparks 

ignite hundreds of fireworks at a religious festival in Santa Ana Jilotzingo. 

13 January, China: Up to 22 people, including 11 children, are killed in a blast at an unregistered 

fireworks factory in Anhui province, eastern China. 

34

Annex B 

Ordnance, Munitions and Explosive Safety Functional Comptencies 

COMPETENCE Level PERFORMANCE CRITERIA OUTCOME 

OME1. Development and 

application of appropriate 

legislation, regulation, MOD 

policy and best practice. 

Awareness 

Practitioner 

OME1.1 Works safely and effectively within an 

OME Safe system of work. 

OME 1.2 Demonstrates an understanding of the 

basis for explosive regulation. 

OME1.3 Ensures compliance with legislation, 

regulation, MOD policy and best practice. 

OME1.4 Demonstrates an awareness of hazards 

applicable to OME and their effects 

OME1.5 Contributes to and produces effective 

regulation or legislation. 

Produce and maintain a safe 

system of OME work 

OME2. Knowledge of 

energetic 

material 

characteristics and interaction 

with other materials. 

Expert 

OME1.6 Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of 

hazards applicable to OME and their effects 

OME2.1 Demonstrates an awareness of properties 

and effects of energetic material. 

OME2.2 Takes informed decisions based on 

knowledge of the properties and effects of energetic 

materials. 

MoD satisfies its safety 

obligations to people, 

property and the 

environment by providing 

accurate advice to IPTs, site 

operators, users etc. 

Practitioner 

Expert 

OME2.3 Demonstrates knowledge of 

environmental effects on energetic material. 

OME2.4 Demonstrates an awareness of the effects 

of external stimuli to energetic material. 

OME2.5 Explains & predicts the effects of 

energetic material on the environment, people and 

infrastructure. 

OME2.6 Explains & predicts environmental effects 

on energetic material. 

OME2.7 Demonstrates a comprehensive 

understanding of the effects of external stimuli to 

energetic material. 

35

Annex C 

Framework for 

Higher Education 

Qualifications 

D 

M 

H 

I 

C 

(Doctoral) 

Doctorates 

(Masters) Masters 

degrees, 

Postgraduate 

certificates & 

diplomas 

(Honours) 

Bachelors degrees, 

Graduate 


diplomas 

(Intermediate) 

Diplomas of HE & 

FE, Foundation 

degrees, Higher 

National Diplomas 

(Certificate) 

Certificates of 


National Qualifications Framework(revised) 

8 

7 

6 

5 

4 

3 

2 

1 

Entry 

Key 

skills 

Key 

skills 

Key 

skills 

Key 

skills 

Key/ 

Basic 

skills 

Basic 

skills 

Vocational 

Dips 

Vocational 

Certs & Dips 

Vocational 

Certs & Dips 

Vocational 

Certs & Dips 

Vocational 

Certs & Dips 

Vocational 

Certs & Dips 

Vocational 

Certs & Dips 

Vocational 

Certs & Dips 


achievement 

[NVQ 5] 

[NVQ 4] 

National 


Framework 

(existing) 

5 Higher Levels 


A Levels NVQ 3 3 Advanced 

GCSE 

(Grades 

A* - C) 

GCSE 

(Grades 

D - G) 

NVQ 2 

NVQ 1 

2 Intermediate 

1 Foundation 

Entry 

36

Education and Training in the Explosive Sector 

Jacqueline Akhavan 

Cranfield University, Defence Academy of UK, Shrivenham, Swindon, SN6 8LA, 

UK 

ABSTRACT 

The manufacture and use of explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics underpins a significant part of the European 

Union economic and industrial activity. An understanding of explosives science and technology and the 

competence to harness it is central to maintaining European explosives capability, national security, and in 

sustaining a competitive European industry. There is a perception, and some evidence, that in Europe, competence 

levels in this key technological area are being eroded. In several member nations a high proportion of the most 

experienced and knowledgeable personnel are retiring or nearing retirement. Urgent efforts are therefore 

underway in some partner nations to replenish this expertise. The U.K. together with Sweden, Norway, Finland 

and Italy are taking part in a Leonardo Da Vinci programme to develop a comprehensive framework which 

describes and categorizes the competences of all workers engaged in the manufacture or use of explosives. This 

paper will outline i) the procedures used to develop the competences for U.K. workers and ii) the development of 

National Occupational Standards for the U.K. and Europe. 

INTRODUCTION 

On Friday 21 st September 2001, 30 people were killed and 2,500 were injured in an 

explosion at an ammonium nitrate factory in Toulouse in France. On 22 nd September 

2001 the Mayor of the city of Toulouse called for all potentially hazardous factories 

and plants to be relocated away from areas where people live. On 5 th September 2003 

the Investigating Judge for this incident dismissed the case against nine of the eleven 

employees, due to lack of evidence. Today the scientific explanation for this disaster 

still remains unanswered. Countless investigations are still ongoing to try to establish 

the long chain of events which occurred in Hangar 221 in Toulouse where the tragic 

explosion took place. On 16 th August 2001 25 people were killed in India due to an 

accidental ignition which led to an explosion in a Government owned dynamite 

factory. In Lagos, Nigeria an ammunition dump exploded, the explosion created mass 

panic which subsequently led to the death of nearly 1000 people, most of whom were 

children. Another explosives accident aboard the Russian submarine Kursk led to the 

loss of 118 sailors, a loss of significant defence capability and serious political 

destabilisation of the Putin Government. In Holland an explosion involving fireworks 

destroyed 200 houses and killed 22 people. These are just a few examples of accidents 

involving explosions around the world. 

Since the turn of the Millennium (Reference 1), there have been a number of wellpublicised 

explosives accidents around the world. One of the characteristics of these 

accidents is that they frequently have catastrophic consequences, not only on humans 

but also on the country’s economic and political arena. Examining the cause of 

explosive accidents often reveals that human error or failure is a major contributory 

factor, as an example one of the torpedoes loaded on the Kursk is thought to have 

been dropped prior to embarkation and this may be linked to the torpedo explosion 

which, the official report suggests, led to the loss of the submarine and its crew. 

Effective explosives safety depends on people making the right decisions at the right 

time. It depends upon people having the necessary competence to carry out their jobs 

properly. The concept of competence is well recognised in U.K. safety management. 

Much of U.K. safety legislation calls for “competent people” in roles that affect 

safety. In the case of explosives, this will be in all stages of life, from the formulation 

37

of new explosives in the laboratory, through manufacture, storage, transportation, use 

and disposal. 

Thirty years ago explosives ordnance for U.K. armed forces was developed in MOD 

research labs, the explosives were synthesised and manufactured in MOD production 

facilities. There was a large and expert explosives quality assurance function, the 

Ordnance Board and CINO had more than 400 safety specialists to assure safety. In 

the armament depots and Air Force bases there was a cadre of ordnance and 

explosives specialists. Another substantial group of explosives specialists were 

employed on the nuclear weapons programme. Many of the competent staff in place 

today derived their experience and competence during this period when they had one 

employer (the MOD). 

Today the situation is very different. Manufacture and production are firmly in the 

private sector and more recently, much of the explosives and ordnance research 

community has made a similar transition. Nuclear weapons are produced in privatised 

facilities. There is limited movement of staff between these different organisations 

and it is difficult for MOD to recruit or develop explosive specialists with broad 

experience. The general contraction of the explosives business in the U.K. has had a 

major impact on the numbers of skilled specialists. Added to this many of the U.K. 

specialists were recruited during a growth period in defence science and technology in 

the 1970s and are approaching retirement. A lack of recruitment in the late 1970s and 

1980s has left a demographic trough, wherein there are insufficient skilled explosives 

specialists to replace those who will be leaving government service in the next few 

years. 

The picture in the rest of the European Union is similar. Many countries are reporting 

similar problems in finding explosives specialists to fill key posts, especially in the 

explosives safety area. Scandanavian countries are also reporting that the shortage of 

skills is also affecting the performance of explosives and ordnance related industries. 

However, it is not just a problem of shortage of people, but a problem with the 

competence of people already in the business. 

LEONARDO DA VINCI PROGRAMME 

Cranfield University together with KCEM, a Scandinavian explosives competence 

organisation, have joined with other EU partners in a project funded by the European 

Union Leonardo da Vinci programme. This programme is aimed at replenishing 

explosives expertise, though vocational training and education across the EU. The 

purpose is not only to ensure the supply of specialists in key explosives safety 

functions, but also to maintain European competitiveness in the ordnance and 

explosives industrial sector. 


• Identify the competencies required to sustain a safe and competitive 

explosives industry in the EU. 

• Establish the current and future needs for these competencies in the EU. 

• Develop training and educational programmes designed to develop this range 

of competencies. 

• Develop a range of novel education and training packages that form part of the 

programme. 

38

• Develop explosives qualifications which will be recognised and accepted 

across Europe 

• Reverse the decline in expertise, knowledge and skill in European explosives 

business. 

The project is now in its second year and this paper highlights the results from 

activities which have been completed so far, together with activities planned for the 

forthcoming year. 

Occupational Mapping 

In order to define the competencies of the workers in the explosives industries, the 

scope of the explosives occupational sector must first be established. Cranfield 

university together with the MoD and other industrial companies approached the 

Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technology Agency (SEMTA), which is 

one of the UK Sector Skills Councils (SSC) (more information on SEMTA and the 

SSC is given in section 3.1). 

SEMTA together with Denise Clark Ltd were asked to develop the national 

occupational standards and national vocational qualifications for occupations in 

explosive substances and articles with the help of Cranfield University, U.K. MoD 

and other organisations. Denise Clark Ltd carried out the following occupational and 

functional maps, together with the competencies. 

An occupational mapping analysis has been carried out on all of the jobs involving 

work with explosives within the U.K. The occupational mapping analysis gives 

information on: 

• the numbers employed in each industry as a whole 

• the numbers of people employed in explosives substances and articles (ESA) 

occupations 

• identification of the relevant roles 

• characterization of the significance of the industries concerned 

• issue, trends and factors affecting education, training, skills and qualifications 

of those involved in explosives handling work and 

• the existing education and training arrangements in each industry. 

The types of explosives substances and articles (ESA) organisations which have been 

identified in the occupational map and the number of workers employed in these 

organisations for the U.K. are presented in Tables 1 and 2 respectively. 

Table 1 Types of explosives substances and articles (ESA) organisations in the U.K. 

Commercial 

Public 

Military 

Industries 

Organisations 

• Special effects & fireworks • Transport & 

• Royal Air 

• Quarrying ,mining, demolition • logistics 

Force 

& construction 

• Police 

• Royal Navy 

• Oil & gas escape mechanisms • Fire prevention & • Army 

• Seismology 

firefighting 

• Avalanche control 

• MoD 

• Motor industry 

• Training & education 

• Research, testing & disposal 

• Defence manufacturing 

39

Table 2 Population of workers involved in explosives substances and articles for the U.K. 

Sector Managerial Supervisor Technician Operator Other Total 

Armed 4841 5410 2921 27,884 2 41,058 

forces 

MoD 412 274 358 548 1592 

1 DSTL 17 46 15 152 16 246 

2 QinetiQ 138 120 178 237 65 738 

3 Others N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 632,508 

1 DSTL is the Defence Science and Technology Laboratories and is a part of the MOD 

2 QinetiQ is a commercial company involved in defence research and testing 

3 these include all the commercial industries from Table 1 plus police, fire prevention & firefighting, 

transport & logistics, and training & education 

Functional Analysis 

The next part of the procedure is to establish a process for analysising the key 

functions of a sector or an occupation; this is known as a ‘functional analysis’. The 

functional analysis provides a functional description of the entire occupational area in 

terms of outcomes. Table 3 gives details of the 13 key roles which have been 

identified for occupations in explosives substances and articles. 

These 13 primary key roles can be broken down into subsidiary roles which allows 

the key roles to be achieved. Examples for key role 1 (research and develop explosive 

substances and articles) and key role 11 (dispose of explosive substances and articles ) 

are shown in Figure 1. 

Table 3 The main functions of explosives substances and articles occupations. 

Key Description 

Roles 

1 Research and develop explosive substances and articles 

2 Develop and manage explosives safety 

3 Test and evaluate explosive substances and articles in field trials 

4 Manufacture explosive substances and articles 

5 Maintain and repair explosive substances and articles 

6 Procure explosive substances and articles 

7 Store and move explosive substances and articles 

8 Transport explosive substances and articles 

9 Manage explosives facilities 

10 Prepare and use explosive substances and articles for engineering and entertainment purposes 

11 Dispose of explosive substances and articles 

12 Enable the pubic and armed services to continue their regular activities in peace and war by 

controlling and removing munition threats 

13 Support the explosive substances and articles function 

40

Figure 1. Examples of key role 1 and key role 11 and their subsidiaries 

41

1.1.1 Create the specification for complex explosives substances and articles 

Contexts 

1 Customer requirements: where a complex detailed technical requirement is provided; 

where a 

general description of requirements is provided 

2 Constraints: resource limitations; possible conflicts of interest 

3 Solutions for addressing customer needs: existing; adaptations to existing solutions; novel 

Criteria – You need to: 

a. work safely at all times, complying with 

health and safety, environmental and 

other relevant regulations and guidelines 

b. wear appropriate PPE 

c. identify or confirm accurately the 

customer’s underlying needs 

d. assess objectively the feasibility of the 

customer’s requirement 

e. determine objectively the best methods by 

which these needs can be addressed 

f. explain fully and clearly to the customer 

and any other relevant people the basis 

for any decisions 

g. identify accurately any operational 

constraints that could affect the research 

and development of the explosive 

substance and/or article 

h. provide relevant and timely advice to the 

customer, expressed in a way that meets 

their requirements 

i. alert the customer promptly to any 

additional information or implications 

that may be in their best interests 

j. consult others who may be affected and 

build their feedback into your 

specification 

k. create a specification that clearly 

addresses all the customer’s requirements 

and your success criteria 

l. create a clear and concise specification 

that contains sufficient detail to enable 

research planning to take place 

m. confirm the customer’s level of 

satisfaction and use the information to 

make further improvements 

n. maintain the requirements of 

confidentiality at all times 

Knowledge – You need to know and 

understand: 

i. health, safety and environmental and 

other statutory legislation, 

regulations and safe working 

practices and procedures governing 

explosives and their implications for 

your area of work 

ii. the relevance of PPE 

iii. your organization’s strategic and 

operational policies and objectives 

iv. how to carry out a feasibility study 

v. how to establish appropriate success 

criteria 

vi. alternative options for meeting the 

customer’s needs 

vii. the underlying needs of the 

customer’s requirements 

viii. when and how to challenge a 

customer’s brief 

ix. when and how to advise a customer 

to pursue a different course of action 

x. the constraints that may affect your 

decisions and plans 

xi. your own level of authority and those 

of others with whom you work 

xii. the requirements of confidentiality 

Figure 2. The competency for key role 1.1.1, ‘Create the specification for complex explosives 

substances and articles’. 

Competencies 

From the functional map the competencies for each outcome is written, an example of 

a competency for key role 1.1.1 (Create specification for ESA) is presented in Figure 

2. From Figure 2 it can be seen that the criteria describes the actual work the 

employee does in undertaking to create a specification, and the knowledge underpins 

the activity. 

42

11.1 Assess explosive substances and/or articles for disposal 

Contexts 

1. Explosive substances and/or articles: immediately identifiable; those which 

require further investigation 

2. Hazards and risks caused by: complexity of the explosive substances or articles; 

condition of the explosive substances or articles; primary hazards; secondary 

hazards 

3. Information: with access to full information; with access to limited information 

Criteria -You need to: 

Knowledge- You need to know and understand: 

a. work safely at all times, 

complying with health and safety, 

environmental and other relevant 

regulations and guidelines 


i. health, safety and environmental and other 

statutory legislation, regulations, safe 

working practices and procedures governing 

explosives and their implications for your 

area of work 

c. identify or confirm the identity of 

explosive substances or articles 

and its condition 

d. characterize accurately the hazards 

pertaining to the disposal 

e. quantify the risks of the disposal 


iii. information sources and documents that 

might identify the explosive substances 

and/or articles 

iv. the design, nature and characteristics of the 

explosive substances and/or articles 

f. record relevant information in 

accordance with your 

v. how to identify the hazards (eg condition, 

primary and secondary) 

organization’s procedures 

g. maintain an appropriate level of 

confidentiality 

vi. how to carry out a risk assessment 

vii. any previous results of tests, trials or 

disposals and manufacturers’ and design 

authorities and scientific literature 

viii. your organization’s recording procedures 

ix. any confidentiality requirements 

x. your own personal level of authority 

xi. when to refer to others for more information 

or a second opinion 

Figure 3. The competency for key role 11.1, ‘Assess explosive substances and/or articles for disposal’. 

The worker should be able to carry out this activity in all the contexts listed in Figure 

2. Another example of a competence is presented in Figure 3. The competence is for 

key role 11.1, ‘assess the explosives substances and articles for disposal’. The total 

number of competencies that have either been written or taken from existing 

competencies for explosives substances and articles occupations is 396. In order to 

assess the competencies and their relevance to the explosive worker, they will be 

assessed by means of validation trials. These trials will be carried out during April 

2005. Details and venues of the trials in the U.K. are presented in Table 4. The results 

of the trials will be fed back into the competencies and the competencies revised 

accordingly. Validation trials of some of the competencies will be carried out by the 

European members of the partner countries who are taking part in the Leonardo da 

Vinci pilot programme. Details of the European trials are also given in Table 4. 

43

Table 4 Details of the validation trials in U.K. and Europe 

Key 

role 

Area to be validated U.K. validation site European 

validation site 

1 Research and develop 

explosive substances and 

articles 

Leafields 


MoD - DSTL Fort Halstead 

U.K. - Cranfield 

University 

2 Develop and manage 

explosives safety 

3 Test and evaluate 


articles in field trials 

4 Manufacture explosive 

substances 


articles 

5 Maintain and repair 


articles 

6 Procure explosive 

substances and articles 

7 Store and move explosive 


8 Transport explosive 


9 Manage explosives 

facilities 

10 Prepare and use explosive 


for engineering and 

entertainment purposes 

11 Dispose of explosive 



MoD - DOSG Safety Advisers 

MBDA 

MoD - MCBU 

AWE 

Army - 11 EOD and AS of A 

BAE Systems 


AWE 



AWE 

MoD - DSTL Porton Down 

Leafields 

MBDA 

Insys 

BAE Systems 

DOSG Safety Advisers (TBC) 

RAF operational unit 

RN (HMS Collingwood) 

MoD - DSDA (DM Kineton ATSG) 


MoD - DPA 

MoD - DLO (DGM IPT) 

BAE Systems 

MBDA 

MoD - DSDA 

RLC 61 Sqdn 

MoD - DOSG (ESTC) 

MoD - DSDA 

Army - RLC 61 Sqdn and AS of A 


MoD - DTMA 

MoD - DSDA 

AWE 



BAE Systems 

MBDA 

Skyburst Fireworks 

Army - RE (Demolitions) 

Army - DMS Demolition 

Offshore 

AWE 


MCBU 


Merseyside Fire & Rescue 


Sweden - Nammo 

Finalnd - Sverige 

Italy - Nitrex 




U.K. - Cranfield 

University 

44

QUALIFICATIONS AND ACCREDITATION 

To demonstrate competence there is increasingly a requirement to demonstrate that 

workers possess a qualification or other independently assessed level of attainment. In 

the U.K. there is currently a major initiative to rationalise the complex and confusing 

range of qualifications. The new National Qualifications Framework shown in Figure 

4 has been developed, which aligns vocational qualifications and higher education 

awards. Unlike the previous version, it does not distinguish between general, 

vocationally related and occupational qualifications preferring a continuum approach. 

Nevertheless, universities and higher education establishments will continue to offer 

more general qualifications, whilst employers will be more focussed on occupational 

qualifications that are more closely related to a workers ability to do a specific job. 

Framework for Higher 

Education Qualifications 

D (Doctoral) Doctorates 8 

M 

H 

I 

C 


degrees, Postgraduate 

certificates & diplomas 

(Honours) Bachelors 

degrees, Graduate 

certificates & diplomas 


Diplomas of HE & FE, 

Foundation degrees, 

Higher National 

Diplomas 

(Certificate) 

Certificates of Higher 

Education 


7 

6 

5 

4 

3 

2 

1 

Key 

skills 

Key 

skills 

Key 

skills 

Key 

skills 

Key/ 

Basic 

skills 

Entry Basic 

skills 

Figure 4. New qualification framework 

Vocational 

Dips 

Vocational 

Certs & 

Dips 

Vocational 

Certs & 

Dips 

Vocational 

Certs & 

Dips 

Vocational 

Certs & 

Dips 

Vocational 

Certs & 

Dips 

Vocational 

Certs & 

Dips 

Vocational 

Certs & 

Dips 

Certificates 

of 

achievement 

[NVQ 5] 

[NVQ 4] 

National 


Framework 





GCSE 

(Grades A* 

- C) 

GCSE 

(Grades D 

- G) 

NVQ 2 

NVQ 1 


1 Foundation 

Entry 

Sector Skills Council 

A second initiative in the U.K. is the formation of the Sector Skills Councils whose 

purpose is to: 


• Improve productivity, business and public service performance. 

• Increase opportunities to boost the skills and productivity of everyone in the 

sectors workforce, including action on equal opportunities. 

45

• Improve learner supply, including apprenticeships, higher education and 

national occupational standards. 

The sectors which have greatest relevance to explosives specialists are the Science, 

Engineering and Manufacturing Technology Skills Council (SEMTA) and COGENT, 

which is the council that looks after the chemicals industry. 

The former has already sponsored the development of National Occupational 

Standards and underpinning National Vocational Qualifications for one part of the 

explosives sector, that of explosives clearance specialists. The approved National 

Occupational Standards and qualifications structures for the NVQs/SVQs are 

available from cdoy@emta.org.uk. These standards and qualifications can be placed 

on the new qualification framework as shown in Table 5. Explosives clearance 

represents only a small proportion of the U.K. explosives business, however, it is one 

of the few areas where occupational standards and qualifications have been 

developed. As part of the Leonardo programme, the framework will be extended to 

cover all occupational groups in the explosives business. 

Table 5 Qualifications for explosives clearance specialists 


Planning and management of munition clearance 

operations 

NVQ4 

Supervisory management of munition clearance and/or 

search operations 

NVQ3 

Search for munitions and/or specified targets 

NVQ3 

Munitions search for and disposal of munitions 

NVQ3 

Contribute to the search and/or disposal function 

NVQ2 

Provide support for search or munition clearance 

operations 

NVQ1 

Table 6 Examples of explosives qualification framework 



Plan & manage manufacture 

NVQ4/BSc 


NVQ3 

Contribute to production 

NVQ2 

Support to manufacture 

NVQ1 



Advise IPTs on ordnance safety 

Classify & qualify explosives 

BSc 

MSc 

MSc 

As an example, in the manufacturing sector a similar table could be developed with 

broadly similar functions and qualifications. In the defence acquisition field a similar 

set of framework could be developed for explosives specialists. Because of the high 

level of expertise required of some of these functions, the emphasis would be towards 

higher education awards, rather than vocational or occupational qualifications. Table 

6 shows an example of some of the functions in both the manufacturing and safety 

management areas. 

46

Qualifications Council Awards 

When the validation trials have been completed and all the 396 competencies have 

been amended, qualifications appropriate to each of the occupations listed in the key 

roles will be written. In the U.K. there are already qualifications in some areas. The 

universities provide a limited number of relevant masters programmes, whilst 

professional bodies such as the Institute of Explosives Engineers provide accreditation 

for another group in the sector. 

However, the overall picture is one in support a demonstration of competence across 

the wide range of explosives related occupations. A key deliverable for the Leonardo 

da Vinci programme will be to populate the matrix with a range of suitable 

qualifications to cover all aspects of the explosives business in Europe and to give 

greater flexibility to the student, who may be able to study a variety of modules in 

different countries in order to gain a qualification in explosives. 

TRAINING AND EDUCATION 

Having established and expanded the competency and qualifications framework, 

training and education provision will need to be expanded to enable staff to develop 

their competencies. The expansion will partly be through the provision of 

conventional courses such as those delivered at the U.K. Defence Academy at 

Shrivenham. Cranfield University offers Masters courses on Explosives Ordnance 

Engineering and a range of short courses on explosives related subjects. The 

universities are also developing modular masters programmes that can be done parttime. 

Much of the material can be delivered on-line through the internet. A number of 

e-learning products are now being employed for this purpose. These products enable 

text, voice, film and conventional lecture presentations to be delivered on line at a 

time that suits the student. Coursework is exchanged by e-mail and course chat lines 

are used to enable the tutor to communicate with students and for students, who could 

be anywhere in the world, to communicate with each other. 

For occupational and vocational training and education, the techniques described 

above can be used, however, there also needs to be close link with the workplace. The 

Scandanavian project (Wallin 2002) was designed specifically for process workers in 

the munitions manufacturing area. Whether the qualification is a Masters degree or a 

vocational qualification, the educational foundations will be similar and much of the 

educational material will be common to both. As part of the Leonardo programme a 

core of educational foundation material will be developed to underpin vocational and 

general qualifications. 

CONCLUSIONS 

The competence of personnel has a significant impact on explosives safety. The U.K. 

and European Union are losing expertise and skills in explosives science and 

technology. A competency framework has been developed to embrace all occupations 

working with explosives. Occupational standards have been written and qualifications 

are currently being developed to support the competencies. The qualifications should 

be recognised and offered by European countries. Training and educational provision 

should be expanded to support the acquisition of explosives. 

REFERENCES 

1. http://news.bbc.co.U.K./1/hi/world 

47

2. Wallin, Hans 2002. It-Based distance Method for a Vocational Education 

Programme for Qualified Operators and Technicians in the Swedish 

Explosives Industry. 30 th DoD Explosives Safety Seminar, Atlanta, U.S.A 

48

Developing and Maintaining Skills in the Explosive Sector 

I.G.Wallace & J.Akhavan 

Cranfield University, Shrivenham Campus, Swindon, SN6 8LA, U.K. 

H.Wallin & E.Nilsson 

Competence Centre Energetic Material, KCEM AB, Gammelbackavägen 6, SE-691 51 Karlskoga, Sweden 

ABSTRACT: The manufacture and use of explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics underpins a 

significant part of the European Union economic and industrial activity. An understanding of explosives 

science and technology and the competence to harness it is central to maintaining European explosives 

capability, national security, and in sustaining a competitive European industry. There is a perception, 

and some evidence, that in Europe, competence levels in this key technological area are being eroded. In 

several member nations a high proportion of the most experienced and knowledgeable personnel are 

retiring or nearing retirement. Urgent efforts are therefore underway in some partner nations to replenish 

this expertise. The U.K. together with Sweden, Norway, Finland and Italy are taking part in a Leonardo 

Da Vinci programme to develop a comprehensive framework which describes and categorizes the 

competences of all workers engaged in the manufacture or use of explosives. This paper will outline i) the 

procedures used to develop the competences for U.K. workers and ii) the development of National 

Occupational Standards for the U.K. and Europe. 

INTRODUCTION 

On Friday 21 st September 2001, 30 people were 

killed and 2,500 were injured in an explosion at an 

ammonium nitrate factory in Toulouse in France. 

On 22 nd September 2001 the Mayor of the city of 

Toulouse called for all potentially hazardous 

factories and plants to be relocated away from 

areas where people live. On 5 th September 2003 

the Investigating Judge for this incident dismissed 

the case against nine of the eleven employees, due 

to lack of evidence. Today the scientific 

explanation for this disaster still remains 

unanswered. Countless investigations are still 

ongoing to try to establish the long chain of events 

which occurred in Hangar 221 in Toulouse where 

the tragic explosion took place. On 16 th August 

2001 25 people were killed in India due to an 

accidental ignition which led to an explosion in a 

Government owned dynamite factory. In Lagos, 

Nigeria an ammunition dump exploded, the 

explosion created mass panic which subsequently 

led to the death of nearly 1000 people, most of 

whom were children. Another explosives accident 

aboard the Russian submarine Kursk led to the 

loss of 118 sailors, a loss of significant defence 

capability and serious political destabilisation of 

the Putin Government. 

In Holland an explosion involving fireworks 

destroyed 200 houses and killed 22 people. These 

are just a few examples of accidents involving 

explosions around the world. 

Since the turn of the Millennium (Reference 1), 

there have been a number of well-publicised 

explosives accidents around the world. One of the 

characteristics of these accidents is that they 

frequently have catastrophic consequences, not 

only on humans but also on the country’s 

economic and political arena. 

Examining the cause of explosive accidents 

often reveals that human error or failure is a major 

contributory factor, as an example one of the 

torpedoes loaded on the Kursk is thought to have 

been dropped prior to embarkation and this may be 

linked to the torpedo explosion which, the official 

report suggests, led to the loss of the submarine 

and its crew. 

Effective explosives safety depends on people 

making the right decisions at the right time. It 

depends upon people having the necessary 

competence to carry out their jobs properly. The 

concept of competence is well recognised in U.K. 

safety management. Much of U.K. safety 

legislation calls for “competent people” in roles 

that affect safety. In the case of explosives, this 

49

will be in all stages of life, from the formulation of 

new explosives in the laboratory, through 

manufacture, storage, transportation, use and 

disposal. 

Thirty years ago explosives ordnance for U.K. 

armed forces was developed in MOD research 

labs, the explosives were synthesised and 

manufactured in MOD production facilities. There 

was a large and expert explosives quality 

assurance function, the Ordnance Board and CINO 

had more than 400 safety specialists to assure 

safety. In the armament depots and Air Force 

bases there was a cadre of ordnance and 

explosives specialists. Another substantial group 

of explosives specialists were employed on the 

nuclear weapons programme. Many of the 

competent staff in place today derived their 

experience and competence during this period 

when they had one employer (the MOD). 

Today the situation is very different. 

Manufacture and production are firmly in the 

private sector and more recently, much of the 

explosives and ordnance research community has 

made a similar transition. Nuclear weapons are 

produced in privatised facilities. There is limited 

movement of staff between these different 

organisations and it is difficult for MOD to recruit 

or develop explosive specialists with broad 

experience. The general contraction of the 

explosives business in the U.K. has had a major 

impact on the numbers of skilled specialists. 

Added to this many of the U.K. specialists were 

recruited during a growth period in defence 

science and technology in the 1970s and are 

approaching retirement. A lack of recruitment in 

the late 1970s and 1980s has left a demographic 

trough, wherein there are insufficient skilled 

explosives specialists to replace those who will be 

leaving government service in the next few years. 

The picture in the rest of the European Union is 

similar. Many countries are reporting similar 

problems in finding explosives specialists to fill 

key posts, especially in the explosives safety area. 

Scandanavian countries are also reporting that the 

shortage of skills is also affecting the performance 

of explosives and ordnance related industries. 

However, it is not just a problem of shortage of 

people, but a problem with the competence of 

people already in the business. 

2 LEONARDO DA VINCI PROGRAMME 

Cranfield University together with KCEM, a 

Scandinavian explosives competence organisation, 

have joined with other EU partners in a project 

funded by the European Union Leonardo da Vinci 

programme. This programme is aimed at 

replenishing explosives expertise, though 

vocational training and education across the EU. 

The purpose is not only to ensure the supply of 

specialists in key explosives safety functions, but 

also to maintain European competitiveness in the 

ordnance and explosives industrial sector. 


g) Identify the competencies required to 

sustain a safe and competitive explosives 

industry in the EU. 

h) Establish the current and future needs 

for these competencies in the EU. 

i) Develop training and educational 

programmes designed to develop this 

range of competencies. 

j) Develop a range of novel education and 

training packages that form part of the 

programme. 

k) Develop explosives qualifications which 

will be recognised and accepted across 

Europe 

l) Reverse the decline in expertise, 

knowledge and skill in European 

explosives business. 

The project is now in its second year and this 

paper highlights the results from activities which 

have been completed so far, together with 

activities planned for the forthcoming year. 

2.1 Occupational Mapping 

In order to define the competencies of the workers 

in the explosives industries, the scope of the 

explosives occupational sector must first be 

established. Cranfield university together with the 

MoD and other industrial companies approached 

the Science, Engineering and Manufacturing 

Technology Agency (SEMTA), which is one of 

the UK Sector Skills Councils (SSC) (more 

information on SEMTA and the SSC is given in 

section 3.1). 

SEMTA together with Denise Clark Ltd were 

asked to develop the national occupational 

standards and national vocational qualifications for 

occupations in explosive substances and articles 

with the help of Cranfield University, U.K. MoD 

and other organisations. Denise Clark Ltd carried 

out the following occupational and functional 

maps, together with the competencies. 

An occupational mapping analysis has been 

carried out on all of the jobs involving work with 

explosives within the U.K. The occupational 

mapping analysis gives information on: 

• the numbers employed in each industry 

as a whole 

50

Table 2 Population of workers involved in explosives substances and articles for the U.K. 


Armed forces 4841 5410 2921 27,884 2 41,058 

MoD 412 274 358 548 1592 

1 DSTL 17 46 15 152 16 246 



1 DSTL is the Defence Science and Technology Laboratories and is a part of the MOD 


3 these include all the commercial industries from Table 1 plus police, fire prevention & firefighting, transport & 

logistics, and training & education 

Table 1 Types of explosives substances and articles 

(ESA) organisations in the U.K. 

Commercial Public 

Military 

Industries Organisations 

Special effects & 

fireworks 

Transport & 

logistics 

Royal Air 

Force 

Quarrying 

,mining, 

demolition & 

construction 

Oil & gas escape 

mechanisms 

Seismology 

Avalanche 

control 

Motor industry 

Research, testing 

& disposal 

Defence 

manufacturing 

Police 

Fire prevention 

& firefighting 

MoD 

Training & 

education 

Royal Navy 

Army 

• the numbers of people employed in 

explosives substances and articles (ESA) 

occupations 

• identification of the relevant roles 

• characterization of the significance of 

the industries concerned 

• issue, trends and factors affecting 

education, training, skills and 

qualifications of those involved in 

explosives handling work and 

• the existing education and training 

arrangements in each industry. 

The types of explosives substances and articles 

(ESA) organisations which have been identified in 

the occupational map and the number of workers 

employed in these organisations for the U.K. are 

presented in Tables 1 and 2 respectively. 

Table 3 The main functions of explosives substances and 

articles occupations. 


Roles 

1 Research and develop explosive substances 

and articles 


3 Test and evaluate explosive substances and 



5 Maintain and repair explosive substances and 

articles 


7 Store and move explosive substances and 

articles 



10 Prepare and use explosive substances and 

articles for engineering and entertainment 

purposes 


12 Enable the pubic and armed services to 

continue their regular activities in peace and 

war by controlling and removing munition 

threats 

13 Support the explosive substances and articles 

function 

2.2 Functional Analysis 

The next part of the procedure is to establish a 

process for analysising the key functions of a 

sector or an occupation; this is known as a 

‘functional analysis’. The functional analysis 

provides a functional description of the entire 

occupational area in terms of outcomes. Table 3 

gives details of the 13 key roles which have been 

identified for occupations in explosives substances 

and articles. 

These 13 primary key roles can be broken 

down into subsidiary roles which allows the key 

roles to be achieved. Examples for key role 1 

(research and develop explosive substances and 

articles) and key role 11 (dispose of explosive 

substances and articles ) are shown in Figure 1. 

51

Figure 1. Examples of key role 1 and key role 11 and their subsidiaries 

2.3 Competencies 

From the functional map the competencies for 

each outcome is written, an example of a 

competency for key role 1.1.1 (Create 

specification for ESA) is presented in Figure 2. 

From Figure 2 it can be seen that the criteria 

describes the actual work the employee does in 

undertaking to create a specification, and the 

knowledge underpins the activity. 

The worker should be able to carry out this 

activity in all the contexts listed in Figure 2. 

Another example of a competence is presented in 

Figure 3. The competence is for key role 11.1, 

‘assess the explosives substances and articles for 

disposal’. The total number of competencies that 

have either been written or taken from existing 

competencies for explosives substances and 

articles occupations is 396. In order to assess the 

competencies and their relevance to the explosive 

worker, they will be assessed by means of 

validation trials. These trials will be carried out 

during April 2005. Details and venues of the trials 

in the U.K. are presented in Table 4. The results of 

the trials will be fed back into the competencies 

and the competencies revised accordingly. 

Validation trials of some of the competencies will 

be carried out by the European members of the 

partner countries who are taking part in the 

Leonardo da Vinci pilot programme. Details of the 

European trials are also given in Table 4. 

3. QUALIFICATIONS AND 

ACCREDITATION 

To demonstrate competence there is increasingly a 

requirement to demonstrate that workers possess a 

qualification or other independently assessed level 

of attainment. In the U.K. there is currently a 

major initiative to rationalise the complex and 

confusing range of qualifications. The new 

National Qualifications Framework shown in 

Figure 4 has been developed, which aligns 

vocational qualifications and higher education 

awards. Unlike the previous version, it does not 

distinguish between general, vocationally related 

and occupational qualifications preferring a 

continuum approach. Nevertheless, universities 

and higher education establishments will continue 

to offer more general qualifications, whilst 

employers will be more focussed on occupational 

qualifications that are more closely related to a 

workers ability to do a specific job. 

52

1.1.1 Create the specification for complex explosives substances and articles 

Contexts 

4 Customer requirements: where a complex detailed technical requirement is provided; where a 

general description of requirements is provided 

5 Constraints: resource limitations; possible conflicts of interest 

6 Solutions for addressing customer needs: existing; adaptations to existing solutions; novel 


o. work safely at all times, complying 

with health and safety, environmental 

and other relevant regulations and 

guidelines 

p. wear appropriate PPE 

q. identify or confirm accurately the 


r. assess objectively the feasibility of the 

customer’s requirement 

s. determine objectively the best 

methods by which these needs can be 

addressed 

t. explain fully and clearly to the 

customer and any other relevant 

people the basis for any decisions 

u. identify accurately any operational 

constraints that could affect the 

research and development of the 

explosive substance and/or article 

v. provide relevant and timely advice to 

the customer, expressed in a way that 

meets their requirements 

w. alert the customer promptly to any 

additional information or implications 

that may be in their best interests 

x. consult others who may be affected 

and build their feedback into your 

specification 

y. create a specification that clearly 

addresses all the customer’s 

requirements and your success criteria 

z. create a clear and concise 

specification that contains sufficient 

detail to enable research planning to 

take place 

aa. confirm the customer’s level of 

satisfaction and use the information to 

make further improvements 

bb. maintain the requirements of 

Knowledge – You need to know and understand: 

xiii. health, safety and environmental and other 

statutory legislation, regulations and safe 

working practices and procedures governing 

explosives and their implications for your 

area of work 

xiv. the relevance of PPE 

xv. your organization’s strategic and operational 

policies and objectives 

xvi. how to carry out a feasibility study 

xvii. how to establish appropriate success criteria 

xviii. alternative options for meeting the 


xix. the underlying needs of the customer’s 

requirements 

xx. when and how to challenge a customer’s 

brief 

xxi. when and how to advise a customer to pursue 

a different course of action 

xxii. the constraints that may affect your decisions 

and plans 

xxiii. your own level of authority and those of 

others with whom you work 

xxiv. the requirements of confidentiality 


Figure 2. The competency for key role 1.1.1, ‘Create the specification for complex explosives substances and articles’. 

3.1 Sector Skills Council 

A second initiative in the U.K. is the formation of 

the Sector Skills Councils whose purpose is to: 


• Improve productivity, business and 

public service performance. 

• Increase opportunities to boost the skills 

and productivity of everyone in the 

sectors workforce, including action on 

equal opportunities. 

• Improve learner supply, including 

apprenticeships, higher education and 

national occupational standards. 

The sectors which have greatest relevance to 

explosives specialists are the Science, Engineering 

and Manufacturing Technology Skills Council 

(SEMTA) and COGENT, which is the council that 

looks after the chemicals industry. 

53

11.1 Assess explosive substances and/or articles for disposal 

Contexts 

4. Explosive substances and/or articles: immediately identifiable; those which require 

further investigation 

5. Hazards and risks caused by: complexity of the explosive substances or articles; 

condition of the explosive substances or articles; primary hazards; secondary hazards 

6. Information: with access to full information; with access to limited information 

Criteria -You need to: 

a. work safely at all times, complying with health 

and safety, environmental and other relevant 



c. identify or confirm the identity of explosive 

substances or articles and its condition 

d. characterize accurately the hazards pertaining to 

the disposal 

e. quantify the risks of the disposal 

f. record relevant information in accordance with 

your organization’s procedures 

g. maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality 

Knowledge- You need to know and understand: 

xii. health, safety and environmental and 

other statutory legislation, regulations, 

safe working practices and procedures 

governing explosives and their 

implications for your area of work 

xiii. the relevance of PPE 

xiv. information sources and documents 

that might identify the explosive 

substances and/or articles 

xv. the design, nature and characteristics 

of the explosive substances and/or 

articles 

xvi. how to identify the hazards (eg 

condition, primary and secondary) 

xvii. how to carry out a risk assessment 

xviii. any previous results of tests, trials or 

disposals and manufacturers’ and 

design authorities and scientific 

literature 

xix. your organization’s recording 

procedures 

xx. any confidentiality requirements 

xxi. your own personal level of authority 

xxii. when to refer to others for more 

information or a second opinion 

Figure 3. The competency for key role 11.1, ‘Assess explosive substances and/or articles for disposal’. 

The former has already sponsored the 

development of National Occupational Standards 

and underpinning National Vocational 

Qualifications for one part of the explosives 

sector, that of explosives clearance specialists. The 

approved National Occupational Standards and 

qualifications structures for the NVQs/SVQs are 

available from cdoy@emta.org.uk. These 

standards and qualifications can be placed on the 

new qualification framework as shown in Table 5. 

Explosives clearance represents only a small 

proportion of the U.K. explosives business, 

however, it is one of the few areas where 

occupational standards and qualifications have 

been developed. As part of the Leonardo 

programme, the framework will be extended to 

cover all occupational groups in the explosives 

business. 

As an example, in the manufacturing sector a 

similar table could be developed with broadly 

similar functions and qualifications. In the defence 

acquisition field a similar set of framework could 

be developed for explosives specialists. Because of 

the high level of expertise required of some of 

these functions, the emphasis would be towards 

higher education awards, rather than vocational or 

occupational qualifications. Table 6 shows an 

example of some of the functions in both the 

manufacturing and safety management areas. 

3.2 Qualifications Council Awards 

When the validation trials have been completed 

and all the 396 competencies have been amended, 

qualifications appropriate to each of the 

occupations listed in the key roles will be written. 

In the U.K. there are already qualifications in 

some areas. The universities provide a limited 

number of relevant masters programmes, whilst 

professional bodies such as the Institute of 

Explosives Engineers provide accreditation for 

another group in the sector. 

54

Table 4 Details of the validation trials in U.K. and Europe 

Key role Area to be validated U.K. validation site European validation site 

1 Research and develop 


articles 

Leafields 



U.K. - Cranfield University 

2 Develop and manage 

explosives safety 

3 Test and evaluate 




substances 


articles 

5 Maintain and repair 


articles 

6 Procure explosive 


7 Store and move explosive 


8 Transport explosive 


9 Manage explosives 

facilities 

10 Prepare and use explosive 


for engineering and 


11 Dispose of explosive 




MBDA 

MoD - MCBU 

AWE 


BAE Systems 


AWE 



AWE 

MoD - DSTL Porton Down 

Leafields 

MBDA 

Insys 

BAE Systems 

DOSG Safety Advisers (TBC) 

RAF operational unit 

RN (HMS Collingwood) 

MoD - DSDA (DM Kineton 

ATSG) 


MoD - DPA 

MoD - DLO (DGM IPT) 

BAE Systems 

MBDA 

MoD - DSDA 

RLC 61 Sqdn 


MoD - DSDA 

Army - RLC 61 Sqdn and AS 

of A 


MoD - DTMA 

MoD - DSDA 

AWE 



BAE Systems 

MBDA 

Skyburst Fireworks 

Army - RE (Demolitions) 

Army - DMS Demolition 

Offshore 

AWE 


MCBU 


Merseyside Fire & Rescue 



Finalnd - Sverige 





U.K. - Cranfield University 

55

Framework for Higher 

Education Qualifications 

D 

M 

H 

I 

C 

(Doctoral) 

Doctorates 


degrees, 

Postgraduate 


diplomas 

(Honours) 

Bachelors degrees, 

Graduate certificates 

& diplomas 


Diplomas of HE & 

FE, Foundation 

degrees, Higher 

National Diplomas 

(Certificate) 




8 Vocational Dips 

7 

6 

5 

4 

3 

2 

1 

Entry 

Figure 4. New qualification framework 

Key 

skills 

Key 

skills 

Key 

skills 

Key 

skills 

Key/ 

Basic 

skills 

Basic 

skills 

Vocational Certs 

& Dips 


& Dips 


& Dips 


& Dips 


& Dips 


& Dips 


& Dips 

Certificates 

achievement 

of 

[NVQ 5] 

[NVQ 4] 

National 


Framework 





GCSE 

(Grades A* - C) 

GCSE 

(Grades D - G) 

NVQ 2 

NVQ 1 


1 Foundation 

Entry 

However, the overall picture is one in support a 

demonstration of competence across the wide 

range of explosives related occupations. A key 

deliverable for the Leonardo da Vinci programme 

will be to populate the matrix with a range of 

suitable qualifications to cover all aspects of the 

explosives business in Europe and to give greater 

flexibility to the student, who may be able to study 

a variety of modules in different countries in order 

to gain a qualification in explosives. 

4 TRAINING AND EDUCATION 

Having established and expanded the competency 

and qualifications framework, training and 

education provision will need to be expanded to 

enable staff to develop their competencies. The 

expansion will partly be through the provision of 

conventional courses such as those delivered at the 

U.K. Defence Academy at Shrivenham. Cranfield 

University offers Masters courses on Explosives 

Ordnance Engineering and a range of short courses 

on explosives related subjects. The universities are 

also developing modular masters programmes that 

can be done part-time. Much of the material can be 

delivered on-line through the internet. A number 

of e-learning products are now being employed for 

this purpose. These products enable text, voice, 

film and conventional lecture presentations to be 

delivered on line at a time that suits the student. 

Coursework is exchanged by e-mail and course 

chat lines are used to enable the tutor to 

communicate with students and for students, who 

could be anywhere in the world, to communicate 

with each other. 

For occupational and vocational training and 

education, the techniques described above can be 

used, however, there also needs to be close link 

with the workplace. The Scandanavian project 

(Wallin 2002) was designed specifically for 

process workers in the munitions manufacturing 

area. 

56

Table 5 Qualifications for explosives clearance specialists 


Planning and management of munition clearance 

operations 

NVQ4 

Supervisory management of munition clearance and/or 

search operations 

NVQ3 

Search for munitions and/or specified targets 

NVQ3 

Munitions search for and disposal of munitions 

NVQ3 

Contribute to the search and/or disposal function 

NVQ2 

Provide support for search or munition clearance 

operations 

NVQ1 

Table 6 Examples of explosives qualification framework 



Plan & manage manufacture 

NVQ4 

BSc 


NVQ3 

Contribute to production 

NVQ2 

Support to manufacture 

NVQ1 



Advise IPTs on ordnance safety 

Classify & qualify explosives 

BSc 

MSc 

MSc 

Whether the qualification is a Masters degree 

or a vocational qualification, the educational 

foundations will be similar and much of the 

educational material will be common to both. As 

part of the Leonardo programme a core of 

educational foundation material will be developed 

to underpin vocational and general qualifications. 

5 CONCLUSIONS 

• The competence of personnel has a 

significant impact on explosives safety. 

• The U.K. and European Union are losing 

expertise and skills in explosives science 

and technology. 

• A competency framework has been 

developed to embrace all occupations 

working with explosives. 

• Occupational standards have been 

written and qualifications are currently 

being developed to support the 

competencies. 

• The qualifications should be recognised 

and offered by European countries. 

• Training and educational provision 

should be expanded to support the 

acquisition of explosives. 

6 REFERENCES 

1. http://news.bbc.co.U.K./1/hi/world 

2. Wallin, Hans 2002. It-Based distance Method for a 

Vocational Education Programme for Qualified 

Operators and Technicians in the Swedish Explosives 

Industry. 30 th DoD Explosives Safety Seminar, 

Atlanta, U.S.A. 

57

Developing and Maintaining Skills in the UK and European Explosives 

Sector 

Presenter: Professor I G Wallace, Head of Department of Environmental & 

Ordnance Systems, Cranfield University/RMCS, Shrivenham Campus, 

Swindon, Wiltshire SN6 8LA UK. Tel: +44 (0)1793 785681, Fax: +44 

(0)1793 785772, Email: I.G.Wallace@cranfield.ac.uk 

Co-authors: 

Dr J Akhavan, Department of Environmental & Ordnance Systems, Cranfield 

University University/RMCS, Shrivenham Campus, Swindon, Wiltshire SN6 

8LA UK. Tel: +44 (0)1793 785324, Fax: +44 (0)1793 785772, Email: 

J.Akhavan@cranfield.ac.uk 

R Parry, DOSG BM1b, Defence Ordnance Safety Group, Ash 2b #3212, MoD 

Abbey Wood, Bristol BS34 8JH UK. Tel: +44 (0)117 9135547, Fax: +44 

(0)117 9135903, Email: DOSGBM1@dpa.mod.uk 

Denise Clarke, Denise Clarke Ltd, 52 Ickburgh Road, London E5 8AD, +44 

(0)2088064910, Email: denise.clarke@atlas.co.uk 

Maj Nigel Capel, Director ESA Standards Project, Room 16, Building 29, 

Brompton Barraks, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4UG, +44 (0)1634 822455, Email: 

Nigel.capel@re-cpd.org.uk 

Abstract 

Explosives accidents have claimed the lives of more than a thousand people 

around the world since the turn of the Millennium. Added to the loss of life 

has been the significant loss of defence capability and infrastructure. Many of 

the accidents have been caused not by failure of design, but by human failure. 

Much of the human failure can be attributed to the lack of competencies, skills 

and adequate training of the people concerned. 

The presentation will describe some of the initiatives being taken in the UK 

and in the European Union to ensure that workers in the explosives community 

have the skills and competencies required to safely sustain activities involving 

explosives. It will describe the development and evolution of a range of 

National Occupational Standards for all personnel employed in explosives 

occupations. It will outline the qualifications framework being developed to 

58

generate and maintain the standards and finally, the presentation will refer to 

some of the novel training approaches which are being developed. 

Professor Ian G Wallace, BSc, PhD, FRSC – Is Head of Department of 

Environmental and Ordnance Systems at Cranfield University, at the Royal 

Military College of Science. He was formerly Director of Ordnance Safety and 

Vice President of the Ordnance Board, Chief Inspector of Explosives for 

MOD, previous senior posts include Director of Safety Policy and Director of 

Standardisation in the PE, Ordnance Scientific Advisor in the Naval Support 

Command, Director of Information Systems for Controller Air, Project 

Manager for Air Launched Weapons in the Directorate of Air Armament. Prior 

to this spent 9 years at ERDE & PERME at Waltham Abbey engaged on 

studies into the ageing of rocket propellants and energetic materials. Particular 

interests include ageing, IM and environmental assessment. 

Introduction 

At PARARI 2003 1 and the DoD Explosives Safety Seminar of 2004 2 the 

authors reported on the commencement and progress of an initiative to improve 

the skills and competence of workers in the explosives sector in the UK and 

European Union. This initiative is in response to growing concerns that, as a 

result of demographic trends and significant restructuring and downsizing of 

the explosives industrial sector, the UK and other nations were losing critical 

expertise from the explosives sector. Given that many explosives accidents can 

be attributed to human failure there is a real risk that the frequency of such 

accidents could increase. Furthermore the loss in expertise could compromise 

the ability of the UK and EU to maintain the high level of competence required 

to develop, manufactore and operate high quality high technology ordnance 

and munition products. 

Since the publication of these papers significant progress has been made in 

both the UK and in Europe. 

UK National Occupational Standards 

The UK’s department of Education and Skills recognised that competitive 

advantage could only be achieved through having a workforce with the 

necessary skills for the 21 st century. It established the Sector Skills 

Development Agency (SSDA) to sponsor the creation of Sector Skills Councils 

responsible for different sectors of the UK economy. There are 25 such SSCs 

covering 80% of the UK workforce. They are employer-led, independent 

organisation that covers a specific sector across the UK. Their four key goals 

are: 

59

• to reduce skills gaps and shortages 

• improve productivity, business and public service performance 

• increase opportunities to boost the skills and productivity of everyone 

in the sector's workforce 

• improve learning supply including apprenticeships, higher education 

and National Occupational Standards (NOS). 

There are for example SSCs covering the Automotive industries, information 

technologies, the chemical and nuclear industries. The British Army 

approached one of these councils which represents Science, Engineering and 

Manufacturing Technologies (SEMTA) in order to develop National 

Occupational Standards (NOS) for military personnel engaged in explosives 

search and clearance activities. The council established a Standards Setting 

Body (SSB) to develop occupational standards for six different search and 

clearance occupations. The standards define the knowledge and skills required 

to be competent in any one of the occupations. National Vocational 

Qualifications (NVQs) were introduced for each of the occupations. These 

were launched in 2003 and the are now being used to recognize the skills and 

knowledge acquired during military training. 

The launch of the search and clearance occupations NVQs occurred at a time 

when many organisations in the UK explosives sector were coming to terms 

with an approaching skills deficit. The approach used for the British Army for 

search and clearance occupations provided a useful model for the rest of the 

sector. It was decided to expand the scope of the SSB to cover all explosives 

related occupations and to seek to develop occupational standards for all 

workers, both military and civilian, working with explosives. Stakeholders 

representing major employer groups were invited to join the SSB to help 

develop occupational standards. The title of the SSB was change to reflect this 

expanded role for developing occupational standards for Explosives 

Substances and Articles (ESA). 

The first task for the SSB was to establish an Occupational Map for the 

sector. This provides a concise overview of the explosives sector. It describes 

the main employers and stakeholders, the numbers employed in the various 

sub-sectors, career progression and development for selected job roles, key 

trends and drivers for change within the sector and key characteristics of 

employment in the sector. The occupational map provided for the first time in 

the UK an estimate of the numbers employed in the sector. Table1 shows the 

principal employing organisations. 

60

Commercial 

Public 

Military 

Industries 

Organisations 

Special effects & fireworks 

Quarrying ,mining, demolition 

& construction 

Oil & gas escape mechanisms 

Seismology 

Transport & logistics 

Police 

Fire prevention & 

firefighting 

MoD 

Royal Air Force 

Royal Navy 

Army 

Motor industry 

Research, testing & disposal 

Defence manufacturing 

Training & education 

.Table 1 Types of explosives substances and articles (ESA) organisations in the 

U.K. 


Armed 4841 5410 2921 27,884 2 41,058 

forces 

MoD 412 274 358 548 1592 

1 DSTL 17 46 15 152 16 246 



Table 2 Population of workers involved in explosives substances and articles 

for the U.K. 

1 DSTL is the Defence Science and Technology Laboratories and is a part of the 

MOD 


3 these include all the commercial industries from Table 1 plus police, fire 

prevention & firefighting, transport & logistics, and training & education. 

Once the occupational mapping was complete a Functional Map developed. 

This describes the functions, or activities, that are carried out across the sector, 

and aims to identify functions that are common to two or more sub-sectors and 

those that are specialist. The occupational mapping revealed the wide scope of 

the explosives business and the diversity of activity. To make subsequent 

development more manageable it was decided to break the business down into 

the Key Roles undertaken within the sector. Table 3 shows the key roles 

undertaken by explosives workers in the UK. 

. 

61


Roles 

1 Research and develop explosive substances and articles 


3 Test and evaluate explosive substances and articles in field trials 


5 Maintain and repair explosive substances and articles 


7 Store and move explosive substances and articles 



10 Prepare and use explosive substances and articles for engineering and 



12 Enable the pubic and armed services to continue their regular activities 

in peace and war by controlling and removing munition threats 

13 Support the explosive substances and articles function 

Table 3 The main functions of explosives substances and articles occupations 

Having established the key roles further workshops were conducted with 

employers engaged in undertaking these roles. These occupational working 

groups conducted functional analysis workshops, which were lively and 

sometimes contentious, attempted to derive all of the activities necessary to 

conduct a key role. Different organisations used different vocabulary to 

describe an activity and often expected different things from their workers. 

Consensus was finally achieved in all but a few areas. The analysis breaks 

down each key role into a series of activities some of which can be further subdivided. 

The first example in figure 1 shows the results of part of the functional 

analysis for a worker undertaking research into explosives. 

In total some 60 principal activities were identified for this key role many of 

which can be further subdivided to give a total of 124 activities which might be 

performed to undertake research and development work on explosives 

substances and articles. Many of these activities are specific to explosives 

research whilst others are generic in nature and would typically be undertaken 

to support any research activities. Thus activities 1.26 to 1.60 are occupational 

standards drawn from other occupational standards appropriate for laboratory 

workers. 

62

1.Research & Develop Explosive Substances & Articles 

1.1 Create Complex Specification for Explosives Substances / Articles 

1.2 Create Specification 

1.3 Gather & Interpret Information 

1.4 Prepare Research Programme 

1.4.1 Gather and Interpret 

1.4.2 Interpret & Present 

1.42 Carry out Testing Operations 

1.42.1 Establish Testing 

1.42.1 Prepare for Testing 

1.42.3 Prepare Test Samples 

1.42.4 Conduct Routine Tests 

1.42.5 Record Test Results 

Figure 1 – Part of Functional Analysis of Explosives research Worker 

For each of the key roles specific explosives standards are augmented by more 

generic occupational standards. Each of these activities is known as a unit of 

competence. For all of the 13 key roles a total of nearly 400 units of 

competence were identified by the occupational working groups. For each unit 

of competence there is a statement regarding context and describing the 

knowledge required to undertake that activity and a description of what the 

person must be able to do. For the 124 units of competence relating to research 

and development there are statements of context, criteria and knowledge. Table 

2 shows the competency statement for key role 1.1 which is a description of 

what someone needs to know and be able to do to “create the complex 

specification for explosive substances and/or articles. 

63

Contexts 

1. Customer requirements: where a complex detailed technical requirement is 

provided; where a general description of requirements is provided 

2. Constraints: resource limitations; possible conflicts of interest 

3. Solutions for addressing customer needs: existing; adaptations to existing 

solutions; novel 


a. work safely at all times, complying 

with health and safety, 

environmental and other relevant 



c. identify or confirm accurately the 


d. assess objectively the feasibility of 

the customer’s requirement 

e. determine objectively the best 

methods by which these needs can 

be addressed 

f. explain fully and clearly to the 

customer and any other relevant 

people the basis for any decisions 

g. identify accurately any operational 

constraints that could affect the 

research and development of the 

explosive substance and/or article 

h. provide relevant and timely advice 

to the customer, expressed in a way 

that meets their requirements 

i. alert the customer promptly to any 

additional information or 

implications that may be in their 

best interests 

j. consult others who may be affected 

and build their feedback into your 

specification 

k. create a specification that clearly 

addresses all the customer’s 

requirements and your success 

criteria 

l. create a clear and concise 

specification that contains sufficient 

detail to enable research planning to 

take place 

m. confirm the customer’s level of 

satisfaction and use the information 

to make further improvements 

n. maintain the requirements of 


Knowledge – You need to know and 

understand: 

i. health, safety and environmental and 

other statutory legislation, 

regulations and safe working 

practices and procedures governing 

explosives and their implications for 

your area of work 


iii. your organization’s strategic and 

operational policies and objectives 

iv. how to carry out a feasibility study 

v. how to establish appropriate success 

criteria 

vi. alternative options for meeting the 


vii. the underlying needs of the 

customer’s requirements 

viii. when and how to challenge a 

customer’s brief 

ix. when and how to advise a customer 

to pursue a different course of action 

x. the constraints that may affect your 

decisions and plans 

xi. your own level of authority and those 

of others with whom you work 

xii. the requirements of confidentiality 

Table 4 – Competency 1.1 for “Create the complex for exposive substances and/or articles” 

64

The National Occupational Standards (NOS) for each key role therefore consist 

of collection of these units or statements of competence which in the case of 

research and development runs 124 such statements. For key role 11 (ESA 

disposal) there are 27 units of competence. 

The National Occupational Standards have now been submitted to the UK 

National Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) for approval. 



Once the NOSs have been approved qualifications based on these standards 

can then be developed. For Universities and higher education establishments 

the NOS will help to guide the curriculum and content of many of their 

courses. The emphasis in universities is however imparting knowledge and 

understanding rather than practical skills to undertake a particular job. For 

many courses the knowledge will be much wider than that required for a single 

key role. For postgraduate awards especially research based degrees the 

universities will not just be assessing knowledge but also the students ability to 

apply that knowledge to conduct research. For the student possession of a 

higher degree informed by National Occupational Standards will help provide 

evidence that they can meet the occupational standard should they 

subsequently wish to acquire a vocational award. 

Professional Bodies 

Professional bodies and institutions also have a considerable interest in the 

development of occupational standards. Many are responsible for awarding 

chartered status to their members to enable them to operate as professional 

engineers or scientists. Again occupational standards, which define both the 

knowledge and skills necessary to perform competently in a work environment 

can be used in assessing whether a candidate is worthy of chartered status. 

Vocational Qualifications 

Arguably the greatest value of occupational standards is for the award of 

vocational qualifications. National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and 

Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) are based on NOS. The 

65

occupational working groups and the SSB have therefore used the occupational 

standards to derive a qualifications framework for all explosives workers. In 

doing so the working groups had to consider for each key role the different 

levels of activity required to accomplish a key role. It distinguishes between 

those with responsibility for managing an activity, those who supervise those 

who undertake and those who support. Table 5 shows the proposed 

qualifications framework for explosives occupations. 

Key role 

NVQ 

Level 2 

NVQ 

Level 3 

NVQ 

Level 4 

1. Research, Design and Development X X 

2. Safety Management X 

3. Test & Evaluation X X X 

4. Manufacture X X X 

5. Maintenance X X X 

6 Procurement X X 

7 Storage X X X 

8 Transport X X 

9 Facilities management X X 

11 Disposal X X X 

Hybrid 

X 

Table 5 – Qualifications Framework for Explosives Workers 

Each qualification has a set of associated units of competence depending on the 

level of the vocational qualification and the key role. So for someone 

undertaking a research management role the relevant key role. Some of the 

units of competence are deemed mandatory whilst others are optional. To 

acquire the qualification candidates will need to demonstrate that they have 

both the knowledge and skills associated with each unit of competence. 

The units appropriate to someone operating at level 4 in research the are shown 

in table 6. 

66

Unit No Unit of Competence Mandatory Optional 

1.2 Create a specification for ans explosive substance or 

article 

1.3 Assimilate & evaluate information on ESA X 

1.4 Gather and interpret information on ESA X 

1.7 Prepare a research programme for ESA X 

1.8 Submit proposals for research work on ESA X 

1.9 Plan the research on ESA X 

1.11 Carry out investigations and analyse the information 

collected on ESA 

1.14 Assess and document research findings into ESA X 

1.15 Develop a dissemination plan for ESA X 

1.17 Design the scale-up process for ESA X 

3.1 Establish the performance criteria for ESA X 

3.7 Validate trial or test procedure for ESA X 

3.17 Evaluate the results of trials of ESA X 

11.1 Assess the ESA for disposal 

13.3 Manage own resources and professional development X 

13.7 Provide leadership in your area of responsibility X 

13.9 Provide explosives technical or safety advice and/or 

guidance to others 

13.10 Make presentations on explosives matters X 

13.16 Manage explosive safety X 

Candidates must achieve all nine mandatory units and 3 further optional units including 1 from 

each key role 

X 

X 

X 

Table 6 – Level 4 N/SVQ in Research, Design and Development of Explosive 

Substances and Articles 

Candidates are normally assessed at their place of work by qualified assessors. 

The choice of optional modules will be driven by the precise nature of the job. 

67

Leonardo Da Vinci Programme 

The Leonardo Da Vinci programme is a European Union Programme to 

improve skills, worker mobility and training in the European Union. The EU 

Excert project is aimed at workers in the explosives sector. The three year 

programme is drawing from the best practice in the explosives sector around 

Europe and wider. In particular it is drawing on the work being carried out in 

the UK on National Occupational Standards and on workplace learning 

initiatives in Scandanavia. The UK NOSs have been exposed to working 

groups in several different countries to establish to what extent they fulfil the 

needs of that country. So far they have been well received although there is still 

a considerable consultation to be completed. The EU Excert project has also 

been examining the way in which a European Qualifications Framework might 

be established. The favoured approach is based on the one used in the awarding 

of European Computer Driving Licence. This approach uses a common 

syllabus for training and education and a European IT Foundation has 

oversight of national awarding bodies in each EU country. This ensures that 

the standard of the qualification is consistent across the EU. 

The EU Excert programme is also looking at improving training provision for 

explosives workers in Europe. Drawing on the occupational standards work the 

first step is to agree what it is that workers need to know and be able to do. 

From this training plan and sillibi can be developed by training and educational 

organisations. 

Training & Education 

Training provision in Europe is patchy. The armed services in many nations 

have comprehensive programmes for their service personnel who work with 

explosives. Some commercial companies also have quite effective in-house 

training. There are a number of colleges and universities offering explosives 

related courses some of which lead to formal qualifications. However there is 

little consistency of approach and there are whole areas where there is little or 

no training provision. The Eu Excert project will be producing a database of 

explosives related training available in the EU. In the meantime efforts are 

been made to improve provision. In Sweden KCEM are working to improve 

work place learning which involves the delivery of courses by video 

68

conferencing. In the UK Cranfield is developing internet based versions of 

modules of its postgraduate explosives courses. 

Next Steps 

Over the next few months it is anticipated that the NOS in the UK will be 

approved by the QCA and will be placed in the public domain. Training 

organisations will be preparing to develop courses an assessment regimes for 

the new national vocational qualifications. In Europe the first phase of the EU 

Excert project will complete and the results disseminated in the form of reports 

and presentation at conferences and symposia. 

69

ANNEX 5 

Details of Questionnaire for Occupational Mapping 

70

SECTION 1 RESPONDENT’S DETAILS 

Name: 

Organization/Unit: 

Address: 

Telephone number: (military) (civilian) 

Email address: (military) (civilian) 

Job Title: 

SECTION 2 NUMBERS EMPLOYED 

How many people are there in total in your organization/unit? 

How many people are there in jobs that involve explosive substances? Of these, how many are managers, 

supervisors, technicians, operators and other roles? Please complete the table below. 

Rank Job/role Manage Supervise Technical Operator Other 

Please list any additional occupations that involve explosive substances not listed above 

71

Please list specimen job titles and brief role description for any role that you have identified that is not listed 

here. 

How many candidates do you think there might be for a qualification? Please list those roles for which you think 

there might be a demand for a qualification and the numbers you expect would want a qualification. 

Role 

Managerial 

qualification 

Supervisory 

qualification 

Technician 

qualification 

Operator 

level 

qualification 

Other role 

qualification 

72

SECTION 3 OTHER QUALIFICATIONS 

What relevant qualifications does your organization/unit use at present? For example, if your organization/unit 

has a warehousing facility, do you use vocational qualifications in Warehousing and Distribution? Please list the 

qualifications (full titles and level) and the body that awards them. Please list both vocational and other 

qualifications eg degrees. 

Qualification title and level 

Awarding body 

73

ANNEX 6 

Occupational Map of the UK explosive business 

74

52, Ickburgh Road, London E5 8AD 

Telephone / Fax: 020 8806 4910 

Mobile: 0780 8296278 

E mail: denise.clarke@atlas.co.uk 

REPORT TO MAJOR NIGEL CAPEL 

STANDARDS SETTING BODY FOR 

EXPLOSIVES, MUNITIONS AND SEARCH 

OCCUPATIONS 

OCCUPATIONAL MAP 

EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCES & ARTICLES (ESA) 

OCCUPATIONS 

6 August 2004 

75

CONTENTS 

Introduction ..........................................................................................................1 

• Background............................................................................................1 

• Objectives ..............................................................................................2 

• Hazard classes ......................................................................................3 

• Stakeholders..........................................................................................3 

Structure, issues and trends affecting the sector .................................................5 

• The sub-sectors .....................................................................................6 

• MoD .......................................................................................................6 

• Defence Procurement Agency ...............................................................7 

• Defence Ordnance Safety Group...........................................................8 

• Defence Logistics Organization .............................................................9 

• Munitions Business Area .....................................................................10 

• Defence Storage and Distribution Agency ...........................................12 

• Royal Navy ..........................................................................................14 

• Army ....................................................................................................14 

• Royal Air Force ....................................................................................15 

• Defence research.................................................................................16 

• Defence manufacturing........................................................................19 

• Coal mining..........................................................................................20 

• Quarrying .............................................................................................22 

• Oil and gas extraction ..........................................................................23 

• Explosives manufacturing ....................................................................25 

• Disposal ...............................................................................................25 

• Firearms proofing.................................................................................26 

• Motor industry ......................................................................................28 

• Demolition............................................................................................28 

• Transport and storage..........................................................................29 

• Fireworks .............................................................................................31 

• Performing arts special effects.............................................................33 

Numbers employed within the sector .................................................................35 

• Numbers employed within the sector...................................................35 

• Total industry size................................................................................35 

• Numbers employed in OME occupations in commercial applications..36 

• Armed forces and MoD employees in OME occupations.....................40 

• Armed forces .......................................................................................40 

• MoD .....................................................................................................43 


• Grand totals .........................................................................................51 

76

Roles ......................................................................................................................52 

• The sub-sectors ...................................................................................52 

• MoD .....................................................................................................52 

• Defence Procurement Agency .............................................................52 

• Defence Ordnance Safety Group.........................................................52 

• Defence Logistics Organization ...........................................................54 

• Munitions Business Area .....................................................................54 

• Defence Storage and Distribution Agency ...........................................56 

• Royal Navy ..........................................................................................58 

• Army ....................................................................................................60 


• Defence research and test and evaluation...........................................64 






• Disposal ...............................................................................................72 



• Demolition............................................................................................77 


• Fireworks .............................................................................................80 


Education and training arrangements ................................................................83 

• The sub-sectors ...................................................................................83 

• MoD civilians........................................................................................83 

• Royal Navy ..........................................................................................83 

• Army ....................................................................................................83 








• Disposal ...............................................................................................85 



• Demolition............................................................................................86 


• Fireworks .............................................................................................86 


• Professional bodies..............................................................................86 

• Existing qualifications...........................................................................87 

NOS and N/SVQ opportunities and constraints..................................................93 

• Opportunities .......................................................................................93 

• Constraints...........................................................................................96 

Glossary.............................................................................................................98 

77

INTRODUCTION 

BACKGROUND 

This report was commissioned by the Standards Setting body (SSB) 

for Explosives, Munitions & Search Occupations (EMSO) at the 

request of the Head of Profession (HoP) for Ordnance, Munitions & 

Explosives (OME 1 ) Safety on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) 

civilians. The HoP, in his role as Director, Defence Ordnance Safety 

Group (DOSG) is also required to provide assurance of competence 

of all MoD OME staff (civilian and military) to the functional board, 

the Defence Ordnance Safety Board (DOSB). DOSB’s purpose is to 

provide top level direction of ordnance, munition and explosives 

safety policy and to ensure the continual effectiveness of the MOD 

OME Safety Management System. The scope of its responsibilities 

covers safety policy, standards, and the safety and assurance of 

ESA. Overall system/platform safety is covered by the appropriate 

Functional Safety Board for that domain. 

In particular, the issues facing the MoD are: 

 

 

 

 

 

a need to assure competence as one means of avoiding 

accidents by providing an objective method of assessment of 

training inputs; 

recruitment difficulties: ESA is a shrinking specialism within the 

MoD and a high level of commitment is required of applicants 

who will need to fulfil their training programme; 

a need to put in place objective criteria by which contracts placed 

with commercial companies can be assessed and managed; 

a desire to provide formal accreditation for individuals’ 

competence 

the imperative of enhancing and maintaining safety standards. 

In order to carry out further development work that could provide 

accreditation through National Occupational Standards (NOSs), the 

research needs to cover the full span of industries where explosives 

work is carried out. Where it has been possible to do so, the 

Standard Industrial Classification Code (SIC) classification system 

has been used to identify numbers of people employed. However, 

this system is not fully comprehensive and omits certain activities 

1 Also known in the commercial environment and referred to in this report as Explosive Substances and Articles (ESA) 

78

such as munitions testing and evaluation. The relevant industries 

that have been identified by SIC are: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

coal mine (deep or drift) 

gas extraction (natural gas) 

oil extraction service activities 

quarrying 

explosives manufacture/firework manufacture 

explosives wholesalers 

demolition contracting/blasting & associated rock removal 

mine sinking 

fireworks (commissioning agent) 

motion picture production on film or videotape 

television programme production 

live theatre presentation. 

OBJECTIVES 

This report aims to support the HoP for OME safety in: 

 

 

 

 

providing recognized competence standards for the benefit of the 

UK workforce and MoD civilian and military personnel; 

ensuring that professional training and development is available, 

and wherever possible, provides individuals with recognized 

qualifications; 

providing a functional competence framework for the UK MoD 

OME community; 

setting appropriate standards of performance for all levels of 

competence. 

As the first step in the process to develop standards and 

qualifications, this report aims to scope the industries concerned in 

terms of: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the numbers employed in each industry as a whole 

the numbers of people employed in ESA occupations 

identification of the relevant roles 

characterization of the significance of the industries concerned 

issue, trends and factors affecting education, training, skills and 

qualifications of those involved in explosives handling work 

the existing education and training arrangements in each 

industry 

79

the benefits and constraints offered by the introduction of 

N/SVQs. 

In terms of research and development activities within the industries 

concerned, this study relates only to the receipt and safe handling of 

ESA materials, natures, assemblies and components prior to, and 

during, R&D, and aspects of the planning and conduct of the same. 

It does not relate to “blue skies” research. 

In terms of military munitions-related activities, the study relates to 

the storage, transportation, distribution and maintenance of ESA, but 

does not attempt to scope the users of such items. 

HAZARD CLASSES 

The report covers all types of military ordnance and munitions, all 

categories of explosives as classified by the United Nations (UN), 

and non-lethal civilian applications of explosives. For each 

substance or article in each category, classification is required from 

HSE for civil explosives, and from the ESTC for military explosives of 

the Defence Ordnance Safety Group. A brief summarized version of 

the UN international System of Classification Hazard Divisions is 

listed below. 

1.1 A mass explosion hazard ie hazards of blast, high velocity 

projections and other projections of relatively low velocity resulting in 

severe structural damage. 

1.2 Projection hazards but not a mass explosion hazard, resulting in 

items burning and exploding progressively, and fragments, 

firebrands and unexploded items may be projected. Blast effects are 

limited to the immediate vicinity. 

1.3 A fire hazard and either a minor blast hazard or a minor 

projection hazard or both, but not a mass explosion hazard. Some 

items may produce a mass fire hazard and others may burn 

sporadically. Firebrands and burning containers may be projected. 

1.4 No significant hazards presented but rather, primarily a moderate 

fire hazard. The effects are confined to the package. 

1.5 Very insensitive substances for which there is very little 

probability of initiation or of transition from burning to detonation 

under normal conditions of transport. 

1.6 Extremely insensitive articles that do not have a mass explosion 

hazard, demonstrating a negligible probability of accidental initiation 

or propagation. The risk is limited to the explosion of a single article. 

80

STAKEHOLDERS 

This study has been carried out by the SSB for EMSO in conjunction 

with the DOSG and other key stakeholders including governmental 

and non-governmental organizations and commercial companies. 

Cranfield University at the Royal Military College of Science (RMCS) 

Shrivenham has recently been successful in winning European 

funding through a Leonardo da Vinci project. This project aims to 

develop European-wide standards of competence for the munitions 

community. Cranfield University at RMCS therefore forms a major 

stakeholder in this project, and information has been exchanged 

between the two projects for the benefit of the ESA community as a 

whole. 

In addition to the Leonardo da Vinci project described above, the 

current level of international interest in establishing standards of 

competence in munition occupation matters is indicated by the 

standards setting initiative for de-mining activities being led by the 

European Committee for Standardization (CEN). 

The Confederation of British Industry Explosives Industry Group (CBI 

EIG) has been consulted and endorses this work. 

Consultation with IExpE and the BPA to be written. 

STRUCTURE, ISSUES AND TRENDS AFFECTING THE SECTOR 

Explosives accidents have claimed the lives of more than a thousand 

people around the world since the turn of the Millennium. Many of 

the accidents have been caused not by failure of design, but by 

human failure. Much of this can be attributed to the lack of 

competencies, skills and adequate training of the people concerned. 

These accidents have happened in many areas: the explosion of an 

ammunition dump; an explosive incident aboard a Russian 

submarine; misuses of fireworks; and an explosion in France 

involving ammonium nitrate in an industrial facility. These accidents, 

therefore, have significant consequences in terms of human tragedy, 

strategic defence capability, economic and political disruption. 

Effective explosives safety depends upon people making the right 

decisions at the right time – ie performing their jobs competently. 

81

Changes in legislation affects all sub-sectors of the industry, and 

specific aspect of these are discussed by sub-sector as appropriate 

below. However, the Manufacture and Storage of Explosive 

Regulations (MSER) will apply to all sub-sectors. This includes the 

public sector and military which, although exempt from such 

legislation, has undertaken to ensure that its own procedures will be 

no less demanding. 

Industries using explosives are strictly regulated and all must comply 

with the following legislative requirements: 

licence to acquire explosives (ie same day use) (available from the Police) 

licence to acquire and store explosives on site (available from the Police) 

licence to acquire, store and keep explosives (requiring an appointed 

“competent person”) 

for explosives stored under item 3, a licence is also needed from the Trading 

Standards and Fire Authority which carries out annual inspections 

Placing on the Market and Supervision of Transfer of explosive Regulations 

(POMSTER) – a 3-year certificate granted by the Health and Safety 

Executive (HSE) specifying the types of explosives that may be received 

from suppliers 

1991 Explosives Regulations. 

Open-cast mines and quarries require a licence from the HSE to 

cover ammonium nitrate and fuel oils (ANFO) use. In addition, there 

have been further specific controls introduced as a result of the 

events on 9 September 2001 relating to the quantities of ammonium 

nitrates (ie explosive components) stored in warehouses and docks 

which now require a Detonation Resistance Test Certificate. 

THE SUB-SECTORS 

MOD 

The MoD has an exemplary record in explosives safety. It is exempt 

from the main civil explosives Acts of 1875 and 1923, but has put in 

place a régime which is at least as rigorous – and for some aspects 

such as building construction, is more rigorous - than the civil 

legislation. 

Twenty years ago, explosives ordnance for the UK armed forces was 

developed in MoD research laboratories, and the explosives were 

synthesized and manufactured in MoD production facilities. 

82

Nowadays, manufacturing and production are firmly in the private 

sector and more recently, much of the explosives and ordnance 

research community has made a similar transition. Nuclear weapons 

are produced in privatized facilities. There is limited movement of 

staff between these different organizations and it is difficult for the 

MoD to recruit or develop explosives specialists with broad 

experience. 

The general contraction of the explosives business in the UK has 

had a major impact on the numbers of skilled specialists. In addition, 

many of the UK specialists were recruited during a growth period in 

defence science and technology in the 1970s and are now 

approaching retirement. A lack of recruitment in the late 1970s and 

1980s has left a demographic trough and consequently, there are 

insufficient skilled explosives specialists to replace those who will be 

leaving government service in the next few years. In addition, in the 

last decade, there has been a worldwide reduction in theoretical and 

university-based research on explosives which provided another 

source of recruits. 

Apart from the armed forces, the two main business areas of the 

MoD concerned with ESA are: 

 

 

Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) which includes the DOSG; 

Defence Logistics Organization (DLO) which includes the 

Munitions Business Area comprising the Munitions Corporate 

Business Unit (MCBU) (the policy setting lead), Integrated 

Project Teams (IPTs) and the Defence Storage & Distribution 

Agency (DSDA) of which the Director Explosive Operations is a 

key stakeholder. 

DEFENCE PROCUREMENT AGENCY (DPA) 

The Defence Procurement Agency’s (DPA’s) primary role is to: 

 

 

 

 

generate modern equipment for battle-winning forces 

provide professional services throughout MoD 

encourage defence technology and science to sustain key skills 

in the supply chain 

understand and work with key suppliers to improve performance. 

The DPA’s primary task is to acquire new equipment for the armed 

forces, balancing customers’ requirements and the capabilities 

available from suppliers. This requires a clear understanding of what 

customers (ie the armed forces) want, and a realistic appreciation of 

the supplier base. Almost all projects have an international 

dimension, whether through formal co-operation, direct procurement, 

83

supply chain aspects, shared research and technology or the 

harmonization of requirements. The DPA works with partners in 

other governments, bilaterally and through a variety of international 

fora. Objectives include the adoption of best acquisition practice, 

opening defence markets and fostering key relationships through 

initiatives such as the European Letter of Intent Framework 

Agreement and the US/UK Declaration of Principles. 

Projects are managed through Integrated Project Teams (IPTs) (see 

the MoD section on Roles for descriptions of these teams’ 

composition and responsibilities). IPTs’ work involves identifying the 

best value for money to meet the requirement, delivering solutions 

on a through-life basis, negotiating contracts and ensuring an MoD 

contribution to their successful execution. IPTs’ projects may have a 

lifespan of decades, or may be smaller, more rapidly fielded items 

that can make a critical difference to the warfighter in a short time. 

Some 700 projects may be under way at any one time. Risk 

management is critical to the improvement of project management. 

New processes, tools, technology and maturity models are in use to 

measure risk and through life management approaches to achieve 

optimum value for money. 

Effective exploitation of research and technology is essential to the 

delivery of advanced equipment. The DPA therefore collaborates 

with the defence research community and others to ensure that the 

MoD’s research programme focuses on the early identification, 

maturation and deployment of technology. As health and safety is 

central to the work of the DPA, it is seeking a more coherent 

approach to acquisition safety management across the DPA to 

ensure that cost effective safety arrangements are in place. 

The DPA’s performance depends upon suppliers delivering on their 

contracted undertakings. The DPA is developing a better 

understanding of the abilities, capacity and prospects of key 

suppliers to identify in advance strategic issues that may impact on 

projects and which complements the professional commercial 

services that the DPA also provides to the MoD at large. 

DEFENCE ORDNANCE SAFETY GROUP (DOSG) 

Formed in 2000 to create a pan-MoD focus for policy, strategy, policy 

implementation, performance measurement and support relating to 

explosive and ordnance safety, DOSG is a support group within the 

DPA. DOSG has a core group of scientists, engineers, 

administrators and military officers who are specialists in all aspects 

of ordnance and munitions safety. 

84

DOSG provides: 

 

 

 

 

 

impartial appraisal of the safety, and advice on the suitability and 

serviceability for service in UK armed forces of weapons and 

those parts of weapon systems and stores in which explosives 

are used; 

assessments for qualification of explosive compositions for 

military use; 

advice on matters affecting the safe use of weapons and other 

hazardous stores during military training; 

the MoD focal point for NATO and international standardization, 

for testing, assessment and acceptance criteria relating to the 

above matters, and their safe use in training and on ranges 

assurance to the Secretary of State that the management of 

safety for MoD OME is effective. 

The Director of the DOSG has a number of personally delegated 

roles from the 2 nd Permanent Under Secretary of State of the MoD 

including: 

 

 

 

Chief Inspector of Explosives (MoD) 

Competent Authority for Major Accident Control Regulations 

(MoD) 

Chairmanship of the: 

− Explosives Storage and Transport Committee 

− Defence Land Ranges Safety Committee 

− Military Laser Safety Committee 

− Head of Profession for OME Safety. 

DOSG also hosts the DPA Acquisition, Environment and Safety 

Office (AESO) to provide a corporate focus on the management of 

safety and environmental issues within the DPA. 

DOSG comprises a mixture of military and civilian personnel and 

draws on wide experience from both environments. Many DOSG 

personnel are recognized as national and international experts in the 

fields of ordnance and explosives. These experts can offer advice to 

IPTs on Safety and Suitability for Service (S3) covering: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

design safety assessment 

safety, suitability and survivability trials 

NATO interoperability 

storage and transport 

whole life assessment 

service life extension and surveillance programmes. 

85

Advice can cover a considerable range of weapons as diverse as 

anti submarine weapons, heavy armour direct tank fire, mortars, 

pyrotechnics, nuclear missiles and warheads and submarine 

launched weapons. 

DOSG’s specialist capabilities involve: 

 

 

 

 

 

qualification, characterization and classification of energetic 

materials 

ordnance risk assessments 

electrical safety assessments 

munitions through life assessments 

statistics and modelling. 

As the centre of excellence, DOSG’s significance lies in managing 

and implementing the regulatory régime within the MoD. As a centre 

of expertise, it provides advice on the design, manufacture, and use 

of weapons systems. A key issue for DOSG is the need to improve 

understanding of munitions and therefore, the process and 

technology underlying its design in order to advise on safety 

implications to ensure current and future safe and cost-effective use 

of equipment in service. 

Changes in relevant legislation greatly affect the work of DOSG 

which therefore engages with the developers of such legislation – for 

example, legislation relating to the storage and safe transport of 

explosives - in order to influence its design so that the MoD can 

conform. However, due to compatibility issues in operational arenas, 

this is not always possible. 

DEFENCE LOGISTICS ORGANIZATION (DLO) 

An agency of the MoD, the DLO’s role is to decide, provide for and 

deliver effective and integrated logistic support and information 

services to the front line and across the MoD at best value. 

Logistic capability is fundamental to generating and maintaining 

fighting power, and the changing nature of operations reinforces the 

need for robust and sustainable logistic solutions, networked for the 

timely delivery of rapid effect to the battle space and to support 

military capability in peace as well as during conflict. 

Key considerations for the DLO are: 

 

sustaining the front line at the required operational tempo while 

reducing costs and delivering greater value 

86

the need to generate greater efficiencies in support areas to fund 

investment that contributes to more effective and capable front 

line forces 

reducing whole-life costs and delivering optimized and integrated 

whole-life support 

achieving the best balance between performing activities inhouse 

and transferring to industry those functions that they are 

better able to carry out 

ensuring equipment availability, reliability and safety within a 

support chain that is flexible and meets new and changing 

operational contexts 

collaborating with others internally and with industry suppliers to 

improve performance and reduce costs. 

The DLO recognizes its need to become an “intelligent decider” – an 

organization that manages performance effectively across a 

coherent range of service delivery arrangements that deliver 

operational benefits. This requires the DLO to optimize industrial 

capacity to shape relationships and deliver improved availability, 

capability and sustainability as well as harnessing the benefits of 

technological developments to improve the speed and quality of 

communications at lower costs. It is anticipated that this shift from 

the traditional model to that of intelligent decider will need to be 

achieved through contractual arrangements that better incentivize 

industry’s performance. This approach to logistic support will be 

embedded through existing processes and mechanisms and will be 

applied to current legacy arrangements. In this way, it is intended 

that support arrangements will be considered early within the 

acquisition cycle. 

87

MUNITIONS BUSINESS AREA (MBA) 

This comprises the Munitions Corporate Business Unit as the policy 

and co-ordinating led, with membership of the three DLO support 

pillars for sea, land and air: Ships Missile Systems IPT (SMS IPT), 

Torpedoes IPT, Guided Weapons Support Systems IPT (GWSS 

IPT), Defence General Munitions IPT (DGM IPT), Air Launched 

Munitions IPT (ALM IPT), and the Defence Storage and Distribution 

Agency (DSDA) who are responsible for the storage, processing and 

distribution of munitions materiel. The Munitions Management Board 

(MMB) is the executive body for the MBA. 

The MCBU and the DGM IPT together form the Defence Munitions 

Group (DMG) which has a number of specific tasks to complete in 

support of its purpose including: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

policy and guidance to the DLO Munitions Business Area 

a focus for munitions operational capability 

managing the Defence General Munitions IPT (DGM IPT) 

operational munition stockpile, ensuring that the levels are 

maintained at those specified 

undertaking the supply of DGM natures for programmed activity 

in accordance with agreed customer service agreements 

providing the DLO with a munitions focal point in support of 

operations 

acting as the delegated lead within DLO for explosives safety 

implementing the recommendations of recent reviews including 

− investigating the potential for further industry 

involvement in the management and through-life support 

of munitions 

− rationalizing the munitions stockpile 

− developing and implementing a revised policy for “lifing” 

munitions 

managing the demilitarisation aspects of the DLO’s contract with 

QinetiQ. 

Through the Munitions Management Board, the MCBU manages 

munitions safety policy and rationalization and convergence issues 

across the DPA and the DLO. 

One key OME activity for which the MCBU has responsibility (via the 

Inspector of explosives (DLO) post) is licensing (on behalf of the 

Chief Inspector of Explosives (CIE) (MoD) the DLO’s UK-wide 

explosives facilities (some 1077 individual licences in total). This 

88

also involves safeguarding the sites (ie ensuring that it is free from 

encroachments that would compromise explosives licences). The 

Inspector of Explosives (DLO) also commissions from DOSG 

Quantitative Risk Assessments and Technical Assessments to 

support the licences; represents the DLO on the Environmental 

Safety Management Steering Group; and ensures that the 

implications for the DLO of all relevant safety legislation is 

addressed. 

Other ESA-related functions for which the DMG is responsible 

include rationalizing information databases on the storage and issue 

of munitions; maintaining databases on those munitions that are 

banned or constrained for use; and maintaining the Tri-service 

database on incidents and defects. Supporting these activities are 

those relating to identifying and spreading best practice in ESA work. 

Historically, munitions work in the MoD was a fragmented area, and 

the creation of the DLO in 1999 brought together each separate 

Service’s different logistics teams. As the horizontal integrater, the 

MCBU provides further cross-fertilization between what were largely 

autonomous groups and brings together the different DLO agencies 

to bring coherence and convergence in their activities. 

The munitions life cycle may be described by the acronym CADMID, 

standing for: 

Concept Assessment Demonstration Manufacture In-service 

Disposal. 

As the specifier of requirements, the Director Equipment Capability 

(DEC) is concerned with the Concept stage. As the procurement 

body, the DPA’s area of interest is mainly from Assessment to 

Manufacture, whilst the DLO’s primary area of involvement is from 

Manufacture through to Disposal although it retains a significant 

interest in cost issues prior to this. 

Each Integrated Project Team (IPT) “owns” all in service munitions, 

and is responsible for the day to day management of stockpiles 

(inventory management, surveillance, proofing, disposal or “relifing”), 

and for the intrinsic safety of munitions. However, one of the 

key issues for the MBA as a whole is to control and reduce where 

possible the “whole life” costs of munitions ie from the point of 

concept through to disposal. 

The current system of “lifing” munitions is considered somewhat 

broad brush in that the lifespan of muntions is determined regardless 

of the environments in which it is to be used. Factors such as 

vibration, shock, heat, humidity, and other climatic conditions can 

89

vastly affect the stability - and therefore, the life and intrinsic safety – 

of a munition. When an unused munition reaches the end of its life, 

it is recalled for disposal from wherever its location is around the 

world. Potentially massive savings could therefore be made if the 

effective and safe life of the munition were determined more 

accurately according to more specific environmental data as 

described above. The MCBU is responsible for promoting methods 

for the collection of empirical data that will address the issue of 

whole life assessment. The increased involvement of manufacturers 

in this process is seen as a key and element in increasing efficiency 

and providing economic improvements. 

A key factor affecting the ESA community’s ability to deliver is the 

lack of suitably experienced civilian recruits and the lack of 

appropriate training provision for civilian personnel. A combination of 

an ageing workforce, budget cuts and courses dropped and a lack of 

a co-ordinated direction has resulted in insufficient numbers of job 

applicants of an appropriate quality and skills fade on the part of 

those already employed. Whilst military personnel have access to 

courses and qualifications delivered by Cranfield University at 

RMCS, there is very little off the job provision for civilians other than 

a 2-day awareness course and an 8-day intermediate course. 

DEFENCE STORAGE & DISTRIBUTION AGENCY (DSDA) 

DSDA’s mission is to provide an effective and efficient materiel 

distribution, processing and storage service within the supply chain 

to sustain the fighting power of UK armed forces worldwide. The 

Explosives Operations Directorate works to fulfil this aim within its 

remit of dealing with all manner of explosives – whether complex 

weapons systems such as guided missiles or conventional munitions 

such as bomb and ammunition. DSDA comprises a Head Office and 

13 major installations across the UK as well as other smaller units. 

Abroad, it has installations in Germany, and provides advice and 

support to customers in Gibraltar, Saudi Arabia and trials sites in the 

Bahamas. In total, it stores 0.3244 million cubic metres of 

explosives. 

DSDA fulfils several different roles in working to serve its customers 

– mainly IPTs - which are best summarized below. 

1 For the majority of complex weapons systems, IPTs task DSDA to store, 

transport and maintain ESA. 

2 For complex weapons systems currently coming into service, OME 

manufacturers sub-contract the arrangements for DSDA to Assemble, 

Integrate and Test (AI&T) the weapons and configure the explosive 

90

element using MoD facilities. This arrangement has yielded substantial 

cost savings. 

3 For conventional munitions, the manufacturer delivers to DSDA under the 

direction of the IPT. DSDA then stores, transports and maintains the 

OME. 

DSDA’s services are set out in Customer Supplier Agreements 

(CSAs) which specify the level of service in terms of quality, cost and 

performance standards to be met. 

To ensure the safe custody of ESA, a fundamental service delivered 

by DSDA is the safe storage, handling, transport and preventive 

maintenance programme. The lifespan of a munition is identified 

when it comes into service and therefore, when it must be expended 

or disposed of or inspected to ensure its continuing stability and 

therefore, safety. DSDA carries out surveillance checks and proofing 

on ESA as directed by the appropriate IPT Duty of Care Holder. In 

the case of some complex weapons, the munitions are subjected to 

refurbishment routines, replacing and carrying out functions tests of 

components, and performing an overall electrical intrusive test on the 

warheaded munitions. Torpedoes are reconfigured to exercise 

rounds by removing the warhead and fitting an instrumented head. 

After recovery, these torpedoes undergo deep refurbishment 

routines for re-conversion to war-shot torpedoes. Since torpedoes 

are designed for single use, this represents a significant engineering 

task in terms of time and cost, involving around 500 separate 

components. 

DSDA suffers from the same issues that affect other ESA-related 

parts of the MoD namely, the loss of technical ESA skills caused by 

Departmental reorganizations and cutbacks made which erode the 

strategic focus that would allow appropriate levels of future support. 

The ageing workforce exacerbates concerns about skills loss and 

skills fade. Current skills training relies to a large extent on on-thejob 

training which risks teaching poor safety practice from one 

generation to another. In addition, since ESA expertise has been 

lost, so too has the depth of knowledge and appreciation of 

explosives risk been lost. It is felt that further work needs to be done 

to teach ESA personnel about the rationale of ESA procedures and 

the risks and potential consequences of not following them. 

A clear understanding of the nature of the Explosives Licence is 

crucial for roles in warehouse management and generic training 

courses are seen as lacking the necessary depth. Training is carried 

out to in-house standards with no national or Departmental 

standards. This, linked to insular thinking has, over the years, 

compounded a general skills fade and ESA awareness. There is 

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also a lack of career structure to support and nurture future 

managers. 

The concerns raised about the lack of depth of explosives risk 

appreciation applies also to DSDA’s customers – the IPTs, thus 

affecting DSDA’s ability to store, process and deliver ESA safely. It 

is felt that the significance of the surveillance and maintenance 

systems, the quality of information and the need for complete 

compliance with safety procedures are not fully appreciated by IPTs 

who may themselves be target customers of ESA training in order to 

understand fully the degree and nature of their accountability as the 

Duty of Care holders. 

92

ROYAL NAVY 

HMS Collingwood is the Royal Navy’s lead school for ESA training in 

the Fleet. A satellite school at HMS Raleigh caters for explosive 

safety on board submarines. Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) is 

taught at the tri-service Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal 

School (DEODS). 

Operational availability of the Fleet is the primary consideration. An 

accident or incident involving explosives would clearly affect this 

availability. Consequently, the safety requirements of ships’ 

magazines and explosives form one of the Royal Navy’s “Key 

Hazards”, and are rigidly policed both ashore and afloat. 

In order to maintain the Fleet’s operational capability, there is a 

strong need for extensive training with respect to legislation and its 

implications, particularly storage and transportation of explosives are 

concerned. At present, the Fleet is governed by Book of Reference 

(BR) 862 naval Explosive Regulations, whilst explosive safety ashore 

is regulated by the Joint Service Publication (JSP) 482. The training 

schools focus on teaching to these regulations, offering practical, 

hands-on training where necessary. The imminent introduction of 

MSER legislation may require amendments to these references with 

the associated re-training and/or re-briefing taking place as required. 

Furthermore, recommendations made by the International 

Commission for Non Ionizing Radiation Protection Board (ICNIRPB) 

to the European parliament, which – if adopted – may also impact on 

the Royal Navy. ICNRPB reports on personnel exposure limits of 

NIR. Induced electric currents or the “antenna effect” produced by 

ships’ systems can pose both a personnel hazard and explosive risk 

to certain specified susceptible weapons. Should European 

legislation increase the minimum safe distance for personnel and 

similar recommendations follow for Electro Explosive Devices 

(EEDs) to new limits higher than those currently recommended by 

UK national authorities, then operational capability may be affected 

by having to inhibit transmissions whilst explosives movements take 

place. 

ARMY 

Effective delivery of ESA functions enables the Army’s operational 

and strategic capability by managing the supply chain. The Army is 

deployed worldwide in operational “hotspots” and is also involved in 

defence diplomacy, supporting local governments at strategic and 

political level. ESA-related operations conducted in support of 

foreign governments’ requests might range from peace-keeping 

93

duties to the destruction of unstable stockpiles of weapons, or 

seconding technical specialists to provide technical, supply or safety 

advice on ammunition. 

To understand the fundamental importance of ESA functions, the 

Army’s distribution chain first needs to be understood. Active 

operational areas are described as either first, second or third line. 

Supplies of all natures including OME arrive at the Air (or Sea) Port 

of Disembarkation (A/SPOD). From the A/SPOD, supplies are 

moved up to the second line Divisional Supply Area (DSA) to be held 

till called off for use by the first line – ie the front line of the battlefield. 

Alternatively, depending upon the urgency with which it is needed, 

ammunition may be delivered from the third line direct to the first line. 

A similar permanent structure exists in peacetime which is used for 

training exercises. Much of the routine peacetime transportation of 

ammunition from the manufacturer to the third line supply depots is 

now largely civilianised. For active operations, Transport and 

Supply Regiments are responsible for moving ammunition to the first 

line. 

Within the Field Army, every Regiment is required to have a 

specialist Ammunition Storeman in post, and every sub-unit (ie up to 

and including a company/squadron) is required to have in post an 

Authorized Representative. This role’s responsibilities relating to the 

storage and movement of ammunition are described in more detail 

under the Roles section. 

Control of the Army’s specialist ammunition resource is vested in the 

Principal Ammunition Technical Officer Branch (PATO) whose ESA 

role is to ensure the delivery of explosives safety, operational 

ammunition planning and technical expertise. The operational 

branch of PATO concerned with ESA functions is Ammunition 

Operations and Plans (Ammo Ops & Plans). Broadly, the branch’s 

main ESA responsibilities include operational ammunition planning 

and subsequent management in peace and war; accountability for 

and delivery of the Army’s explosives and ammunition inspection 

programme; providing technical advice and policy for peace and 

operational ammunition supply management, sustainability explosive 

safety and site licensing; and managing the manning of specialist 

personnel in operational, exercise and training commitments in 

support of the MoD, FCO, Home Office and Security Service. 

The Army shares the similar pressures posed by changes in 

legislation such as that described above (see Royal Navy). 

ROYAL AIR FORCE 

94

As for the other armed forces, the significance of ESA work is to 

enable strategic and operational capability through the rapid delivery 

of weapon systems. This is an essential component of modern 

warfare without which air superiority would not be gained to give safe 

skies for land and fleet operations. 

Again, as for the other armed forces, the RAF has been subject to 

stringent defence budgets but more personnel are deployed in 

operational areas (eg the Gulf, the Falklands) now than during the 

Cold War. Like the other armed service, the RAF is shrinking as 

more non-operational functions are privatised. 

Due to the inherent hazards of working with explosives, the RAF 

armaments sector is highly trained and regulated. The same 

requirements for training in legislation apply as those for the Royal 

Navy, and indeed, the same potential difficulties arising from the 

ICIRPB apply as RAF stations’ radar and other transmitters present 

susceptibility risks. 

The Inspector Explosives (RAF) holds responsibility for the safety of 

operational explosive systems (buildings, licensing, storage, 

maintenance of weapons and related components and ancillaries 

etc). Armament expertise is also required in the Air Launch 

Munitions and other relevant Integrated Project Teams (IPT) (see the 

Roles section for a description of the remit of an IPT), and through 

the Armaments structure down to unit level (ie locally) where aircraft 

maintenance is carried out. Each armourer is regularly trained, 

assessed and authorized to meet the RAF’s stringent safety 

requirements. This represents a very heavy training investment for 

loading teams which comprise the individual carrying out the 

loading/maintenance, the supervisor, an independent inspector and 

a further external inspector. In terms of ESA-related systems and 

components, this covers the loading and maintenance of weapons, 

launchers, sets and carriers with explosive ejector release units. 

As technology advances, there is a greater need to foster IT skills for 

technicians needing to access and use databases. Increasingly, 

manufacturers and contractors are carrying out maintenance work 

and this has reduced the need for personnel to acquire a deep 

knowledge of the functioning of weapons within their remit. 

DEFENCE RESEARCH 

Defence research is a crucial back-up to the UK’s strategic weapons 

and defence systems. Within this broad area relevant to this report 

are functions involving explosives, namely: 

 

forensic casework 

95

explosives counter terrorism 

assessment of safety of munitions 

advice on military and terrorist threats 

disposal of explosive ordnance (planned and improvised) 

developing tools and technologies 

assessment of tools and technologies used by others 

characterization of energetic materials. 

There are a number of organizations within the defence research 

community whose responsibilities are broadly as follows: 

Internal security 

Strategic systems 

Generic OME technology, 

research 

Education & some research 

DSTL 

DSTL, AWE 

Commercial private suppliers, 

QinetiQ, universities 

Cranfield and Cambridge 

The MoD is currently restructuring its business in new technologies 

and it is encouraging defence research establishments to bid to 

become national capability centres (ie centres of excellence) in a 

particular area or areas of specialization. 

The defence research market is competitive, but due to shortages of 

funding, collaboration between the public, private and quasi-private 

sectors is essential. This collaborative approach has been fostered 

by MoD procurement policy which – by encouraging competition - 

also encourages consortia bids. However, IPR issues can, and often 

do hinder such collaborative working. 

As in the defence manufacturing sector, closures and reductions in 

operations in primary companies have led to smaller research 

organizations delivering work that would in bygone days have been 

carried out in-house by the larger firms. 

The defence research/manufacturing sector is becoming a global 

marketplace and there is a trend toward the UK buying ammunition 

made abroad. In these circumstances, it is difficult for the UK 

acquisition community to apply UK design and quality standards. 

This trend is expected to continue. It is claimed that some is of 

inconsistent quality, and therefore, both less capable and less safe to 

use. The question therefore arises: does the UK – as a customer – 

understand what it is buying and what are the implications of this? 

96

Indeed, the procurement imperative to buy cheapest risks more 

contracts being placed abroad which in turn risks losing UK 

capability. 

Changes in regulation affect the sector, particularly so where 

previously, establishments held Crown immunity, but which lost this 

on changing to GOCO status. For example, the Atomic Weapons 

Establishment (AWE) is subject to regulation by the Nuclear 

Installations Inspectorate of the HSE, the Explosives Inspectorate of 

the HSE and the Environment Agency – all of which may challenge 

production methods. In future, the Nuclear Weapons Regulator of 

the MoD be able to challenge the design of nuclear weapons, thus 

adding a further layer to the regulatory requirement. 

The Health and Safety (HSE) has altered its approach to the 

inspection of premises containing hazardous materials. Whereas 

previously, HSE inspectors would carry out an inspection and report 

their findings, the current emphasis is to expect organizations to 

demonstrate their local explosives safety arrangements by the 

production of a safety case which embraces relevant legislation; the 

HSE then monitors compliance with the safety case. Recent 

legislation (the Control of Major Accidents and Hazards 1998 and the 

Environmental Act) has also tightened up requirements. HSE’s 

approach and legislation have increased the resources and 

overheads needed by companies to meet the requirements. 

Whether MoD regulations or HSE legislation applies can be complex 

depending upon the nature of the site’s licence, the work being 

carried out and the customer for whom the work is carried out. 

However, staff still need to ensure that they identify the correct 

requirements and comply with them at all times. 

Imminent changes in legislation will affect the defence research subsectors, 

namely, the EU Waste Incineration Directive which in future 

will encompass explosive ordnance disposal. Existing facilities will 

need to comply by 2006 and new facilities must comply immediately. 

The UK’s Food and Environment Protection Act will also impact on 

research work through the requirement to register items put in the 

sea. This will not greatly affect organizations where the potential 

impact for pollution is minimal, but is another piece of legislation that 

will require ESA producers/users to ensure that staff are adequately 

trained to understand it. 

Career progression is comparatively limited in defence research and 

there are no defined career routes. The roles are specialized, and 

explosives handling and analysis are rare skills for which specialized 

training is needed but for which little is available. This applies at all 

levels from very junior laboratory technicians to PhD-qualified 

97

esearchers who are all trained on-the-job. Given the long term 

nature of defence activities, there is a strong case for developing and 

nurturing the skills and competencies that will be required over the 

next 20 years within the Department. 

Since the split of the Defence Research Evaluation Agency (DERA) 

in April 2002, DSTL has taken responsibility for three broad areas of 

research: the creation of systems that include assessment of 

performance, technical risks and effectiveness of the systems. This 

also involves advice on the effective use of systems and achieving 

best value in acquiring the systems; expertise in defence-specific 

technologies; and the creation of deep expertise in core science that 

is not readily available commercially. 

QinetiQ – originally part of DERA, and now part-privatized – is 

responsible for a broad range of activities namely: 

 

 

 

 

 

research and development of explosives and explosive devices 

testing, evaluation and proofing of explosives and munitions 

safety and suitability for service assessment of munitions 

limited manufacturing of specialist pyrotechnic and fuse devices 

disposal of munitions. 

As the MoD’s competitive policy has led to the placing of more R&D 

contracts with a wider range of research organizations, it has proved 

hard to sustain the required competency levels in the public sector 

as retention of R&D scientists becomes more difficult. This has led 

to concerns about the future of blue skies research into such areas 

as future propulsion systems. Further, the imperative now is to seek 

ways of extending the life of munitions and warheads (up to 20 – 30 

years, in some cases), thus achieving savings on design, R&D, and 

manufacturing processes as well as reductions in risks through 

transportation and dismantling purposes. However, skills and 

expertise which are not maintained will erode. Through extending 

the life of munitions, there will be an increased requirement for those 

involved in storage, deployment, surveillance and re-engineering or 

retirement, but an erosion of skills and capability in the early stages 

of feasibility, design, development and safety testing. This erosion of 

capability is of great concern in the defence research sector whose 

succession planning requirements de facto are of a long-term nature. 

Similarly, whilst seeking to maximize specialist expertise by creating 

centres of excellence in particular systems, this approach also risks 

further erosion of capability in other areas. 

Reductions of indigenous development and manufacturing of 

explosives materials has led to some large scale materials 

qualification capabilities to erode through lack of use and provision of 

98

funding for maintenance; likewise, expertise I the use of these 

facilities and interpretation of the results obtained has also declined. 

On the other hand, testing and evaluation is seen as more secure 

due to the need to maintain strategic capability by assuring 

operational equipment through the testing programme. QinetiQ has 

won a long-term MoD contract to carry out live test checks on all 

military weapons and munitions – both complete and sub-assemblies 

of all systems and ammunition using explosives. The nature of the 

tests depends upon the conditions in which they are expected to be 

used, and might involve being dropped, cooked off, subjected to 

sympathetic detonation, shock or to changes in climate etc. Those 

items that are successfully tested are then certified as safe for use 

within the given conditions. 

The high-valued testing contract includes ESA-related equipment as 

varied as ship systems, submarines, sonobuoys, aircraft ejector 

seats, parachute systems, weapons systems, and explosive reactive 

armoured tanks. QinetiQ also delivers capability for training on large 

items of ordnance (ie 500Kg) on behalf of UK Services Explosive 

Ordnance Disposal (eg DEODS). 

The sector’s main significance lies in ensuring the UK’s current 

strategic defence capability – both nuclear and conventional. In 

addition, DSTL carries out research into new explosives which are 

developed and tested by QinetiQ. The decisions as to whether or 

not to manufacture – thereby influencing performance capability – 

adds further strategic value. 

DEFENCE MANUFACTURING 

Historically, the munitions manufacturing industry has been 

dominated by a few major defence contractor companies. Over 

recent decades, government investment in defence spending has 

declined, and together with rising costs, this has led to the defence 

contractors closing whole departments that were involved in support, 

but non-core activities (eg the Precision Products Group (PPG) in 

MBDA). This has enabled smaller companies in the defence 

industry to increase their involvement from, say, component and 

minor sub-assembly design and manufacture to more major 

assembly design and manufacture under contract to the prime 

contractors as well as commercial companies. In addition due to 

increasing commercial pressures, the smaller companies now 

typically outsource some functions that were previously carried out 

in-house (such as inert prototype and inert production hardware 

manufacture and other small scale or non-core business activities). 

As opportunities allow, companies are designing and manufacturing 

99

complete – rather than partial – sub-assemblies the sales value of 

which can represent an increase of several hundred percent. 

Due to the history of closures within the industry, the often secret 

nature of the work, and competing products, collaboration is neither 

universal nor comprehensive across the industry and there is little 

activity by way of joint ventures between smaller companies. Such 

collaboration is more likely to exist between the major contractors 

and their sub-contractors. However, this trend is beginning to 

change with joint ventures being discussed between smaller 

companies with a view to exploring the potential for synergy. 

In the defence manufacturing industry, there is a spectrum of activity 

ranging from those companies that manufacture products to those 

that supply engineering solutions. The balance between production 

staff and development and design engineers also varies depending 

upon where they fit in this spectrum of activity. 

The production process in smaller companies is intermittent based 

on batch sizes typically of a few hundred. This is because subassemblies 

can be produced quicker than complete assemblies such 

as missiles, and also because of the requirements of destructive 

proof testing which is used to demonstrate to the customer the 

continuing quality level that is required. Sampling and sentencing for 

destructive proof testing is usually carried out in accordance with BS 

6001. This naturally places a considerable emphasis on the 

company’s production planning capability. 

COAL MINING 

The UK coal mining industry is worth £1000 million a year. The UK 

produced 41 million tonnes of coal in 2001 and coal is the raw 

energy for 34% of the electricity generated in the UK. As electricity 

companies have commitments to provide energy that they cannot 

meet, the security of the energy supply is becoming a national issue. 

The government has agreed an investment policy which will provide 

a proportion of the funding needed for individual mines that are 

demonstrated as economically viable. Whilst government has 

promised £56m, a further £300m must be found by the industry. 

Foreign coal is heavily subsidized, and UK companies must compete 

for the domestic market. In 2003, the UK burned 50m tonnes of coal 

of which around 30m tonnes was imported. A clear national energy 

policy is seen by the industry as essential for the health of the UK 

coal industry. 

Due to low labour costs, coal produced across the world is cheap, 

and until recently, shipping costs were also low. Since 11 

100

September 2001 and the significant increases by the Chinese of their 

import markets, shipping costs have risen sharply for reasons of both 

security and demand. These increased import costs have worked in 

favour of the UK domestic coal industry although local producers are 

unable to meet the full demand. UK coal production contracts are 

agreed on a 5-year basis in advance with domestic companies. 

Global issues such as those described above and any changes to 

the price of foreign coal directly affect the UK domestic supply and 

companies may be forced to buy coal to meet their contractual 

obligations. Whilst a minimum of a 2-3 year contract would be 

needed to provide the economic stability to produce an acceptable 

return on investment, this situation inevitably renders the UK coal 

and electricity markets fragile. 

Coal is the most abundant fuel in the world, but the use of coal has 

lead to concerns being voiced over the environmental impact of coal 

and coal combustion. Emissions of SO2 and NO from the burning of 

coal in the UK have fallen dramatically as coal has been replaced by 

gas, and the new challenge to the coal industry comes from the 

associated CO2 emissions and the role that coal plays in the 

greenhouse gas issues. The demonstration of clean coal 

technologies will enable coal to be burnt in an environmentally 

acceptable way. 

Whilst the UK is currently self-sufficient for its power, our gas 

reserves are running out, and the UK will be a net importer of gas at 

some point in this decade according to government forecasts. 

Eurogas, the association for the European gas industry has reported 

that in 1999, Europe produced only 66% of its own needs. Nearly 

20% of Europe’s gas needs were supplied by Russia and 14% by 

Algeria. 

Over recent years, the market for coal has reduced dramatically. As 

a consequence, the UK coal industry has faced massive 

restructuring which culminated in the announcement by British Coal 

in 1992 of a programme of 31 colliery closures. There are now only 

4 privately owned deep mines in the UK and a further 4 or 5 opencast 

mines. No mine-sinking activity is carried out nor is any 

anticipated. 

The shrinking of the mining industry has had devastating effects on 

communities in the affected areas, but also the reduction of business 

in the mining and quarrying industries has impacted on explosives 

manufacturers. 

Open-cast mines are classified as those with seams close to the 

surface. Coal is extracted, the seam covered over gain and the final 

area is landscaped. Deep mines refer to those that are not exposed 

101

to sunlight for access to which shafts are needed. A 25-year 

programme of aftercare is administered to both kinds of mine. 

Open-cast mines are typically blasted once a day to fragment 

sufficient rock to be extracted in one day. This blasting is usually 

carried out by contractors. The Quarries Regulations 1999 applies to 

open-cast mines, and requires a suitable management structure 

including the appointment of an Explosives Supervisor who is trained 

in blast design. The Quarry Regulations 1999 set out the specifics in 

terms of competence requirements for Explosives Supervisors and 

Shotfirers through the Shotfirers qualification awarded by EPIC. For 

Quarry Managers and operators, the requirement is less specific 

provided that personnel are “competent”. Qualifications gained prior 

to 1999 are still valid, but as the syllabus has changed significantly, 

pre-1999 graduates will be required to re-qualify. The revised 

qualifications now address environmental effects and legislation. 

Command Supervisors (formerly known as Deputies) in deep mines 

need to meet the legislative requirements set out by the Mining 

Qualifications Board (MQB) – a section of the Mines Inspectorate of 

the HSE. The MQB specifies the qualification and approves the 

syllabus. Since little shotfiring is carried out in deep mines which are 

now very localized small scale excavations, there is insufficient 

opportunity to qualify all those working underground. In addition, 

modern machinery is so powerful that there is less demand for the 

use of explosives to extract rock. The industry anticipates that 

ultimately, there will be no need at all for shotfiring underground. 

QUARRYING 

The quarrying industry is dominated by a few large companies such 

as Tarmac, Lafarge and Hansons, and smaller contractors that own 

their own quarry. Most large quarrying companies have their own 

qualified personnel to carry out blasting and drilling operations but 

others – notably the smaller companies bring in sub-contractors to 

blast and drill under contract. UK quarrying is mainly undertaken in a 

belt stretching down from the central belt of Scotland through 

Yorkshire, Derbyshire into Gloucestershire and then into Somerset 

and Cornwall. The open cast coal mining industry operates on a 

similar basis to the quarrying industry as does the clay pit industry. 

Coal mining exists mainly in northern England, South Wales and 

some in central Scotland. The clay pits are in South West England. 

The quarrying industry is directly affected by the amount of large 

scale public developments such as significant road-building 

programmes and tunnelling, and is now shrinking. 

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The industry has been under financial pressure due to the Aggregate 

Tax – a tax on each tonne of material extracted from quarries which 

multiplies by the time it reaches end users. Because of the 

significant increase in cost, road-builders are buying fewer materials 

and using alternatives, mainly by recycling stone which is not subject 

to the Aggregate Tax. In consequence, whilst there has been a 

decrease in quarrying activity, there has also been an increase in 

mobile processing plants to recycle materials. 

A further development has decreased the requirement for road 

building materials. Nowadays, chemicals are used to stabilize clay 

road bases instead of stone. This has minimized the use of stone 

and therefore, has impacted on the bulk suppliers who have typically 

responded to the loss of business by reducing average working days 

from 12 hours to 9 – 10 hours per day. 

The requirements in the quarrying industry for the competence of 

Explosives Supervisors and Shotfirers are set out in the Quarry 

Regulations 1999 and are described in the chapter above relating to 

coal mines. 

OIL AND GAS EXTRACTION 

The UK offshore oil and gas sector (“Upstream”) provides three 

quarters of the UK’s primary energy, providing employment for 

380,000 people. The DTI notes that “the direct impact of oil 

production has helped the UK trade balance considerably. The net 

contribution of trade in oil has been positive since 1980. The 

contribution fell from around £6.5 billion in 2000 to some £5.6 billion 

in 2002. Since the start of major developments in 1965, operators 

and licensees have generated gross operating surpluses totalling 

some £306 billion. They have reinvested around £115 billion in the 

UK oil industry. Revalued to 2002 prices, this represents an 

investment of some £210 billion.” (source: 

www.og.dti.gov.uk/information) in 2002, 2,652 thousand tonnes of 

crude oil were produced in the UK, and in 2003, 786.2 million barrels 

of oil were produced. 

Upstream is facing significant challenges as the province matures. 

In future, its ability to compete will depend upon rapid and continual 

improvements in performance. This in turn will depend on greater 

collaboration to ensure that this performance can be delivered with 

the resources available. The UK still has substantial recoverable 

reserves of oil and gas potentially exceeding the amount already 

produced. However, many existing large producing fields are well 

into decline and discoveries are becoming fewer and smaller or have 

associated technical challenges. 

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The UK is a high cost province. As other areas around the world are 

opening up to international oil investment, the UK needs to compete 

even harder for investment funds. The current average cost of 

finding and producing a barrel of oil in the North Sea is at least $13. 

This compares with $9 a barrel in the Gulf of Mexico and $4 in 

Malaysia. 

There are three companies globally supplying extraction services 

using explosives to oil and gas companies and a number of microbusinesses 

offering limited services within their area of expertise 

based in the North Sea offshore sector. Global companies’ services 

include exploration, extraction and processing ready for sale. 

Halliburton is a major player in this arena with a significant share of 

the global market. In addition, the Jet Research Center (a separately 

owned division of Halliburton) manufactures specialist explosives for 

use in the oil industry in the USA. These explosives are shipped to 

the UK and used in the North Sea to perforate wells both as part of 

Halliburton’s own operations as well as being sold to customers for 

use in theirs. The Jet Research Center delivers additional services 

to customers in the shape of pipe recovery (using explosives to cut 

and retrieve pipes that have become stuck in situ); rig and platform 

recovery on which explosives might be used to cut large steel 

structures below sea after the superstructure has been dismantled; 

and sub-sea explosive ordnance disposal. The need for munition 

clearance activities is identified by marine surveys and is carried out 

before a rig is positioned at its location or before a pipeline is laid. 

The use of explosives in the oil and gas sector is highly competitive 

and very technical area. There is a strong need to collaborate 

closely with customers to ensure the most appropriate selection of 

explosive from a wide range of possible products. The choice would 

depend upon a number of factors including the type of geology, 

depth of use, and whether gas or oil is to be extracted. Other 

pressures on the industry are the need to gain and keep a 

competitive edge in a highly resource-intensive field and to be right 

first time as the financial – and potentially human - consequences of 

making good after mistakes are considerable. 

A fiercely competitive market, the companies have needed to 

diversify into other areas related to its core business in order to 

create new markets particularly where lower taxation and higher 

prospects of good returns on investment may be expected. 

Maintaining the skills base is a major issue in the sector as the 

average age of the workforce has risen from early 20s to the late 

40s. The North Sea market has matured, and the ageing workforce 

reflects both public recognition of this fact and the fact that less work 

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exists now than three decades ago. Above average reward 

schemes largely account for the low turnover so that retention is not 

a significant issue although this may present career blockages for 

those seeking promotion. 

As with other industries using explosives, the sector is subject to 

significant amount of health and safety legislation. Assembling 

perforating guns for use in wells is deemed to be a manufacturing 

activity, and is therefore subject to the HSE’s licensing and 

inspection regimes and the forthcoming MSER legislation relating to 

the manufacture and storage of explosives. 

EXPLOSIVES MANUFACTURE 

Explosives manufacturing includes the assembly, construction and 

blending of components that produce explosives. Due to the 

decreases in the mining and quarrying industries, explosives 

manufacturers have also been affected and companies such as 

Exchem have diversified into related areas such as speciality 

chemical manufacturing, quarry blasting contracting, the 

manufacture of mining adhesives, explosive ordnance disposal 

(EOD), explosives training and consultancy, storage, transport and 

even farming – which optimises the large amount of land which by 

law must surround sites where hazardous materials exist. These 

services are seen as “value-added” as they deliver more to the client. 

For example, in the past, explosives were sold to quarries, but now, 

the service offered to customers is rock removal. 

The shrinking markets in the quarrying and mining industries have 

also affected explosives manufacturers in that the reductions in 

business have resulted in Joint Ventures (JVs) between separate 

companies. 

The biggest driver to civil business is the safety requirement. This 

affects the whole industry’s operations in a number of ways. 

Developments in technology have altered the supply of explosives to 

quarries through the introduction of mobile blending vehicles, thus 

rendering the transport process safer. Separate elements – which 

are themselves safe – are brought to the site and then blended to 

form explosives. Factory planning needs to take into account the 

need for remoteness – which in turn affects the distribution chain, 

and the requirement for a maximum number of people in a magazine 

needs to be taken into account when planning manpower needs and 

operations. 

A reasonably recent development in military explosives 

manufacturing is the introduction of Plastic Bonded Explosives (PBX) 

105

which are used to make Insensitive Munitions (IM). It is MoD policy 

to employ IMs which have the same effect as conventional munitions 

but are safer to store and transport. There is therefore a trend 

toward using IMs where they are appropriate to the application and 

cost-effective (the production costs are significantly more expensive 

than conventional explosives). Royal Ordnance is the only UK 

manufacturer of IHEs (Insensitive High Explosives) and due to the 

increasing uptake of IMs, it is in the process of closing down its 

conventional manufacturing and filling facilities. The manufacture of 

PBX requires a different process from that of conventional 

explosives. 

DISPOSAL 

Munition clearance encompasses explosive ordnance device 

disposal (EOD); conventional munition disposal (CMD); improvised 

explosive device disposal (IEDD); weapons of mass destruction 

disposal (WMDD) (also known as chemical, biological, radiological 

and nuclear weapons disposal (CBRNWD); explosive ordnance 

clearance (EOC); range and training area clearance; battle area 

clearance (BAC); humanitarian demining (HDM); demilitarisation of 

abandoned and stockpiled munitions, clearance diving and 

systematic search. Although a critical aspect of the munition 

clearance process, the latter discipline has broad utility and provides 

a stand-alone capability. 

The primary focus of CMD activities is Explosive Ordnance (EO). 

Explosive ordnance is the primary tool of conflict and is designed to 

kill or deter people, cause delays and deny routes and objectives to 

opposing armed forces and civilian populations. But the majority of 

munition clearance also has as an objective the protection of life, 

property, the economy and the environment. The global military 

arsenal of conventional weapons – current and obsolete – is vast. 

All explosive ordnance is capable of presenting those tasked with 

CMD with potential explosive hazards and these may be 

encountered in peace, tension/crisis and war in a range of 

environments. The threats may result from ordnance that has been 

fired and failed to explode, abandoned explosive ordnance whose 

provenance is unknown or from deliberately placed explosive 

ordnance such as anti-personnel mines. 

IEDs are the tools of terrorist and criminal groups around the world 

and are the primary focus of IEDD activities. Such groups maintain 

wide-ranging links with each other that enable single groups to 

benefit from tactical or technical advances made by other groups. 

Effective countermeasures often result in terrorist groups escalating 

the technical threat using ever more complex technology and 

106

sophisticated tactics. Many types of IED are common to several 

groups and there is increasing evidence of shared knowledge 

worldwide either on a bilateral basis or through widely available 

papers and the internet. 

Disposal by commercial companies is seen as a growing market. 

This is partly due to the confiscation of fireworks which must be 

disposed of; the Scottish offshore industry needing to dispose of 

shaped charges which no longer meet European standards and for 

reasons of good housekeeping; and an increasing tendency in 

military contracts to include demilitarisation clauses. 

Within the private sector companies operating in the munition 

clearance arena, there are concerns as to the lack of training – both 

in quantity and in quality. The competence of job applicants and 

existing practitioners cannot be assured due to the lack of any 

nationally or internationally recognized qualification (although military 

qualifications are recognized by Non-Government Organizations.) 

The risks to life and limb to the practitioners themselves and 

bystanders – is therefore considerable. Furthermore, incompetent 

munition search and clearance operations can degrade military 

effectiveness (war winning) and inhibit post conflict reconstruction by 

resulting in unnecessary loss of life, injury, and economic and 

environmental damage. It is also felt that where training is available, 

it is likely to be comparatively role-specific. Any munition clearance 

operative who moves between employers or to new geographical 

sites may be under-trained and therefore, at risk. A globally 

recognized competence-based qualification is seen as a means of 

assuring competence and therefore, reducing risks to safety. 

FIREARMS PROOFING 

Although not exempt from the Health and Safety at Work Act, the 

Crown is exempt from a requirement for weapons to be proved when 

these have been manufactured by government and used by HM 

Forces. However, since all manufacturing is now in private hands, 

all weapons are required to be proved. In practice, there is little 

manufacturing in the UK which has led to a decline in business for 

the Proof Houses. 

The Proof Houses employ around 16 people across two sites, and, 

there is low staff turnover, and whilst a popular choice for job 

applicants, few are suitable. 

Proofing is the compulsory and statutory testing of all new 

commercial shotguns or other small arms before sale to ensure, so 

far as is practicable, its safety in the hands of the user. Reproofing is 

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the similar testing of a small arms model which has previously been 

proved. Both involved the firing through the barrel of a considerably 

heavier load than is customary in the shooting field, thereby setting 

up pressure and stress on the barrel and action much in excess of 

the pressure generated by standards load cartridges. Such pressure 

is intended to disclose weaknesses in guns. 

Commercial small arms proving (maximum 2in bore) is carried out by 

the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers at their two Proof Houses 

(one in London, the other in Birmingham). The Livery Company was 

established in 1637. There is a Committee of 8 people; a Court of 18; 

and a Livery of 270. 

All commercial arms (new, antique and imported) are subject to 

proofing. Attachments to arms (eg sound modifiers) and ammunition 

are also proofed. Some large bore weapons (ie more than 2in) are 

also proofed such as cannons used by re-enactment societies and 

film production companies in order to obtain public liability insurance. 

The standards and regulations covering small arms proving are laid 

out in the Gunbarrel Proof Act of 1868 and the Rules of Proof (last 

edition 1989) which is currently being re-drafted, and which specified 

how guns and ammunitions are tested. The Gunbarrel Proof Act 

1978 enables reciprocal recognition of proof marks by international 

signatories. 

Large military arms and munition proofing (ie over 30mm/2in bore) is 

carried out by QinetiQ at Shoeburyness. MoD Pendine (QinetiQ) 

proofs, tests and evaluates military munitions up to 30mm bore and 

is NATO’s Small Arms Proof House. The principles of stressing to 

ensure the weapon and ammunition are fit for purpose apply equally 

to large bores. This includes subjecting shells to extreme conditions 

to ensure their fitness for purpose in the different environments in 

which they might be used. A release certificate specifying the 

conditions in which the piece is safe to use may then be issued. 

Maintenance is part of the proofing requirements as failed 

ammunition could be unstable, unpredictable and unsafe, it must be 

re-proofed as it reaches the end of its lifespan to re-qualify as safe 

and fit for purpose. For military ammunition (and all its components), 

the lifespan is determined at the outset by DOSG and a re-proof 

profile is determined ie the date by which the item must be reproofed 

and the method for doing so. This is listed in the initial 

certificate of serviceability. The proofing programme covers different 

elements of re-proofing. For example, it might cover a full cycle of 

testing or it might involve specific types of environmental testing as 

well as firing. The rigour of the testing regime is usually 

proportionate to the cost of the item being tested. 

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MOTOR INDUSTRY 

Every modern car is fitted with sensors that actuate explosive 

airbags on impact. Since the airbags are swift to respond to the 

signal, seatbelts must be fitted with pre-tensioners to ensure their 

simultaneous co-ordination. Two occupations are involved in 

activities associated with explosive elements of car manufacturing: 

Motor Vehicle Technicians and Vehicle Body Repairers. 

Due to the presence of explosives, the industry is subject to the 

HSE’s explosives legislation in the same way as other industries. 

The main issue for the industry is the need to keep the workforce’s 

skills up to date with rapidly advancing technology such as those 

needed to fit, remove and replace airbags. 

DEMOLITION 

The demolition market is currently buoyant due to the confidence in 

the economic climate, with demolition work preceding building 

programmes. Safety is the biggest driver of the industry as 

historically, demolition is the cause of the second largest number of 

deaths in the building industry. However, the use of explosives is 

regarded as ten times safer than traditional methods of dismantling, 

and is therefore becoming a more acceptable method of demolition. 

Comparative risk assessment is a way of life in demolition – literally, 

comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each different 

method of carrying out a demolition task. On a purely economic 

basis, the use of explosives would be the most beneficial. 

Estimated as an annual market of approximately £20m, the UK 

explosives demolition market accounts for roughly 10% of the whole 

UK demolition market and is growing for reasons of safety and 

economic efficiency. 

In general, the industry does not experience recruitment problems as 

there is a steady stream of applicants with relevant experience 

leaving the armed forces. However, these recruits require training in 

the commercial aspects of demolition. Also, as they are recruited 

often in their early – mid 40s, their remaining working life is limited. It 

is anticipated that – due to demographic reasons – there will be an 

acute shortage of explosives engineers and concerns have been 

expressed as to the need for training to begin now as part of the 

succession planning process. 

TRANSPORT AND STORAGE 

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The commercial movement of ESA is a relatively small niche market. 

Full details are not available for security reasons, but it is estimated 

that some 30K – 40K tonnes of commercial explosives are moved 

into and out of the UK annually. The split between defence business 

and commercial business is estimated as approximately 50/50. It 

should be noted that this does not include commercial contracts for 

allied power defence and the MoD’s own large ESA movement 

commitments. There has been a significant reduction globally in the 

need for explosives to be used in mining as chemicals can now be 

blended on site, thus obviating the need to transport explosives to 

the site. This trend is expected to increase. There is also expected 

to be a downturn in the defence market for the movement of 

explosives as weapons become more accurate and technology 

advances, so decreasing the need for large amounts of ammunition 

although it will remain significant. Conversely, as weapons become 

smaller and more portable, an increase in risks relating to terrorism 

is expected. 

Unsurprisingly, given the high insurance costs, the typical cost of 

moving an explosives container is around five or six times the cost of 

moving a normal container load. Despite the potential for profit, few 

carriers will take the risk of operating in this area. The explosives 

movement sub-sector is heavily regulated, and the constraints 

imposed by regulatory controls have led to the creation of a subnetwork 

of specialist carriers by land, sea and air within the general 

national and international freight movement markets. Five specialist 

companies operate in the UK, varying a bit in their particular 

specialities but in general offering a full package of chartering ships, 

lorries, trains and planes. Services can, if required by the customer, 

include checking the customer’s packing and labelling, arranging 

transport to airports, holding cargoes in magazines, arranging 

customs export clearance and import clearance at the cargo’s point 

of export and its destination, trucking arrangements, security, and 

obtaining import, export and transit licences. Historically, customers 

dealt with a number of different operators for each part of the 

movement chain but modern operators have unified services into 

one logistics chain, offering both increased efficiency and reductions 

in risks to both health and safety and in security as well as reducing 

the risk of commercial loss. An important aspect of moving 

explosives is that, if anything goes wrong, consequential costs 

rapidly mount exponentially and disproportionately. 

Strategically, the explosives movement sub-sector is significant as it 

enables the conduct of military operations, and hinders their 

execution in the case of problems. For example, when the Royal 

Fleet Auxiliary Fort Stixene loaded with ammunition exploded in 

Bombay harbour in 14 April 1944, it caused so much damage that 

110

the British campaign against the Japanese was delayed by 3 

months. 

The category of explosive as classified by the UN determines the 

transport requirements. For example, category 1.1 explosives 

(potential instant mass detonation of the whole load) cannot be 

transported by passenger ferry or by tunnel. Many shipping lines will 

not take such loads even if they are allowed to so by the terms of the 

port explosive licences as the commercial risks from delays, 

inspections and regulatory requirements are disproportionate to 

revenues. The correct labelling of the categories of explosives is 

therefore critical as this determines the treatment of the consignment 

by successive carriers and facility operators throughout its 

movement. 

When explosives are moved domestically or internationally, they 

must be certified as safe for “transport as packed” by national 

Competent Authorities. In the UK, the two Competent Authorities are 

the HSE Explosives Inspectorate and the MoD. However, a small 

consignment of detonators would be categorized as hazard division 

1.1 but can be downgraded to hazard division 1.4 by packing them in 

a 1m3 box of Kapok or similar material. 

There exist reciprocal agreements to accept other countries’ 

designations as safe for transport but no absolute requirement to 

accept them. In practice, most countries’ designations are accepted 

but some – from specific countries – are checked in detail before 

import licences are granted. 

All explosives (and other dangerous goods) are allocated a 4-digit 

UN number from which the carrier determines the requirements for 

storage and movement. Consignors are responsible for correct 

labelling. As with the correct classification of explosive type, correct 

labelling is critical as the majority of transport problems are caused 

by incorrect labelling. Incorrect labelling results in incorrect and 

unsafe handling by successive carriers, docks and airport, who think 

they are handling a consignment with hazard characteristics in 

accordance with the labelling but are in fact handling explosive with 

quite different hazard characteristics. 

Once the load has been allocated its UN number, the carrier must 

follow various codes depending upon the method of transport to be 

used. 

For transport by sea, carriers follow the United Nations International 

Maritime Dangerous Goods Code. Inter alia, this suggests what 

training must be given to ships’ crews; how the cargo must be 

stowed, packed and separated from other hazardous goods. 

111

For road transport, the current UK legislation covering the movement 

of dangerous materials is the Carriage of Explosives by Road 

Regulations 1996 as amended and the Carriage of Dangerous 

Goods by Road (Driver training) Regulations 1996. These are to be 

replaced in May 2004 by the Agrément pour le Transport des 

Marchandises Dangereuses par Routes (known in the UK as “ADR”) 

and the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable 

Pressure Equipment Regulations which enshrine ADR into UK law . 

Whilst the UK signs up to the main principles of ADR, there remain 

some historical differences in the detail eg traditional acceptable UK 

weight limits exceed those of other EC nations. Also, as ADR 

legislation specifies the vehicle requirements for different types of 

explosive category and the limits on combinations of different 

categories, this has investment implications for management in 

deciding how many and which types of vehicle should be bought or 

leased, or whether sub-contracting arrangements should be made. 

By rail, carriers follow the Regulations Concerning the International 

Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail. For transport by air, carriers 

follow the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Technical 

Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. For 

explosives to be transported under either of these regulations, the 

carrier selects and applies the treatment appropriate to the 

designated UN classification. 

Both the amount of regulation and the rate of change are factors 

identified by the industry as causing additional burdens on their 

operations, but also, what are seen as contradictory requirements. A 

dichotomy is perceived between the need for safety and the need for 

security. For example, whilst the safest place to keep a lorry load of 

TNT would be in the middle of an open space, the securest place 

would be confined in secure premises – which would not be the 

safest. In the light of recent military offensives and global terrorism, 

the industry perceives the trend for current pressures as moving from 

the greatest need for safety to the greatest need for security. 

FIREWORKS 

Few fireworks manufacturers remain in the UK due to the huge 

import market from China. This, coupled with high UK labour costs 

has driven the UK fireworks manufacturing market into decline. For 

those that remain, fireworks are manufactured, tested and packed in 

warehouses, but the transport function for distribution to retailers is 

contracted out. 

The supply of fireworks is a major support to the retail industry, and 

makes a substantial contribution to 30,000 retail outlets. The 

112

consumer market is worth around £60m per annum and professional 

displays are valued at around £20m p.a. Approximately 30 

companies import fireworks from China and supply the retail trade. 

The fireworks market is seasonal and relies heavily on temporary 

and part time staff. Retailers of fireworks are required to obtain a 

local authority licence issued under the Explosives Act if they store 

up to 1800Kg of fireworks. Fireworks are usually sold in small shops 

which do not generally belong to any particular industry or trade 

group. 

Trends in the fireworks industry have changed little in the last 

century and are not subject to changes in taste or technological 

advance as in other industries. 

Changes in legislation dealing with fireworks is imminent, taking 

effect by December 2003, through the Fireworks Regulations 2003 

and the Manufacturing and Storage of Explosives Regulations 

(MSER) which will replace the 1875 Explosives Act. MSER 

legislation will affect all industries using explosives. From the 

fireworks industry perspective, the enabling legislation of the 

Fireworks Act 2003 will make it illegal to possess fireworks under the 

age of 18 and to possess fireworks not intended for general public 

use (previously, it was illegal to supply fireworks but not to possess 

them). In addition, there will be a fireworks curfew between 11pm 

and 7am. The new legislation will also cover a formal training 

requirement for those involved with professional displays; the time of 

use; and the enforcement of the current voluntary agreement of the 

3-week selling period prior to 5 November. There will also be tighter 

controls on imports as there is currently a substantial problem with 

illegal imports in the way that they are stored and sold. Decibel limits 

will also be introduced. 

The MSER legislation will increase the amount of consumer 

fireworks stored at retail outlets; allow an increase in the amount of 

consumer firework on display at retail outlets and update the way 

that fireworks are stored at retail outlets. 

The biggest issue for the industry is the nuisance factor and the 

constant noise produced by fireworks has created adverse publicity 

for the industry. However, the single biggest issue is the misuse of 

fireworks post-sale, and the industry is attempting to educate 

retailers who are regulated by local authorities in the storage and 

sale of fireworks. 

In the UK, it is illegal to set off fireworks in a public space (note: the 

area surrounding public displays are in fact roped off, therefore 

creating a “private” space). This differs from other EU countries 

which permit letting off fireworks in public (streets, parks, open 

113

spaces etc), and the UK is far more heavily regulated than elsewhere 

in the EU. Attempts to introduce harmonized EU-wide legislation are 

seen as potentially harmful to the UK which is already in advance of 

other member states. 

In many industries, the packing function has been automated to 

varying degrees – either partially or wholly. However, in the event of 

an incident, it would be difficult to stop the propagation of reaction, 

and therefore, fireworks packing is carried out on a small batch basis 

rather than continuous production. The packing area is cleared after 

each batch before starting the process again. Fireworks packing is 

therefore subject to less automation than other industries. This 

poses a further problem. The imminent EU Pyrotechnic Directive will 

require more rigorous standards of testing and labelling which will 

mean making QA checks on samples from each batch made. In 

Kimbolton’s case, where large fireworks are made for professional 

use, a 25% test of the 7Kg batch represents 1 firework in 4 being 

used for QA purposes. The commercial implications of this are 

significant. 

A risk assessment is made in each production shed for each 

process. There is now a requirement for each risk assessment to be 

written which has increased the amount of time spent on carrying out 

risk assessments. However, as people do not in general read them, 

there remains a constant communication requirement to ensure all 

staff remain alert to the common dangers caused by impact, friction, 

static, temperature and humidity – all of which are frequent topics for 

in-house training. 

There are as many as 5,000 professional fireworks display operators 

in the UK although many of these do not practise more than once a 

year. Since 1996, government has been increasing regulation in this 

area, and the DTI has designated certain items as to be used only by 

“professionals”. The currently accepted definition of “professional” is 

someone who has 365 day per year insurance; has access to proper 

storage arrangements (as defined by HSE); and is “competent” – 

although there is at present no agreed definition of what this is. 

Effectively, this change of emphasis has shifted fireworks displays 

from a leisure pursuit into the world of work. Display operators are 

responsible for carrying out site risk assessments and ensuring that 

any changes at the site are accommodated in the display plan. For 

example, the new or changed location of marquees and car parks 

could present new risks and the planned debris patterns and 

trajectory angles may need to be re-calculated. 

PERFORMING ARTS SPECIAL EFFECTS 

114

In 2003, the worldwide film industry was worth £42.3billion and is 

growing by 6.3% per year. It has been forecasted that in 2007, 

consumers will spend £54billion watching films in the cinema and on 

video. The value of indigenous UK production has fluctuated 

between £165m and £200m since 1996, well above the £30 - £40m 

level of the early 1990s. 

Although one of the smallest occupational group within the 

performing arts industry, Special Effects is one of the most 

prestigious. British Special Effects technicians are often said to be 

unrivalled, with increasing numbers of US films being made in the 

UK as a result. 

There is fierce competition both among UK companies and between 

UK and overseas businesses, in particular, those in Eastern Europe 

and the US. However, competition is generally viewed as a positive 

thing – a motivation for constant improvement and excellence. 

Employers recognize that the creativity of their people is paramount. 

However, investing in skills development is a significant and 

sometimes prohibitive operating cost. 

Special Effects is both a small and specialist area, and entry is 

difficult despite the increasing number of special effects being used 

in films and television programmes. Media and graphics courses are 

available, but new entrants still have to shadow those working above 

them for some time before they have the experience to progress, 

particularly in more dangerous and technical areas such as 

pyrotechnics. 

Many special effects companies have been in existence for an 

average of around 12 – 15 years, and most employ between 10 and 

25 permanent staff. 

The key business drivers to the Special Effects industry are: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the increase in the global visual effects market 

shortages of talent 

lack of easy access to the global employment market 

fiscal policy in the UK to sustain inward investment 

pressure on budgets, competition with cheaper markets 

difficulty in finding better quality but cheaper technology. 

The UK film industry is in direct competition with the American 

market, and the Special Effects sector loses its personnel to the 

American market due to their attractive salaries. 

Freelancers are assessed on a job-by-job basis. 

115

The industry is heavily regulated, and there have been no plans to 

develop N/SVQs to date. 

NUMBERS EMPLOYED WITHIN THE SECTOR 

TOTAL INDUSTRY SIZE 

Despite its name, the DTI Small Business Service (SBS) is able to 

provide data on the numbers employed in different industries 

regardless of the size of the organization. These data derive from 

VAT returns. However, whilst the Standard Industrial Classification 

(SIC) codes are identifiable for relevant industries down to a 4-digit 

level of detail, the SBS’s data are only available down to a 3-digit 

level of detail. This means that industries or sectors are included 

which may not necessarily be relevant to ESA occupations. For 

example, SIC code 101 includes the manufacture of solid fuel in 

addition to deep and open cast coal working. It also includes civil 

engineering projects that may or may not use explosives (eg the 

Channel Tunnel). Similarly, SIC code 246 includes the manufacture 

of glues, gelatines and essential oils in addition to explosives and 

fireworks manufacture. However, they do provide useful indicators. 

The SIC codes relevant to ESA occupations are: 

10.10 Coal mine (deep or drift) 

11.10 Gas extraction (natural gas) 

11.20 Oil extraction service activities 

14.11 Quarrying of stone 

14.12 Quarrying of limestone, gypsum & chalk 

14.13 Quarrying of slate 

14.21 Quarrying of sand & clay 

24.61 Explosives manufacture/firework manufacture 

29.60 Firearms manufacturers (hunting, sporting or protective use) 

34.10 Motor vehicle manufacture 

45.11 Demolition contracting/blasting & associated rock removal 

45.25 Mine sinking 

51.12 Fireworks (commissioning agent) 

116

51.55 Explosives wholesalers 

92.11 Motion picture production on film or videotape 

92.20 Television programme production 

92.31 Live theatre presentations. 

The table that follows shows the total numbers employed in civilian 

organizations. These figures include roles not associated with EA 

occupations) at the greatest level of detail possible from the SBS ie 3 

digits. 

Note that the numbers have been rounded to avoid disclosure. A 

symbol * replaces data that are deemed to be disclosive. 

SUMMARY OF AVAILABLE DATA OF CIVILIAN NUMBERS OF EMPLOYEES (000S) 

BY SIC CODE 

Employe 

r size 

10 

1 

11 

1 

11 

2 

14 

1 

14 

2 

24 

6 

29 

6 

34 

1 

45 

1 

45 

2 

51 

1 

51 

5 

92 

1 

92 

2 

92 

3 

Tota 

l 

Micro 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 2 5 19 

6 

Small * * * 2 2 4 0 2 6 14 

0 

23 40 9 5 30 314 

13 67 7 5 13 261 

Medium * * 3 * * 9 * 4 * 96 * 49 * 7 13 181 

Large * * * * * 18 * 90 * 19 

8 

* 87 * 53 14 460 

All 11 11 14 6 19 31 15 98 18 63 

0 

52 24 

2 

38 70 71 1326 

NUMBERS EMPLOYED IN ESA OCCUPATIONS IN COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS 


It is estimated that the defence manufacturing industry employs 

approximately 21,000 people, of which 4000 are engaged on ESA 

work. 

COAL MINING 

The Coal Authority gives the figures of those employed in September 

2003 in the UK coal industry as: 

117

Open cast: 2350 

Underground: 6209 

Total: 8559. 

Of these, it is estimated that around 50 people working in open cast 

mines use explosives, and around 25 people in deep mines ie 75 in 

toto. 

QUARRYING 

EPIC – the National Training Organization for the extractive and 

mineral processing industries quotes 30,000 people as employed in 

work relating to quarry products. The latest date for which figures 

are available of people qualified to use explosives (ie Blast Design 

certificates, Explosives Supervisors and Shotfirers) is 2000. At this 

date, the numbers were 750. Although this figure will have been 

exceeded, it is not possible to say by how much. 


It is estimated that there are approximately 35,000 people as a whole 

working in the offshore oil and gas sector ie on-shore support and 

platforms. Of these, it is estimated that there are 200 at most who 

use explosives. 


It is estimated that the explosives manufacturing industry employs 

approximately 600 people of which around 200 are employed on 

ESA activities. 

FIREARMSPROOFING 

There are 16 people employed in roles that involve explosives 

handling in the two UK Proof Houses dealing with small arms 

proving. 

The proving of large weapons is carried out by QinetiQ. The 

numbers involved are listed separately under the MoD heading. 


There are 226,627 Motor Vehicle Technicians and 28,535 Vehicle 

Body Repairers involved in fitting airbags and pre-tensioners in the 

motor vehicle manufacturing industry ie 255,162 in total (source: 

Motor Industry Training Council). 

118

DISPOSAL 

The figures below were listed in the Munition Clearance 

Occupational Map. As these have been included elsewhere, they 

have not been included in the totals, but are shown here for 

completeness’ sake. 

ORGANIZATION 

Nos. 

employed 

Nos. potential 

candidates 

33 Engineer Regiment (EOD) 650 520 

Royal Logistic Corps 700 600 

Royal Navy (FDS and MCMVs) 281 269 

Royal Air Force Armament Support Unit 168 168 

DEODS 63 46 

NSC (military branch) 70 30 

NSC (police branch) 18 11 

DSTL 1180 542 

QinetiQ Shoeburyness contractors 55 35 

Police Service 1000 800 

Contractors (estimate) c.200 c.100 

Territorial Army 446 360 

TOTAL 4707 3481 

DEMOLITION 

There are 3 specialist demolition companies employing around 150 

people in total. Of these, approximately 80 people use explosives. 


The logistics industry as a whole employs some 1.7 million people in 

63,000 companies. Skills for Logistics estimates that there are 

455,000 people involved in warehousing occupations (of which 

68,000 are employed in a management function). The Health and 

Safety Executive estimates that of these, around 500 are engaged in 

the warehousing of ordnance, munitions or explosives. 

The industry covering the manufacture of transport equipment (ie all 

motor-related vehicles) is estimated at 4,309,472 at spring 2004 

(source: Automotive Skills). At September 2003, there were 110,000 

drivers qualified with a Vocational Training Certificates for driving 

dangerous goods. It is estimated that approximately one third of 

119

these ie 36,666 would be qualified in Class 1 (ie explosives). There 

are approximately 4,500 qualified Dangerous Goods Safety Advisers 

(DGSAs) most of whom would be qualified to cover Class 1. 

FIREWORKS 

There are no published numbers of those people directly involved in 

fireworks handling occupations (manufacturing, retailing or displays). 

It is estimated that there are around 1000 staff employed in 

manufacturing and importing companies (ie excluding retailers). Of 

these, it is estimated that about half are sales and administrative 

staff, and the remaining 500 are involved in packing, warehousing, 

manufacturing and testing occupations. 


Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries 

estimates that there are around 34,000 people in the industry as a 

whole. BECTU estimates that there are some 654 people employed 

in Special Effects, of whom 127 are freelances. Within Special 

Effects, it is estimated that 150 people are employed in pyrotechnics. 

120

TOTAL ESA ESTIMATES IN COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS 

Sector 

Sub-sector 

numbers 

ESA Numbers 

Defence manufacturing 21,000 4000 

Coal mining 8559 75 

Quarrying 30,000 750 

Oil & gas extraction 35,000 200 

Explosive manufacture 600 200 

Firearms proofing 16 16 

Motor industry 4,309,472 255,162 

Disposal 4707 4707 

Demolition 150 80 

Transport & storage 565,000 367,168 

Fireworks 1000 500 

Special effects 654 150 

Total 4,976,158 633,008 

ARMED FORCES AND MOD EMPLOYEES IN ESA OCCUPATIONS 

Surveys have been carried out in both the armed forces and across 

MoD and other civilian functions to identify the numbers of personnel 

in ESA occupations. The results are set out below. 

ARMED FORCES 

ROYAL NAVY 

Total population: 36,000 including the Royal Marines of which the 

following roles are involved in ESA work: 

121

Functional area (eg 

storekeeping, transport) 

Managerial Supervisory Technician Operator Other 

Storage, handling 100 200 250 

Maintenance & repair 

(ship) 

Safety management (ship 

& shore) 

150 200 500 250 

350 

Trials & development** 500 500 250 

Procurement/upkeep** 250 250 200 

Training 150 250 500 150 

Total 1500 1400 1700 400 

Grand total 5000 

ARMY 

Total population: 100,000 of which the following roles are involved in 

ESA work: 




Transport: Drivers 10,000 

Transport: Escorts 10,000 

Transport: Authorized 

representatives 

Storekeeping: Ammunition 

Storeman 

2500 

1000 

Technical: ATO 250 

Technical: AT 330 

Total 250 330 23,500 

122

Grand total 24,080 



ESA work: 




Total 3091 4010 891 3984 2 

Grand total (inc. MoD 

civilians employed by the 

RAF) 

11,987 

SUMMARY OF ARMED FORCES ESA POPULATION 

Managerial Supervisory Technician Operator Other Total 

Royal Navy 1500 1400 1700 400 5000 

Army 250 330 23,500 24,080 

RAF 3091 4010 891 3984 2 11,987 

Total 4841 5410 2921 27884 2 

Grand total 41,058 

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE 


Total population: 4200 of which the following roles are involved in 

ESA work: 




OME Safety Adviser 7 15 33 

OME Project Manager 9 23 66 

OME Commodity 

Manager 

8 11 

OME Quality/Safety 1 9 15 

123

OME Policy & Regulation 5 10 30 

OME Science 7 8 23 

Total 30 73 167 11 


AIR LAUNCHED MISSILE INTEGRATED PROJECT TEAM (ALM IPT) 

Total population: 180 of which the following roles are involved in ESA 

work: 



Assembly/Processing (inc. 

demil) 

Inventory 

Management/Procurement 

Supply/Demand 

Management 


6 

5 15 

2 2 10 

Safety (all aspects) 8 30 

Total 15 47 6 10 


SURVIVAL & AIRBORNE DELIVERY INTEGRATED PROJECT TEAM (S&AD 

(IPT) 


work: 




Transport & Distribution 2 1 1 

Inventory 

management/Procurement 

2 1 1 

Safety (all aspects) 8 2 

Ops/Policy 8 2 1 

124

Total 20 6 3 


125

SHIPS MISSILE SYSTEMS INTEGRATED PROJECT TEAM (SMS IPT) 


work: 



Inventory 


Supply/Demand 

Management 


8 8 

3 6 

Safety (all aspects) 4 

Total 15 14 


GUIDED WEAPONS SYSTEMS SUPPORT INTEGRATED PROJECT TEAM 

(GWSS IPT) 


work: 






Demil) 

2 1 2 

Warehousing 1 1 2 

Inventory 


5 5 3 

Planning/Scheduling 4 5 3 

Supply/Demand 

Management 

2 1 3 

Safety (all aspects) 5 5 3 

Ops/Policy 5 5 3 

Total 25 24 21 

126


DEFENCE MOVEMENTS AND TRANSPORT AUTHORITY (DTMA) 


work: 




Drivers 50 

Total 50 


DEFENCE GENERAL MUNITIONS INTEGRATED PROJECT TEAM (IPT) 


work: 




Transport & Distribution 4 


Demil) 

2 

Warehousing 

Inventory 


38 

Planning/Scheduling 

Supply/Demand 

Management 

20 

Safety (all aspects) 37 5 6 

Ops/Policy 8 

Total 109 5 6 


127



ESA work: 




(admin) 


Assembly/Processing 62 47 131 87 

Warehousing 11 29 241 

Inventory 


2 1 7 

Planning/Scheduling 23 5 18 25 

Supply/Demand 

Management 

8 1 11 

Safety (Licensing) 9 3 2 

Policy/procedure 64 12 8 7 

Property Management 8 3 1 18 

Jetty Handling 1 21 

Quality 5 

Head of Establishment 1 

Total 198 105 158 474 


128

SUMMARY OF MOD ESA POPULATION 

Organization Managerial Supervisory Technician Operator Total 

DPA 30 73 167 11 281 

ALM IPT 15 47 6 10 78 

S&AD IPT 20 6 3 29 

SMS IPT 15 14 29 

GWSS IPT 25 24 21 70 

DTMA IPT 50 50 

DGM IPT 109 5 6 120 

DSDA 198 105 158 474 935 

Total 412 274 358 548 1592 


DEFENCE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LABORATORIES (DSTL) 


ESA work: 




Range (ie trials) 2 7 1 Trainee 

Magazine 1 

R&D 13 39 15 152 15 

SHEF 1 

Total 17 46 15 152 16 


QINETIQ 


ESA work: 

129



Research scientists and 

engineers 


21 52 92 67 

ESA support staff 3 5 19 

Management of ESA 

operations 

Trials/Project 

Planning/Management 

37 

21 4 1 

Explosive Storage 4 7 13 8 

Explosive Transportation 2 7 12 24 

ESA Trials 13 14 12 17 63* 

Range Support 1 2 9 16 2 

Environmental Testing 5 8 39 

Demilitarization 4 7 2 41 

Proof and Test 10 13 10 2 

Demolition and CMD 17 5 5 3 

Armament Accounting 5 4 10 

Total 138 120 178 237 65 


* Weapons armourers who wire up explosive devices to test or 

military platforms (eg bombs on planes, ejector seats actuators, 

rocket motors). Many technicians working on aircraft weaponry have 

no formal ESA training but this is part of the package of training 

specific to the weapons system with which they work. 

130

GRAND TOTALS 

Total population: 5,237,997 of which the following roles are involved in 

ESA work: 

Sub-sector Managerial Supervisor Technician Operator Other Total 

Armed forces 4841 5410 2921 27,884 2 41,058 

MoD 412 274 358 548 1592 

DSTL 17 46 15 152 16 246 

QinetiQ 138 120 178 237 65 738 

Private sector 

Not 

available 

Not 

available 

Not 

available 

Not 

available 

Not 

available 

632,508 

Grand Total 676,142 

ROLES 

There are large numbers of people working with explosives in the 

military and civil sectors. Members of the armed services transport, 

store, use and dispose of explosives on a daily basis. In the civil 

sector, explosives are use in the mining, offshore and demolition 

businesses as well as explosives and fireworks manufacturing, 

special effects and retailing. 


MOD 


INTEGRATED PROJECT TEAMS (IPTS) 

Please see the DLO Munitions Business Area section for a 

description of IPTs. 

131

DEFENCE ORDNANCE SAFETY GROUP (DOSG) 

SAFETY POLICY AND REGULATION 

Staff in the Safety Policy and Regulation area provide policy and 

regulatory oversight across a number of areas: Defence Land Range 

Safety; Military Laser Safety; ESA Safety Management; Explosives 

Safety; and Major Accident Control Regulation. They are 

responsible for producing and maintaining regulatory standards 

within the UK and represent the UK on NATO policy in certain areas 

relating to explosives safety. Close liaison is maintained with 

national legislative bodies such as the HSE, EA and SEPA. The 

group also provides a forum for exchange of information between the 

MoD and industry on ESA subject matters as well as providing the 

focal point for foreign government discussions. 

Personnel in these roles combine military and civilian backgrounds 

as both technical and operational understanding is necessary, and 

who have science, engineering or safety management expertise. 

Typical work across the group involves the provision of safety 

advice, the development of Departmental safety policy and 

regulation, support to functional safety boards across the 

Department and carrying out assurance activities across MoD 

service and civilian boundaries. 

These staff may hold a first or Masters degree in a relevant subject 

and have substantial relevant experience – for example, in 

explosives safety, equipment safety, health and safety management 

and operational experience. 

SAFETY ADVISERS 

Safety Advisers interface with DOSG’s customers, of which IPTs are 

the major consumers of advice which might span the design, 

development, procurement, storage and disposal of ESA. As the 

size and remit of an IPT differs (from 15/20-strong to teams of 60/70, 

and covering a potentially wide range of systems or weapons 

systems, Advisers’ input into an IPT also varies according to need 

and the nature of each Adviser’s specialist expertise eg a particular 

weapon system or an environment (eg desert or under water). 

Typically, personnel in these roles combine civilian and military 

backgrounds as both technical knowledge and operational expertise 

is necessary, and who have science, engineering and safety 

management expertise. Typical work involves independent safety 

advice and risk assessment, interpretation of safety tests and trials, 

development of ESA design standards, qualifications of energetic 

132

materials, management of technology demonstrator programmes, 

developing and applying Departmental Safety Policy. Other safety 

advice might cover developing safety policy on certain safety matters 

such as explosives storage and transport or land ranges safety 

policy and acting as the MoD focal point for enquiries on a given 

safety matter. 

Safety Advisers normally hold a first or Masters degree in a relevant 

science subject, most relevant of which is the MSc in Explosive 

Ordnance Engineering and have substantial relevant previous 

experience – for example, in explosives safety, equipment safety, 

risk assessment, trails specification/management and operational 

experience. 

SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL GROUP 

Staff in the Science and Technical Group provide support to the 

policy-making group by providing technical expertise. They also 

provide the deep level of knowledge needed to support the 

compliance régime to meet the requirements of the advice provided 

by the Safety Advisers and provide expert advice to the Safety 

Advisers themselves. They judge the safety and suitability of ESA 

during UK procurement and service and represent the UK for NATO 

policy in certain areas. These roles are responsible for ensuring that 

new OME and adaptations to existing ESA meet NATO’s current 

standards (STANAGS) and for developing appropriate new 

standards for future use. 

Typically, personnel in these roles combine civilian and military 

backgrounds as both technical knowledge and operational expertise 

is necessary, and who have science, engineering and safety 

management expertise. Typical work involves independent safety 

advice and risk assessment, interpretation of safety tests and trials, 

development of ESA design standards, qualifications of energetic 

materials, management of technology demonstrator programmes, 

developing and applying Departmental Safety Policy. 

Personnel in these roles normally hold a first or Masters degree in a 

relevant science subject, most relevant of which is the MSc in 

Explosive Ordnance Engineering and have substantial relevant 

previous experience – for example, in explosives safety, equipment 

safety, risk assessment, trails specification/management and 

operational experience. 

DEFENCE LOGISTICS ORGANIZATION (DLO) 

133

DLO MUNITIONS BUSINESS AREA 

The Munitions Business Area has three key components: Integrated 

Project Teams (IPTs), the Munitions Corporate Business Unit 

(MCBU) and the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency (DSDA). 

134


These project-based organizations are founded to bring together all 

stakeholders and involve industry under a team leader able to 

balance the trade-offs between performance, cost and time within 

boundaries set by the approving authority. IPTs also provide a 

clearly defined customer-supplier relationship. Together, these 

changes will allow IPTs to deliver consistency and continuity 

throughout the project life cycle, and ensure close and effective 

involvement of all major stakeholders in key decisions. It includes all 

the skills necessary to manage the project. These range from 

requirements management through project management and 

engineering and technical skills to equipment support. IPTs are the 

Duty of Care Holders for intrinsic safety. Except during the 

assessment of competitive bids, the IPT will include representatives 

from industry and at the appropriate points, financial and technical 

scrutineers. 

MUNITIONS CORPORATE BUSINESS UNIT (MCBU) 

As head of the Munitions Business Area (MBA), the MCBU provides 

support and strategic direction to enable the defence munitions 

business, especially munitions-related IPTs such that they are able 

to deliver their outputs most effectively and efficiently. MCBU 

provides munitions-related operational, logistic and, when 

appropriate, technical advice to DLO ACDS (Log Ops), Permanent 

Joint Head Quarters (PJHQ), Front Line Commands (FLC), Director 

Equipment Capability (DEC) and Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of the 

Naval Staff, Chief of the Air Staff, and Chief of the General Staff 

(Centre Staffs). It hosts the work of the Inspector of Explosives 

(DLO), provides the MoD focus for the management of the MoD/RoD 

(Royal Ordnance Defence) Framework Partnering Agreement and 

co-chairs the top level Steering Committee. It represents the DLO 

on the Defence Ordnance Safety Board (DOSB) and acts as the 

focus for explosives safety on behalf of CDL. MCBU also represents 

the munitions business on the DLO Contingency Planning Group. 

Although listed here below, similar inspection roles also exist within 

the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force. 

INSPECTOR OF EXPLOSIVES (DLO) TEAM LEADER 

This post is responsible for the development, implementation and 

management of DLO explosive risk management and explosive 

licensing policy and assuring Duty of Care Holder compliance with 

135

appropriate regulation and legislation on behalf of the DLO. The 

postholder also leads the DLO explosives licensing team and directs 

the activities of the site inspector. A prerequisite of working in this 

area is experience of working in and explosives processing and/or 

storage area and knowledge of explosives-related legislation and 

regulations. 

INSPECTOR 

The Inspector post carries out biennial explosives safety inspections 

of all DLO explosives sites and the IE (DLO) licensed sites in 

Gibraltar, providing safety advice on request to site operators. 

DLO LICENSING STAFF 

Posts in this area are responsible for preparing standard and nonstandard 

explosives licences to DLO sites in the UK and also for 

berths and underground storage and processing facilities in 

Gibraltar. All licences are required to comply with the ALARP 

principle (ie that risks are as low as reasonably practicable). 

OTHER ROLES COVERED ELSEWHERE 

The MBA also employs ESA staff in roles such as transport 

(including road and jetty operators) and warehouse staff that are 

described in other sub-sectors. 

OTHER ROLES 

In its whole life assessment work as well as in operational outputs 

teams, the MBA requires personnel who have a deep understanding 

of ESA work – health and safety and legislative requirements in 

addition to a full understanding of operational requirements, and the 

nature and functioning of munitions and explosives. However, such 

roles do not necessarily have a hands-on responsibility for ESA 

activities. 


LOGISTICS SUPPLY MANAGERS 

This group consists of logistic specialists. Comprising managers and 

supervisors, they are not involved in the physical handling of items, 

but they manage their storage, handling and distribution, and have 

traditionally started their career through internal specialist training 

regimes. Their responsibilities include ensuring that sufficient 

136

storage is allocated to particular items; that building licences are 

adhered to; that all health and safety records are kept; and for 

allocating workloads and planning outload/inload requirements. 

They are responsible for the stock correctness, accounting and 

security. They are also responsible for ensuring that in-store 

maintenance is followed (humidity indicator checks, downgrading 

etc) and for the serviceability of their holdings. Due to the potentially 

dangerous nature of the products, the work is heavily regulated and 

managerial staff need to ensure that the different categories of 

munitions are handled, stored and moved correctly, according to the 

designated risk, and that general departmental regulations are 

adhered to. 

In Central Distribution Centres, road and rail vehicles are loaded and 

unloaded under the supervision of a Logistic Manager who is 

normally trained to Government Authorized Explosive 

Representative (GAER) or AR standards. His responsibilities are 

similar to those of the Jetty Manager in that he has to meet licence 

and segregation constraints for both the facility and for the vehicles. 

Logistic staff are responsible for the safe loading and unloading of 

road and rail vehicles in accordance with MoD weapons-specific 

requirements and appropriate legislation such as ADR and CER. 

Munitions-specific Safe Systems of Work must also be applied. 

These duties also include ensuring that the correct paperwork is 

completed as required by the legislation. A clear understanding of 

the natures and risks of specific munitions handling requirements is 

essential for roles in Central Distribution Centres. 

JETTY MANAGER 

Depending on the location, the Jetty Manager is responsible for 

ammunitioning and de-ammunitioning HM ships/solid support Royal 

Fleet Auxiliaries (RFAs) including loading lighters and loading and 

unloading commercial ships. In general, the Jetty Manager is 

responsible for planning and arranging the delivery and collection of 

stores in the correct sequence. He is responsible for ensuring that 

the licence limit for the jetty (including the ship and any lighters 

involved) is not exceeded and that the correct segregation of 

munitions explosive Hazard Classes on the jetty or lighter is 

complied with. He is also responsible for the correct handling of 

munitions during jetty operations. For some areas, particularly Naval 

Armaments Vessels (NAVs), he plans the stowage/segregation 

layout and loading plan including shoring requirements and 

displacement. He is accountable overall for safety and compliance 

with Queen’s Harbour and MoD regulations, and International 

Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Safe Systems of Work. He is a 

137

Government Authorized Explosive Representative (GAER) A clear 

understanding of the natures and risks of specific munitions handling 

requirements is essential for this role. 

For ammunitioning and de-ammunitioning HM ships/RFAs by lighter, 

the harbour party ensures the correct placement and sequencing for 

specific munition loading areas on the receiving ship. The harbour 

party also ensures the correct item-specific delivery/return 

configuration using the correct equipment. The Harbour Party is also 

responsible for general safety including explosive safety with 

particular responsibilities for lighter Net Explosive Quantity (NEQ) 

load segregation and integrity for movement by sea. 

Jetty Managers are also employed in other business areas in the 

MoD – namely, the Warships Support Agency and the DLO which 

also operates jetties and licensed buoys 

WAREHOUSE OPERATOR 

Warehouse Operators are required to load and unload vehicles 

either manually, or using fork lift trucks or cranes, and to maintain the 

appropriate standards of health and safety, housekeeping and 

access within the warehouse. This might involve ensuring the 

compatibility of explosive products; ensuring that weight limits are 

not exceeded; helping to ensure that the maximum limit of the 

number of people in any space is not exceeded; ensuring that the 

correct materials are loaded onto the vehicles and that the correct 

paperwork is completed according to the nature of the Explosives 

Licence. The work also includes segregation of different stock 

natures, batches and standards; the proper stock location and 

identification; palletization of stocks; reconfiguration of pallets and 

loads to meet consignments; re-marking packages and carrying out 

general checks to ensure the integrity of stocks. 

DRIVER 

If carrying a terrorist-attractive load, in both the UK and in the EU, 

ADR drivers carrying explosives loads are required to work with 

another for reasons of safety and security. Both drivers and their 

mates are required to have successfully completed the ADR course 

in addition to having obtained the appropriate category of driving 

licence. Drivers need to understand the vehicle load storage 

requirements and to draw up a stowage plan if required (although 

this is often done by others). They must secure the load, drive the 

vehicle and unload on arrival at the destination. For other explosive 

loads, there is a general security reason to ensure that the load is 

attended at all times while parked. In such instanced, and 

138

depending upon the load content, the escort must be ADR-trained, or 

trained to a certain level (the lowest being a “competent person”). 

Drivers are also employed in other parts of the MoD. 

EXPLOSIVES PROCESSING STAFF 

This group includes Managers, Supervisors, Chargehands and 

Process Operators. Managers rarely handle explosives but have 

traditionally started their career in this sort of trade. Depending upon 

the nature of the task and the company’s business, these roles are 

responsible for a variety of activities using explosive materials ie high 

explosives, pyrotechnic flares and liquid fuel. They may carry out 

activities including assembly, integration, test and disposal of 

explosive materials and components. Due to the sensitiveness of 

the materials and the need to account for the location of explosive 

materials, all these roles require a high degree of precision and 

many require skills of manual dexterity. Some companies provide 

focused formal and certificated in-house explosives training for these 

roles. 

WEAPONS ASSEMBLY TECHNICIANS 

The main disciplines are mechanical and electrical (both being ESAtrained). 

Besides undertaking the explosive AI&T tasks, technicians 

must be fully aware of their configuration management 

responsibilities to ensure that the munitions comprising many “safe 

life” components and correctly assembled using the correct software 

and sophisticated automatic test equipment. Technicians are also 

responsible for ensuring that the correct documentation is 

completed. 

ROYAL NAVY 

The following three roles describe the explosives-related 

responsibilities of people on every RN vessel at sea. All these roles 

are fulfilled in combination with other responsibilities. 

WEAPONS ENGINEER OFFICER/EXPLOSIVES RESPONSIBLE OFFICER 

Reporting to the Captain, this role holds the higher management 

responsibility and the accountable officer at sea for the safe handling 

and storage of explosives. Role-holders need a clear understanding 

of the characteristics and effects of explosives as they will be 

generating local orders, interpreting legislation, and implementing 

139

emergency procedures. Trained in-service to in-service standards, 

this role provides advice and guidance to more junior staff. 

OFFICER OF THE QUARTER (SENIOR RATE) 

Reporting to the Weapons Engineer Officer, this hands-on role is 

responsible for the correct maintenance of magazines and for fire 

fighting equipment. On larger ships, he may drive fork-lift trucks and 

use other moving equipment, delivering explosives to the weapons 

and handing over to the user of the ammunition or to the hangar door 

in the case of aircraft. He accounts for the issue and receipt of 

unused ammunition, and prepares weapons for firing (eg fitting fins, 

fuzes and bombtails). He is also responsible for carrying out 

inspections and completing the associated paperwork. As other 

roles, this role is trained in-service to in-service standards. 

JUNIOR RATE 

Also reporting through the chain of command to the Weapons 

Engineer Officer, this role is responsible for routine maintenance 

tasks in the magazine such as assisting in preparing the weapons, 

using lifting equipment and delivering them to the user. This role is 

trained in-service to in-service standards and needs a basic 

understanding of the relevant storage and handling regulations. 




TRAINERS 

Ranging from Lt Commander to WO1/Petty Officer ranks, trainers 

use drill weapons ie without hazardous components. They need a 

detailed knowledge and understanding of legislation and its 

implications as they are a resource for operational personnel who 

seek their advice to clarify rules and regulations. 

ROYAL MARINES 

There are two relevant roles in the Royal Marines: Armourer 

(responsible for small arms and rifles) and Assault Engineer. The 

responsibilities of these roles relate directly to army roles. 

SHORE ESTABLISHMENTS 

140

Equivalent to Officers of the Quarter on board ship, roles in shore 

establishments include responsibilities for small arms and magazines 

in ensuring compliance with regulations. These roles are fulfilled in 

combination with other responsibilities. 

WATERFRONT SUPPORT ORGANIZATION (FLEET) 

The Waterfront Support Organization act as a quality assurance 

organization for the fleet’s ships, for example, ensuring that periodic 

inspections are implemented, and that the correct standards are 

maintained in the magazine and storage functions. Although largely 

administrative, staff in these roles need a clear and detailed 

knowledge of the procedures and regulations, the characteristics, 

effects and hazard of explosives. 

ARMY 

Although known by a different nomenclature, many of the roles in the 

Field Army equate to those in the Royal Navy. 

QUARTERMASTER (QM) 

Located in a Regiment, and usually a Major or a Captain, the QM is 

responsible to the Commanding Officer (CO) for all aspects of 

ammunition accounting, storage, movement and use. This role holds 

the higher management responsibility for the safe handling and 

storage of explosives. Role-holders need a clear understanding of 

the characteristics and effects of explosives as they will be 

generating, promulgating and enforcing unit orders, interpreting 

legislation, and implementing emergency procedures. Trained inservice 

to in-service standards, this role provides advice and 

guidance to more junior staff. 

MOTOR TRANSPORT OFFICER (MTO) 

This role is responsible to the CO for ensuring that all vehicles used 

to convey ammunition and explosives are suitable for the purpose. 

REGIMENTAL QUARTERMASTER SERGEANT (RQMS) 

Ranked at WO2 and reporting to the Quartermaster, this hands-on 

role is responsible for the correct maintenance of magazines and for 

fire fighting equipment. He accounts for the issue and receipt of 

unused ammunition, and is also responsible for carrying out 

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inspections and completing the associated paperwork. As other 

roles, this role is trained in-service to in-service standards. 

AMMUNITION STOREMAN 

Usually a Corporal, and also reporting through the chain of command 

to the Quartermaster, this role is responsible for routine maintenance 

tasks in the magazine such as assisting in preparing munitions for 

issue, using lifting equipment and delivering them to the user. This 

role is trained in-service to in-service standards and needs a basic 

understanding of the relevant storage and handling regulations. 

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE 

Located in every sub-unit of every Regiment, the Authorized 

Representative (usually a Junior Non-Commissioned Officer (JNCO) 

is a legislative requirement and is duly trained by the competent 

authority to supervise the conveyance, loading and offloading of 

ammunition and explosives. 




TRAINERS 

Ranging from Major to senior NCO ranks, trainers use drill and live 

weapons. They need a detailed knowledge and understanding of 

legislation and its implications as they are a resource for operational 

personnel who seek their advice to clarify rules and regulations. 

DRIVERS 

Drivers may be located in their own units, or in the Transport 

Regiment of in the Supply Regiment. Every driver transporting 

ammunition must be HAZMAT-trained. Briefed by the Authorized 

Representative, drivers are responsible for following their route plan 

to reach the destination by the optimum method. They ensure the 

stability of the load periodically and carry out checks to ensure that 

the load remains in good order. 

In addition to the Field Army structure described above, there are 

other specialist supporting roles. 

AMMUNITION TECHNICAL OFFICER (ATO) 

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Ranking from Captain to Colonel, Ammunition Technical Officers 

(ATOs) are responsible for planning and managing ammunition 

processes including inspection, modification, repair and disposal of 

land service ammunition. They manage the technical elements of 

proof firings including guided weapons; investigate ammunition 

accidents, defects and performance failures; execute technical and 

supply management of global ammunition stocks; plan and conduct 

battlefield simulations; plan and conduct explosives demonstrations; 

inspect unit or depot ammunition storage, infrastructure and stocks; 

plan, site, manage and license ammunition and explosives storage in 

the base, in transit and in the field. They manage HAZMAT relating 

to explosives, and conduct risk assessments for all aspects of 

ammunition management and explosives engineering. 

ATOs undergo 18 months’ training to degree standard at the Royal 

Military College of Science Shrivenham and the Army School of 

Ammunition. They may also subsequently undertake additional 

specialist training. 

ATOs may be seconded to other units or organizations to carry out 

particular projects. 

AMMUNITION TECHNICIAN (AT) 

Ranking from Lance Corporal to WO1, ATs support ATOs in 

planning and managing ammunition processes including inspection, 

modification, repair and disposal of land service ammunition. They 

supervise the technical elements of proof firings including guided 

weapons; investigate ammunition accidents, defects and 

performance failures; assist in quality, technical and supply 

management of global ammunition stocks; plan and conduct 

battlefield simulations; plan and conduct explosives demonstrations; 

inspect unit or depot ammunition storage, infrastructure and stocks; 

plan, site, manage and license ammunition and explosives storage in 

the base, in transit and in the field. They manage HAZMAT relating 

to explosives, and conduct risk assessments for all aspects of 

ammunition management and explosives engineering. 

ATs undergo 6 months’ training at the Army School of Ammunition. 

Following a 2 year period, ATs complete a further 5 months 

upgrading training. 

ATs may be seconded to other units or organizations to carry out 

particular ammunition-related tasks. They may also be embedded 

within another organization’s structure, such as the Royal Marines 

where a small team is incorporated into the Commando Logistics 

Regiment. 

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Most explosives-related functions within the RAF are carried out 

within RAF engineering, whether by Engineer offices or by 

Armament Trade personnel. Logistics functions are carried out 

within the Supply and Engineering areas (including Mechanical 

Transport). Additionally, RAF Regiment personnel conduct ranges 

for Small Arms and other Battlefield Simulation Training. Civilians 

are employed to carry out related duties on many units, particularly in 

the Mechanical Transport Driver role. 

RAF ENGINEER OFFICERS 

Depending upon their appointment and seniority, RAF Engineer 

Officers authorize, formulate and/or influence policy regarding 

explosives safety matters and produce the related publications. 

They also provide a strategic overview of trends and forthcoming 

requirements. In addition, they may be responsible for providing 

subject matter expertise, risk assessment, intelligence work, 

procurement, whole life management and disposal of explosivesrelated 

systems. They are also responsible for the day-to-day 

management of all personnel under their command, including 

management of related quality issues and training, authorization, 

management and supervision of all the related technical activity. 

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ARMAMENT TRADE JUNIOR MANAGERS 

Usually of Warrant Officer, Flight Sergeant and Chief Technician 

ranks, Armament Trade Junior Managers are experienced 

supervisors and technicians. They carry out day-to-day 

management of specialist armament tasks, and often have specific 

responsibilities for safety and training delegated to them. Depending 

upon their appointment, they may also assist in the formulation and 

implementation of policy. 

ARMAMENT TRADE SUPERVISORS 

Chief Technicians, Sergeants, Corporals and Junior Technicians 

may carry out the differing supervisory roles in their specialist 

technical area depending upon their appointment. This may include 

responsibilities for training and independent and supervisory checks 

of technical work carried out depending upon their rank. All will be 

technicians and may be producers as well as supervisors or 

independent checkers. 

ARMAMENT TRADE OPERATOR 

Senior Aircraftmen fill Armament Trade Operator and technician 

roles. They will be supervised for most tasks. Depending upon their 

appointment, they may be responsible for storage, maintenance, 

preparation, loading an disposal of weapons and explosive 

components including ejection seats, weapons carriers and 

launchers, aircraft guns and small arms. 




TRAINERS AND ADMIN TRAINERS 

Trainers and Admin Trainers may be required to educate armament 

personnel from first principles to enable them to enter the trade. This 

requires a knowledge and understanding, and often experience of 

explosives and their modes of operation, including safety 

considerations. 

RANGE SAFETY OFFICER/RANGE CONDUCTING OFFICER/DEMOLITION 

SAFETY OFFICER 

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Range work may be carried out for trials and operational training 

exercises. Where this involves explosives, selected personnel have 

to be appropriately qualified in best practice, safe procedures and 

the emergency drills. Air Traffic Control, Royal Air Force Regiment, 

Engineering and other personnel including Air Training Corps and 

Reserves are affected by this requirement. 

LOGISTICS ROLES 

Management and implementation of logistics policies rests with the 

engineer and supply specializations of the RAF. All personnel 

involved in the storage, air and road transportation of explosives 

have to be appropriately qualified. Movements Officers (usually of 

supply and engineering specializations), Supply Officers and all 

personnel who drive vehicles containing explosives natures must 

meet the appropriate requirements. 

OTHER ROLES 

Survival equipment such as life vests and dinghies containing 

explosive gas generators are maintained by Survival Equipment 

personnel. However, all related explosives are inspected regularly 

during their storage and maintenance cycles by armament 

personnel. 

Air Traffic Control personnel store and use flares and other 

cartridges for emergency and birdscaring purposes. Again, the items 

used are inspected regularly by armament personnel. 

DEFENCE RESEARCH AND TEST AND EVALUATION 

EXPLOSIVES CUSTODIAN 

The Explosives Custodian is the “owner” of the explosive stock who 

takes responsibility for ensuring that it is safe before it enters the 

magazine. This role is responsible for resolving issues in storage, 

and for authorizing that it is safe to transport. All explosives-related 

queries are directed to the Explosives Custodian who holds the 

Hazard Data Sheet, and re-tests the stock as required to maintain its 

currency, selecting samples for testing if necessary. In addition to 

technical responsibilities, this role carries managerial responsibilities 

in administering the chargehands. 

TRIALS OFFICER/MANAGER 

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The Trials Officer/Manager is responsible for the planning and 

execution of experimental trials to assure the fitness for purpose of 

weapons and/or ammunition in a safe manner. The Trials Officer 

might simultaneously hold responsibilities as the Firing Officer or he 

might be a project manager or scientist. The Trials Officer draws up 

the trial plan; ensures a peer review of the plan is carried out; 

ensures the plan is approved; that it contains hazard evaluation 

sheets; that a risk assessment has been carried out; that roles and 

responsibilities have been identified, and takes overall accountability 

for the safe receipt of explosives and conduct of the experiment. 

The Trials Officer/Manager analyses information provided by the 

Firing Officer and presents the performance data to customers and 

makes ballistic calculations to enable larger scale firings. For those 

Trials Officers/Managers involved in homeland security, the analysis 

might be of terrorist devices to determine its functioning and 

researching new materials, methods and technologies to identify 

potential terrorist explosive devices. Those carrying out testing also 

need to know how to deal with failed munitions (see Operations 

under Disposal). Trials Officers/Managers need to be formally trained 

and certified by a nominated person. Historically, Trials 

Officers/Managers have undergone recognized training course for 

military personnel (the main source of recruitment) combined with 

on–the-job experience. 

FIRING OFFICER 

The Firing Officer is responsible for carrying out research 

experiments to test outputs in different ways to verify the end effect. 

This involves connecting explosives to power sources and setting off 

explosions on trial ranges. These responsibilities are usually 

combined with other responsibilities – either scientific or technical – 

which may or may not involve explosives. The Firing Officer 

receives delivery of the explosives from the magazine, lays out the 

experiments on the range or in a firing facility and ensures that that 

they are working to an approved trial plan (they may have drawn up 

the trial plan themselves or this may have been done by others). 

The trials will cover both conventional and improvised explosives (ie 

the raw ingredients). No qualifications are required for this role and 

appropriate training is carried out in-house. 

RESEARCHER 

Explosives researchers may be working either with explosives, or 

technologies and equipments using explosives (eg explosives 

detection equipment). Researchers need to be aware of the risks 

involved if they have not carried out the trial risk assessment 

147

themselves. To carry out experiments, they need to develop a 

hypothesis, devise a suitable experiment, execute the experiment 

plan (see Trials Office/Manager above) and make their report. To 

research energetic materials, a minimum of a first degree in a 

science discipline might be appropriate – most likely in a physical 

science. A post graduate award such as those offered at Cranfield 

University at the RMCS might be appropriate for some research jobs 

to ensure that research workers have the knowledge and skills to 

conduct explosives research safely. In-house training is then carried 

out. 

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LABORATORY TECHNICIAN 

There are two levels of laboratory technician in defence research 

either of whom might assist on the trials range. The junior laboratory 

technician carries out routine tasks under the direction of the 

researcher, and needs only a basic understanding of explosives. 

Junior laboratory technicians normally hold an NVQ or HNC/D in 

chemistry or a related discipline. 

A senior laboratory technician provides support to researchers or trial 

teams by undertaking a wide range of activities involving explosives. 

Such technicians will usually have a detailed knowledge of 

explosives and their handling procedures. Senior technicians would 

often work without detailed supervision and will have responsibilities 

for supervising junior staff. They would normally be qualified with an 

N/SVQ, an HNC/D or would hold a higher degree. 

OTHER TEST-RELATED ROLES 

In some defence research establishments, there are additional 

hierarchical roles relating to testing weapons and ammunition. The 

following five roles have been identified, each assisting in carrying 

out safety checks on others’ work: 

LEADING HAND: Traditionally recruited from the military at WO2 

level, this role delivers the ammunition, ensures the range is safe, 

and selects an appropriate team according to the mix of 

competencies required. Training is similar to that of Gun Captain in 

that recruits undergo 9 months’ in-house training before operating 

without supervision after a 2-year period following completion of 

training. 

GUN CAPTAIN: This role prepares the gun for firing, placing the barrel 

according to the requirements for direction, elevation and distance in 

order to hit the target, and pulls the lanyard or operates the remote 

firing box. Usually with a military background, this role is already 

likely to have extensive military training and experience. Gun 

captains undergo 9 months’ in-house training before operating 

without supervision after a 2-year period following completion of 

training. 

RANGE WORKER: The Range Worker carries ammunition, sets up 

the gun cradle (eg bolting it in place), corrects elevation, and reports 

the gun as fit for purpose. He also dismantles the gun, and 

completes the documentation. No formal qualifications are required, 

and in-house training is given. 

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AMMUNITION INSPECTOR: This role is responsible for checking the 

UN Hazard Divisions to ensure the compatibility between different 

groups, types and quantities of explosives. He will also draw up 

storage plans, and acts as the interface between the depot and 

transport. The Ammunition Inspector is responsible for ensuring the 

correct receipt of explosives, and correct deliveries to the correct 

destination without damage. He will require IT skills to complete 

shipment documentation and is trained in-house in both explosives 

and supervisory skills to manage the ammunition workers. 

AMMUNITION WORKER: This warehousing-type of role is responsible 

for moving ammunition around in the magazine, issuing, stock-taking 

and checking ammunition. Responsible for receiving ammunition, 

this role also makes up or adjusts propellant charges. No formal 

qualifications are required, and in-house training is given. 

OTHER ROLES 

All new explosives must be assessed to define their hazards (and 

therefore, their response as a material). Small Scale Hazard Tests 

provide the evidence for safety certification to enable the material to 

be manufactured, transported, used, and disposed of. Those 

carrying out these tests and those involved in manufacturing, 

transport, use and disposal who need to be able to interpret the 

certificate need to understand the meaning of the test results. They 

therefore need to have an understanding of the characteristics of 

explosives and appreciate their effects. 

More senior personnel who are responsible for signing off risk 

assessments and ensuring that work has been carried out with due 

diligence also require a clear scientific understanding of the 

characteristics and potential risks of explosives. 


DESIGN ENGINEERS 

Qualified to HND or BSc level in an engineering discipline (usually 

mechanical engineering), Design Engineers devise solutions to 

customers’ problems that will deliver their objectives. As there is no 

nationally available training or qualification route, these roles are 

trained in-house and through Leafield’s courses at Cranfield 

University at the RMCS to be explosives engineers. Typical tasks for 

which design engineers are responsible are designs of 

pyromechanisms and assemblies such as safety and arming units 

and command break-up units for missiles using mathematical 

150

models on in-house developed software from which devices can be 

manufactured, tested and – if necessary – refined. 

ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING STAFF 

Environmental testing staff are responsible for both destructive and 

non-destructive testing and proofing final products, using centrifuges, 

ovens and other testing methods to ensure that the customer’s 

procurement quality specifications have been met. An ONC or HNC 

in an engineering discipline is generally a requirement. Although as 

the testing programme is prescribed (by the manager in conjunction 

with the customer), and implemented by the technician, these 

responsibilities could be learned by experience and in-house training 

including explosives training. 

PROJECT MANAGERS 

Project managers represent the interface between the customer and 

the company during the development and production phases. They 

are involved in progress-chasing to ensure that the requirement is 

met within budget and timescale. Requirements vary from degrees 

to A levels. However, emphasis is placed upon experience in 

engineering and/or production. Appropriate explosives training is 

also necessary and would be provided in-house and through 

Leafield’s courses at Cranfield University at RMCS. 

WEAPONS ASSEMBLY TECHNICIANS 

This role carries out a variety of assembly tasks such as inserting 

explosive devices into remotely controlled robots used by military 

personnel. For military contracts, work is carried out to AQAP101 

standards and documented according to this standard’s procedures. 

EXPLOSIVES PRODUCTION STAFF 

This group includes Managers, Supervisors, Chargehands and 

Process Operators. Managers rarely handle explosives but have 

traditionally started their career in this sort of trade. Depending upon 

the nature of the task and the company’s business, these roles are 

responsible for a variety of activities using explosive materials ie high 

explosives, pyrotechnic powder and gun propellants. They may 

carry out activities including weighing gunpowder and sewing it into 

bags; filling cartridges or other receptacles to specified levels; 

assembly of pyromechanisms; gauging post-assembly; stemming 

and pelleting high explosives; inserting detonators; soldering; and 

packing into specified packages. Due to the sensitiveness of the 

151

materials and the need to account for the location of explosive 

materials, all these roles require a high degree of precision and 

many require skills of manual dexterity. Some companies provide 

focused formal and certificated in-house explosives training for these 

roles. 

STORES STAFF/MAGAZINE ATTENDANTS 

With two levels of accountability (Supervisor and Storemen), these 

roles are broadly the same as those described under Transport, 

Distribution and Storage and exist in every industry where explosives 

are stored. As for Explosives Production staff, some companies 

provide focused formal and certificated in-house explosives training 

for these roles. 

OTHER ROLES 

Defence manufacturing includes a number of roles that require a 

clear understanding of the characteristics and effects of explosives 

together with a detailed knowledge of the procedures by which they 

should be handled, the consequences of risk and the terms of the 

Explosives Licence. However, these groups do not themselves 

handle explosives. These groups include Drawing Office staff, 

Marketing staff, Production Engineers, Production Control staff and 

Purchasing staff. Some companies provide in-house explosives 

training for these roles. 

COAL MINING 

EXPLOSIVES SUPERVISOR (OPEN-CAST MINE) 

This role relates directly to that of the Explosive Supervisor of a 

quarry. Formerly known as Blast Designers, it is the Explosives 

Supervisor who analyses rock type (usually by experience), and 

identifies faults from site investigations already carried out by 

Engineering Geologists. Explosives Supervisors are responsible for 

blast planning and ensuring that the blast is carried out to 

specification. 

It is a requirement that Explosives Supervisors must have worked as 

Shotfirers prior to attending the 2-day training module and 4-day 

explosives courses. The 3 final examinations will qualify them as 

Explosives Supervisors. 

SHOTFIRER (OPEN-CAST MINE) 

152

This role relates directly to that of the Shotfirer in a quarry. Entrants 

to the industry typically begin their career as a machine operator 

before working as a Trainee Shotfirer for a period of months or 

years. Candidates must then complete the Shotfiring qualification, 

which is followed by a further period of practical experience under 

the supervision of an experienced Shotfirer before a final 

appointment can be made. The training programme includes basic 

geography, geology, chemistry, and some survey techniques (how to 

carry out a phase profile). It also provides some science of 

explosives and basic blast design. 

153

OTHER ROLES (OPEN-CAST MINE) 

A small number of people exist in the quarrying industry who handle 

explosives including the Explosives Storeman and the Shotfirer’s 

helper. Unlike Explosives Storemen in quarries, in open-cast mines, 

it is not necessary to be qualified as a Shotfirer. There may be 

others licensed to transport, but as the use of mobile multi-blend 

vehicles increases, this is likely to decrease the need for open-cast 

mining staff to transport (except within the boundaries of the mine). 

COMMAND SUPERVISOR (DEEP MINE) 

Deep mine Command Supervisors are responsible for a 

geographical area and all the personnel and equipment within that 

area. They carry out any shotfiring underground, oversee the 

storage of explosives, and carry them to the location where they will 

be used. They place, supervise, and detonate explosives and 

oversee drilling operations. They deal with misfires, and carry out 

investigations. Command Supervisors are responsible for ensuring 

that all personnel follow safety processes and documents their 

reports. Command Supervisors are qualified through the statutory 

MQB scheme by attending the theoretical course delivered by Mines 

Rescue and Doncaster College, and completing 20 days’ practical 

work under supervision. 

QUARRYING 

EXPLOSIVES SUPERVISORS 

This role relates directly to that of the Explosive Supervisor in an 

open-cast mine. Formerly known as Blast Designers, it is the 

Explosives Supervisor who analyses rock type (usually by 

experience), and identifies faults from site investigations already 

carried out by Engineering Geologists. Explosives Supervisors are 

responsible for blast planning and ensuring that the blast is carried 

out to specification. Their primary role under law is their 

responsibility for the day to day work with explosives in the quarry. 

It is a requirement that Explosives Supervisors be a qualified 

Shotfirer prior to attending the 4-day Explosives Supervisor course. 

The 3 final examinations will qualify them as Explosives Supervisors. 

SHOTFIRERS 

154

This role relates directly to that of the Explosive Supervisor in an 

open-cast mine. Entrants to the industry typically begin their career 

as a machine operator before working as a Trainee Shotfirer for a 

period of months or years. Candidates must then complete the 

Shotfiring qualification, which is followed by a further period of 

practical experience under the supervision of an experienced 

Shotfirer before a final appointment can be made. The training 

programme includes drilling techniques, loading of shotholes, face 

profiling, blast design, characteristics of explosives, handling of 

explosives, methods initiation, mixing of explosives on site, storage 

of explosives, record keeping etc. 

OTHER QUARRYING ROLES 

A small number of people exist in the quarrying industry who handle 

explosives including the Explosives Storeman (who must have 

qualified as a Shotfirer) and the Shotfirer’s helper. There may be 

others licensed to transport, but as the use of mobile multi-blend 

vehicles increases, this is likely to decrease the need for quarry staff 

to transport (except within the boundaries of the quarry). 


SERVICE SUPERVISORS 

Relating to the Explosives Supervisor in other industries, as an 

example, Service Supervisors work in Tubing-Conveyed Perforating 

(TCP). This role involves pre-job planning, assisting with the task 

design and estimating the resources required. Service Supervisors 

ensure that the right equipment is in place; assemble perforating 

equipment; oversee the run into the well, ensuring that it is at the 

correct depth. They initiate the perforating guns; recover spent guns 

from the well; deal with misfires; rectifying faults; and are responsible 

for returning unused explosives to the base in a safe manner. 

Qualified to the IExpE’s Code of Practice, this role undergoes incompany 

training that is specific to his job which includes supervised 

on-the-job experience for specific periods. 

Service Supervisors also exist in work areas other than TCP 

operations – in pipe recovery, platform dismantling and sub-sea EOD 

operations. However, the responsibilities are broadly similar and the 

same training is completed. 

ONSHORE LOGISTICS 

155

A range of shore-based staff support offshore operations by 

importing explosives; shipping explosives to the rigs; storing them 

onshore; and obtaining the necessary licences. These roles 

combine administrative responsibilities with the movement of 

explosives. 

156

OTHER ROLES 

Managerial roles also exist that require an understanding of the 

characteristics and effects of explosives but do not necessarily 

handle them. These roles are concerned with liaising with 

customers, assigning equipment and personnel to jobs; and coordinating 

the work offshore with the client onshore. To carry out 

these responsibilities, role-holders need a sound background in 

explosives and their application in the oil and gas industry as well as 

knowledge of the international shipping import/export business. 


EXPLOSIVES TECHNOLOGISTS 

Usually qualified with a first degree in Chemistry, this role is 

responsible for mixing, casting and melting chemicals and explosive 

materials for development and formulation purposes. This role often 

carries a Quality Assurance responsibility. 

MULTI-BLEND VEHICLE DRIVERS 

Drivers of multi-blend vehicles must be both HGV-qualified and 

trained to mix different chemicals to form explosives for the quarrying 

market. For reasons of safety, the driver is always accompanied by 

a mate who has also been trained in the chemical blending process. 

Both roles are trained to ADR standards. 

OTHER ROLES 

Although the sales forces of explosives manufacturers do not handle 

explosives, they need specialist training to understand the 

characteristics and effects of their products. No formal qualifications 

are needed, and advertised posts often attract ex-regulars. 

Explosives manufacturers also have storage, distribution and 

transport functions. These logistics roles are described under the 

relevant headings in this section. 

DISPOSAL 

The following roles were identified by the Occupational Map in 

Munition Clearance in 2001. 

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STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT 

Strategic management will usually be the responsibility of a senior 

military officer or civil servant. This role is generic in its functions of 

strategy design and development. Depending upon the location 

within the sector of such an individual, this appointment may have a 

scientific or engineering background – this is not necessary at this 

level. This role is beyond the scope of any technically-focused 

qualification in munition clearance. 

In the humanitarian mine action field, the Programme Project 

Manager of a Mine Action Centre may equate to a chief executive of 

a commercial company and fulfils the role of strategist at local level. 

Overall, the breakdown of roles relates to this area where the UN 

system is linked to the British military system. However, the 

perceptions of strategic and operational responsibilities may vary 

according to the scale of the project and the extent of global or local 

perspectives. The strategist may therefore equate more realistically 

to an operational role. Commercial contractors are more likely to 

regard their MD/CE as the strategist overall. 

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT 

In the military environment, operational roles are largely fulfilled by 

ranks at Major/Captain level and their equivalents in the RN and 

RAF. Decisions at this level are mainly generic but include some 

level of technical knowledge in the allocation and deployment of 

resources. Some aspects of this role – ie larger scale programme 

and operations planning – may be within scope of a higher level (ie 

level 4) N/SVQ in munition clearance. However, those involved 

should be already suitably trained in MC work. 

In the RN, each of the three diving groups is commanded by a 

Lieutenant Commander. The RAF is more complex with Squadron 

Leaders commanding 5131 (BD) and the Operations and Plans and 

Policy Departments of the RAF MC function plus other qualified 

personnel on major operating bases commended via the armament 

engineering function. 

IN DSTL, this function is carried out by Group Leaders and possibly 

also Chief Technologists. In QinetiQ (formerly DERA), the Technical 

Manager role is unusual in the strength and focus of his technical 

role in addition to providing generic strategic and day to day 

management. A chemist by training, this appointment would carry 

out technical assessments on approaches, technologies and 

158

equipment, and will have a strong input into the strategic direction of 

the department. 

Mine Action Centre project managers equate directly to the 

operational management role. These individuals are responsible for 

the day-to-day running of the project, operations, local liaison and 

medical issues. Within commercial contractors, they may also be a 

company’s operations manager. Such appointments should have 

munition clearance experience themselves or a clear understanding 

of relevant processes and issues. 

RESOURCING 

The relative importance of this role may be determined by the size of 

the organization concerned. It may therefore be a function of another 

role or it may be a full time role in itself. Concerned primarily with 

manpower planning requirements, this role may be seen as 

corporate support rather than technical. However, some degree of 

technical understanding may be needed in order to make effective 

resourcing decisions. Typically, in the military environment, major 

project cooping requirements may be determined at the 

Captain/Major level, although more junior ranks may be involved in 

detailed planning arrangements for specific field operations. 

The roles of strategic management, operational and resourcing are 

largely combined into one post in the Metropolitan Police. This role 

includes the local refinement of policy, operational direction, 

allocating resources and day-to-day management functions. 

Mine Action Centre Operational Officers equate directly to the 

resourcing/project manager function or they may simply be known as 

project managers. Commercial contractors prefer people with 

munition clearance experience in this role as they will be carrying out 

project resourcing tasks, ensuring that sufficient people, money, 

equipment, vehicles, supplies and so on are in place to enable 

project fulfilment. 

OPERATIONS 

Regardless of specialization, munition clearers tend to operate in 

pairs (the leader is commonly designated the “Number 1”, with his 

partner in a support role as the “Number 2”. 

In services EOD, all ranks conduct operations. Explosviie Ordnance 

Disposal Officers (EODOs), also known as Bomb Disposal Officers 

range in rank from Sergeant equivalent to Captain equivalent. 

Although Majors and equivalents and higher ranks have been trained 

159

to the same (advanced) level, they fulfil a strategic management role. 

Majors and equivalents command operational squadrons and by 

virtue of their technical and command experience, they are often 

designated Senior EOD Commanders (SEODC). 

Junior NCOs and other ranks complete a variety of elementary and 

intermediate training in order to equip themselves to support Bomb 

Disposal Officers (BDOs) in their operational duties. NCOs do not 

carry out the full range of EOD duties, but they may be authorized to 

carry out the destruction of munitions not exceeding a limit of 25Kg 

of high explosive. 

In DSTL and QinetiQ, this role is also split into two levels. Project 

managers and senior project managers perform hands-on tasks in 

addition to the full range of project management responsibilities ie 

building the business case, winning contracts, delivering projects and 

budget and project management. All have a technical scientific or 

engineering background. 

Team leaders and technicians deliver munition clearance projects. 

Team leaders require a practical background – although a technical 

or scientific background is not required. The focal point for team 

matters, the team leader is responsible for on-site matters and 

professional decisions needed to deliver tasks. The bulk of DSTL’s 

and QinetiQ’s practical work is carried out at this level. Possibly with 

a technical or scientific background, but certainly with a strong 

practical background, technicians carry out the day to munition 

clearance work. This role is multi-faceted and may involve 

demolition, collecting samples, operating specialist equipment, 

membership of a safety team or cryogenics. Trainee technicians are 

semi-skilled newcomers or those with a strong military background 

who carry out routine technical tasks under supervision. 

For specific, MACP police-led major incidents, 11 EOD Regiment 

RLC and 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD) tie into the police 

management network of Gold, Silver and Bronze levels of command. 

The application of this framework varies in rank according to the 

complexity, size and nature of each individual situation. 

Gold is the more strategic role that applies to major incidents only at 

home and abroad (for example, when a political consideration is 

involved). Silver is the operational role concerned with co-ordinating 

tactical operations with an incident’s resourcing. Bronze provides the 

direct tactical input to the operation. 

More normally, RLC IEDD teams throughout the world operate on 

the basis of a No 1 Operator and a No 2, and will deal with the whole 

incident, calling for more support in the event that it develops into a 

160

major incident. The No 1 Operator will range in rank from Sergeant 

to Captain. 

Both the RAF and the RN operate on the same basis as land-based 

services, both using a two-tier structure of the “No 1” function 

supported by the “No 2” role. The RAF delegates operational 

command to a range of junior officers and S/NCOs depending on the 

operation. The RN operates a similar policy. 

The Metropolitan Police also operates a pairing system in conducting 

field operations. Explosives Officers in the Metropolitan Police 

primarily fulfil IEDD functions. Each of 10 officers is a possible 

candidate for an N/SVQ in munition clearance. They are supported 

by 10 No 2s – usually specially trained police officers who are 

attached to the unit for 5 – 8 years. The No 2 role works on a par 

with RLC No 2s to support Explosives Officers in preparing and 

operating equipment, driving, and other support functions. 

Reporting to the Operations Officer of a Mine Action Centre, EOD 

Officers and Mine Clearance Officers equate to field operators both 

at team leader and team member level. 

The typical organization of roles in commercial contractors fits into 

the general pattern of a two-fold division of responsibilities. 

However, there is an added dimension in humanitarian mine 

clearance. Team leaders (experienced MC operators) – who may be 

responsible for a number of teams – are also responsible for training 

to build the capacity of local people (section leaders) so that the 

latter can take over both the practical issues and the “ownership” 

issues of a site on withdrawal of UN resources. Section leaders act 

as assistants to team leaders in much the same way as in the 

military environment. In some cases, there may be a third level of 

operator: site managers who are responsible for one site comprising 

around 8 people. 

OTHER MUNITION CLEARANCE-RELATED ROLES AND FUNCTIONS 

In addition to the five main roles identified, there are certain 

specialist roles reflecting the particular areas of expertise. 

DSTL’s and QinetiQ’s remits in munitions work encompass R&D 

responsibilities. This includes R&D into conventional munitions and 

the design and trial of technologies to destroy the object. Around 12 

people are involved in such work. A further 15 or so people are 

involved in trials conducting offices: disposing of munitions routinely, 

trialling the effectiveness of the munition itself (and disposing of it in 

the process). A further 30 – 40 people are involved in developing 

methods and technologies for locating objects. Such individuals 

161

need to have a clear technical understanding of munition-related 

work in order to arrive at effective solutions. This might involved the 

assessment of metal detectors and microwave technology. 

The Royal Logistic Corps and the Royal Engineers provide subject 

matter experts on secondment to other organizations and other parts 

of the Army in a defence intelligence role. This involves the 

exploitation of existing knowledge, the prediction and interpretation 

of trends. Requiring an MC technical background, around 15 ATOs 

from the Royal Logistics Corps and one Major from the Royal 

Engineers are currently engaged in such work. 

The RAF also provides subject matter experts on weapons platforms 

and missile systems for defence intelligence and other engineering 

roles. The 30+ RAF personnel serving in this role at any time pass 

an MoD-sponsored MSc in Systems or Explosives Engineering: they 

are RAF Engineer offices and thus have a professional technical or 

engineering background and first degree. 

This study identified two relevant roles in commercial companies: 

Explosives Supervisor and Explosives Assistant. These two roles 

correspond to the Operations personnel – albeit at a comparatively 

routine level – as described above. The Explosives Supervisors is 

responsible for the disposal of explosive material by detonation or 

burning. This role works with an assistant in a controlled 

environment. No formal qualifications are required. For safety 

reasons, the Explosives Assistant works with the Explosives 

Supervisor to carry out disposal tasks. No formal qualifications are 

required. 

FIREARMSPROOFING 

PROVERS 

Firearms provers view and gauge the weapons, set up the weapon in 

a jig, and fire it remotely using ammunition that they have made on 

site. Subsequent analysis then determines whether the weapon has 

successfully been proofed. No formal qualifications are required, 

and candidates are accepted on the basis of their suitability as 

determined by their previous experience and general aptitude. 

Those previously employed in jobs that enable candidates to gain a 

familiarity with weapons and relevant legislation (eg police, services) 

and who have a healthy respect for the potentially dangerous nature 

of the work are favoured. Training is carried out on the job, and 

experience is the key determining factor in assessing competence is 

experience. The judgement as to whether a weapon will pass its 

proof is highly subjective and heavily reliant on visual inspections. 

162

See Defence Research for descriptions of similar roles in proofing 

military ammunition and weapons. 


MOTOR VEHICLE TECHNICIANS 

Motor Vehicle Technicians are responsible for fitting explosive airbag 

units and pre-tensioners (which are also fitted with an explosive 

charge) that ensure that seatbelts and airbags work in unison and 

that any sudden tightening of the seatbelt does not set off the airbag 

with undue haste. Technicians undergo 2 days in-company training 

covering the storage, fitting and removal of airbag units. Faulty units 

are normally replaced rather than repaired. 

VEHICLE BODY REPAIRERS 

Whilst not directly involved with fitting airbags, Vehicle Body 

Repairers need to understand the functioning of the airbag as the 

unit is extremely sensitive and care must be taken when carrying out 

other repair work not to send the signal inadvertently that sets it off. 

DEMOLITION 

EXPLOSIVES ENGINEERS 

Trained in-house and through the IExpE courses and examinations 

to qualify in Shotfiring in the Construction Industry, Explosives 

Engineers carry out site surveys, design collapse mechanisms, and 

prepare method statements and risk assessments. They are 

responsible for planning and coordination, managing preparatory 

work (eg pre-weakening, drilling, fixing at source and protecting the 

surrounding area). Explosives Engineers fit detonators and carry out 

detonations, later liaising on clearance and re-occupation matters. 

No previous experience is needed but a minimum of 3 years’ 

experience (more usually, 5 years) is needed before this role can 

take the responsibility for charging and connecting. Competence is 

judged not so much by the number of years’ experience, but the 

variety of types of demolition work that have been carried out. 

EXPLOSIVES TECHNICIANS 

Also trained in-house and through the IExpE courses and 

examinations to qualify in Shotfiring in the Construction Industry. 

Explosives Technicians supervise preparatory work (such as cutting 

holes and ensuring the correct protection is in place), stems 

163

explosives and detonators. This role assists on the day a demolition 

is carried out (eg putting barriers in the right place outside the 

exclusion zone and supervising the post-event cleaning up). 

SENIOR EXPLOSIVES ENGINEERS 

This role’s responsibilities, qualifications route and career path are 

the same as those of the Explosive Engineer, and includes total 

accountability for the explosives both received and used. 


JETTY MANAGER 

For transport by sea, the Jetty Manager is responsible for receiving 

the cargo and holding it safely pending further transport. He carries 

out any necessary liaison locally, and with the relevant Port 

Authority, press and HSE inspectors. He is responsible for 

controlling the security force and is overall accountable for safety 

and compliance. 

CARGO SUPERINTENDENT 

The Cargo Superintendent identifies UN numbers, and based on 

this, draws up the ship’s stowage plan, taking compatibilities into 

account. He obtain the ship’s Master’s approval to the loading, or 

refers to a higher authority in the case of disputes, and is responsible 

for checking and testing the safety of lifting equipment. The Cargo 

Superintendent is overall accountable for the location of explosives 

at all times and for ensuring compliance with regulations. This role is 

therefore often also combined with that of the legally required berth 

Explosive Security Officer – a Port Authority requirement which also 

includes reporting the source of the training undertaken for this role. 

TALLYMAN 

Reporting to the Cargo Superintendent is the tallyman who counts 

the cargo and reports any anomalies including that of labelling to the 

Cargo Superintendent. 

FOREMAN STEVEDORE, RIGGER AND CARPENTER 

The Foreman Stevedore supervises loading operations according to 

the plan in conjunction with the ship’s Master, and secures the load 

in collaboration with the Foreman Rigger and Foreman Carpenter. 

He controls the workforce including hiring personnel (dockers, crane 

164

drivers and fork lift truck drivers). The Foreman Rigger and the 

Foreman Carpenter are responsible for securing the load with wood 

and wire. 

DOCKER 

Working under the supervision of the Foreman Stevedore, the 

dockers load and unload the ship both manually and using shorebased 

cranes. Fork lift trucks are also used both in the ship’s hold 

and dockside. The Port Authority is responsible for training the more 

junior levels of docker, and for training and certifying crane drivers. 

Fork lift truck drivers also need to be trained an certified. 

DRIVER 

If carrying a terrorist-attractive load, in both the UK and in Spain, 

drivers carrying explosives loads are required to work with another 

for safety reasons. Both drivers and their mates are required to have 

successfully completed the ADR course in addition to having 

obtained the appropriate category of driving licence. Drivers need to 

understand the storage requirements and to draw up a stowage plan 

if required (although this is often done by others). They must secure 

the load, drive the vehicle and unload on arrival at the destination. 

AIR TRANSPORT STAFF 

Each airline employs a Load Master who plans the stowage of 

explosive loads in agreement with the pilot. Freight handlers (see 

warehouse personnel descriptions below) load the cargo onto aircraft 

pallets (which have been built up in the warehouse) by fork lift trucks. 

Whilst the staff are typically employed by the airline, the roles and 

responsibilities are a direct parallel as for those employed in 

dockside functions. 

WAREHOUSE/PACKING MANAGER AND CHARGEHANDS 

Companies using explosives typically employ a hierarchy in the 

warehouse, consisting of a Warehouse/Packing Manager and 

Chargehands to ensure that sufficient storage is allocated for 

particular items; to ensure all health and safety records are kept; and 

to allocate workloads. Due to the potentially dangerous nature of the 

products, the industry is heavily regulated, and managerial staff need 

to ensure that the different categories of fireworks are handled 

correctly according to the designated risk. 

WAREHOUSE OPERATOR 

165

Warehouse Operators are required to load and unload vehicles 

either manually or using fork lift trucks, and to maintain the 

appropriate standards of health and safety. This might involve 

ensuring the compatibility of explosive products; ensuring that weight 

limits are not exceeded; helping to ensure that the maximum limit of 

the number of people in any space is not exceeded; or ensuring that 

the correct materials are loaded on vehicles and the correct 

paperwork is completed according to the nature of the Explosives 

Licence. Warehouse Operators need to carry out their duties with 

extreme care for – although few explosives are self-igniting – if an 

accident does occur, it can be fatal. A clear understanding of the 

nature of the Explosives Licence is crucial for this role and generic 

training courses are seen as lacking the necessary depth. Training 

is often carried out in-house, and some companies required 

magazine attendants as well as their drivers to achieve the ADR 

course. This course covers topics such as load hazards, handling, 

damage, compatibility, packaging markings, and explosives 

regulations. 

FIREWORKS 

SALES OCCUPATIONS 

Reporting to the Sales Director are Areas Sales Representatives and 

Major Account Managers. These functions are supported by Sales 

Order Processing staff. Little technical knowledge is needed by any 

of these functions beyond an understanding of product performance, 

use and the regulations affecting fireworks storage in retail premises 

(eg security, space, fire access etc) as this is considered a valueadded 

rather than a critical service to customers. 

See Transport, Distribution and Storage for more detail on 

warehousing functions. 

PACKING STAFF 

The Packing Supervisor is responsible for all the packing staff and 

general operatives and for ensuring all packing operations are 

correctly carried out (correctly packed and labelled according to the 

nature of the product). 

FIREWORKS QUALITY CONTROL FUNCTIONS 

A specialist activity, the Quality Control function’s requirements and 

methods are determined by BS7114. Reporting to the Quality 

Control Manager are Quality Control testers. Each tester needs a 

166

detailed knowledge and understanding of each product and its 

performance, of the British Standard itself and of Health and Safety 

procedures. No formal qualifications are needed but previous 

experience within the industry is essential. Each tester’s role is to 

set off fireworks, measure and record its performance to ensure that 

the promises as described on the label are true and accurate. 

Damaged or faulty fireworks must be disposed of, and the nature of 

disposal is determined by the nature of the product. Disposal is 

carried out by staff in combination with other duties according to 

clearly defined relevant legislation and guidance. 

FIREWORKS COMPANY DISPLAY MANAGERS 

This role’s responsibilities include the planning of displays to be 

carried out over the year, carrying out site reconnaissances and 

making risk assessments, and liaising with the relevant local 

authority. 

FIREWORKS SITE SUPERVISOR 

This role is responsible for the management of a particular display, 

and is the person with whom accountability rests. 

FIREWORKS DISPLAY OPERATORS 

This role carries out routine tasks under the instructions of the site 

supervisor such as transporting display materials, staking out the 

display area and positioning and storing materials. 


PYROTECHNICS SUPERVISOR 

The Pyrotechnics Supervisor is responsible for designing, 

organising, providing and constructing all controlled fire effects and 

explosions, simulated bullet effects and pyrotechnic effects, such as 

firework displays. They will work closely with the Producer, Director 

and Production Designer to breakdown the script and establish what 

pyrotechnic and fire effects are required. They will discuss set 

design, construction, location and timing in order to establish when 

pyrotechnic and fire effects are required, and to allow for the safe 

and controlled filming of such effects, taking all necessary health and 

safety precautions. Holding budgetary responsibility, it is their 

responsibility to oversee the preparation, construction and execution 

of the required pyrotechnic and fire effects, liaising with other 

167

departments as necessary, particularly when specific props or 

costumes are required for fire safety. It is also their responsibility to 

purchase, maintain and control suitable storage facilities for 

pyrotechnics and explosives, in line with Government legislation and 

health and safety regulations. Excellent health and safety knowledge 

and awareness is essential, along with the ability to make things 

work in a safe and controlled way. Technical knowledge of the use 

of firearms and explosives for creative effects is essential, along with 

a thorough knowledge of camera angles, lenses and visual effects 

when setting up pyrotechnic and fire effects shots. Considerable 

experience in special physical effects and pyrotechnics is required, 

and some formal training may be necessary. 

PYROTECHNICS SENIOR TECHNICIAN 

The Pyrotechnics Senior Technician is responsible for the operation, 

maintenance and construction of pyrotechnic and fire effects 

machinery, plant and devices as required. Tasks may range from 

setting up simple firework displays for live shows, to creating realistic 

car or building explosion scenes on set. They control all pyrotechnic 

and fire effects in the absence of the Pyrotechnics Supervisor and 

must be aware of production requirements. They liaise with the 

Director, Director of Photography, Pyrotechnics Supervisor, 1st AD 

and Company Insurers where necessary in order to ensure that all 

necessary safety requirements have been agreed and implemented 

and must ensure that health and safety regulations are adhered to by 

all personnel on set. Excellent Health and Safety knowledge and 

awareness is essential, along with the ability to make things work in 

a safe and controlled way. Technical knowledge of the use of 

firearms and explosives for creative effects is essential, along with a 

thorough knowledge of camera angles, lenses and visual effects 

when setting up pyrotechnic and fire effects shots. Considerable 

experience in special physical effects and pyrotechnics is required, 

and some formal training may be necessary. 

PYROTECHNICS TECHNICIAN 

A Pyrotechnics Technician assists the production of special effects 

for film and television programmes through the carefully controlled 

use of firearms and explosives. They assist with the preparation, 

construction, handling, operating, execution and maintenance of fire 

and pyrotechnics effects, ensuring the safety of personnel at all 

times. They liaise with other departments as necessary to ensure 

that all Health and Safety requirements have been implemented. 

Health and Safety awareness is or paramount importance and the 

ability to make things work in a safe and controlled way. Technical 

168

knowledge of the use of firearms and explosives for creative effects 

is essential. Considerable experience in special physical effects and 

pyrotechnics is required, and some formal training may be 

necessary. 

PYROTECHNICS TRAINEE/ASSISTANT 

A Pyrotechnics Trainee may only handle pyrotechnics under 

supervision at all times. They assist other pyrotechnics personnel in 

the preparation, construction and execution of pyrotechnic and fire 

effects, ensuring they are aware of all health and safety risks at all 

times. It is their responsibility to ensure that they are familiar with all 

materials and equipment used in the creation and operation of 

pyrotechnic and fire effects, keeping a comprehensive record of their 

work experience for the Pyrotechnics Supervisor. They must have a 

thorough knowledge of health and safety regulations. 

169

EDUCATION AND TRAINING ARRANGEMENTS 


MOD CIVILIANS 

OME experts in MoD agencies (DPA, DOSG and DLO) are largely 

scientist or engineers, holding qualifications ranging from HNC/D to 

first or Masters degrees, or PhDs. These staff may be appointed by 

open competition, or they might result from level transfers from the 

armed forces or the MoD. Trainees are recruited with a first degree 

in science or engineering and complete 6 months’ training at 

Cranfield University at the RMCS. 

Specialist development programmes are designed to meet individual 

needs. More often, staff attend whichever short course run by 

Cranfield University at the RMCS is appropriate to their need, 

supplemented by attending technical conferences both in the UK and 

abroad. 

In some parts of the MoD, civilian staff may attend a basic OME 

awareness day, run by the local Safety Officer. However, the vast 

majority of specialist training is carried out through on the job training 

or rarely, by the manufacturer. There is no set Departmental 

standard or curriculum. 

ROYAL NAVY 

New recruits are subject to the Navy’s mainstream recruitment 

requirements. There are no qualifications relevant to explosives 

handling and in-service training is delivered to in-service specified 

standards. 

ARMY 

The Army School of Ammunition provides ammunition training for all 

Field Army Ammunition Storemen and Authorized Representatives. 

It also trains all the Army’s ATOs and ATs. 

The Defence School of Transport (DST) at Leconfield is the triservice 

training facility that carries out HAZMAT training for all 

drivers in all armed forces. 

170


New non-officer recruits are subject to the RAF’s mainstream 

recruitment requirements and may enter the service at a number of 

different levels. Like all Trade Group 1 and 2 technical streams, 

Armourers have minimum academic entry requirements, and then, 

are trained in-service through an Advanced Modern Apprenticeship 

during which time they complete a BTEC in Aerospace Studies 

and/or an NVQ level 3 in Aeronautical Engineering before taking up 

their first appointment. Following further training and completion of 

an in-service qualification appropriate to the skills specification of the 

appointment, they will then be inducted locally before carrying out 

more specific training (eg on a specific aircraft type or another 

specialism depending upon the posting). 

Officer recruits have to achieve a minimum level of academic 

qualification. In particular, Engineer Officers have to attain as a 

minimum an HND or equivalent in an engineering subject. On entry 

into the service, they receive further training appropriate to their 

branch and then to the skills specification of their future appointment, 

usually by attending in-service courses and gaining in-service 

qualifications. 


Cranfield University at RMCS offers a range of higher education 

awards including PhDs and MScs in a wide range of explosivesrelated 

subjects. In addition, it offers a wide range of specialist 

continuous professional development courses on explosives 

subjects. Students for all these courses are drawn mainly from the 

defence sector and include both military and civilian personnel. The 

Cavendish Laboratory of the University of Cambridge has an 

established research in explosives technology and is also a source 

of PhD-qualified scientists. More usually, scientists are recruited 

with a science or engineering degree and then trained in-house in 

explosives and risk assessment. This principle also applies at the 

junior level. 

Defence research establishments tend to recruit from two streams – 

those scientists usually holding a Chemistry degree (first degree, 

masters or PhD), and ex-military personnel who have already 

completed extensive in-service explosives training and who have 

many year’s experience. In some instances, recruits may be taken 

on by a Modern Apprenticeship route. Other new recruits are trained 

in risk assessment and risk management as well as explosives 

training in general. 

171


There are no formally accredited qualifications for roles relating to 

the manufacture of explosives-related devices. However, Leafield 

has been active for the last 20 years in providing formal certificated 

explosives training for its own staff and for other defence 

manufacturing companies (eg Martin Baker, Wallop, BAES). Some 

of the training (both in-house and at customers’ premises) is entirely 

delivered by Leafield staff, and some is delivered in collaboration 

with Cranfield staff either at Cranfield or at the customer’s premises. 

COAL MINING 

Doncaster College is the sole repository of expertise in the coal 

mining industry. The MQB – the statutory qualification requirement 

for deep mine Shotfirers – is delivered jointly by Mines Rescue and 

Doncaster College. 

QUARRYING 

There are no academic qualifications relevant to Shotfirers and 

Explosives Supervisors. The key deliverers of training are: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

British Fire Research Establishment 

Camborne School of Mines 

Exchem Explosives 

Institute of Explosives Engineers 

Newcastle University 

Orica 

Royal School of Military Engineering. 

Royal School of Mines. 


In the absence of any common or recognized training in the sector, 

the offshore branch of the Institute of Explosive Engineers (IExpE) 

has produced a Code of Practice: Safety Training Standards for 

Explosives Supervisors in the Oil and Gas Industry. This document 

sets out the training requirements for Explosives Supervisors. 

Companies whose training meets these standards may then be 

accredited. In addition, employees are encouraged to become full 

members of the IExpE. The entry examinations consist of five 

papers, three of which are common to quarries and mines whilst the 

two remaining specialist papers are particular to the oil and gas 

industry. 

172


Exchem offers a range of training courses for both its own staff and 

on a commercial basis to the civil industry. 

DISPOSAL 

This is described in the Search and Munition Clearance 

Occupational Map 2 . 


There is no formally accredited training programme for firearms 

proofing and training is carried out on the job at the Proof Houses. 

DEMOLITION 

The demolition industry has relied on applications from ex-service 

personnel who are then re-trained in-house on commercial 

considerations and who undergo the IExpE’s professional 

qualifications. 


There are no specific arrangements relevant to the education and 

training of personnel in transport, distribution and storage sectors. 

FIREWORKS 

The British Pyrotechnics Association and the Explosives Industry 

Group of the CBI and the Event Suppliers Association are 

responsible for issues relating to professional display. Consumer 

fireworks are covered by the British Fireworks Association and the 

Explosives Industry Group of the CBI. 

PROFESSIONAL BODIES 

Professional bodies and institutes and trade associations relevant to 

explosives include: 

Association of Stage Pyrotechnists (ASP) 

British Fireworks Association (BFA) 

British Pyrotechnic Association (BPA) 

Forensics Society 

2 Munition Clearance Occupational Map, 16 February 2001, prepared by Moloney & Gealy for the Standards Setting Body for 

Munition and Search Occupations 

173

Gun Trade Association (GTA) 

Institute of Demolition Engineers (IDE) 

Institute of Explosive Engineers (IExpE) 

Institute of Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) 

Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) 

Institute of Munition Clearance and Search Engineers (IMCSE) 

International Pyrotechnics Society 

Quarry Products Association 

Royal Society of Chemistry 

Society of Chemists. 

EXISTING QUALIFICATIONS 

MOD 

Cranfield University at RMCS at Shrivenham offers the following 

Masters degrees: 

 

 

 

 

MSc in Explosive Ordnance Engineering 

MSc in Weapon Effects on Structures 

MSc in Weapons and Vehicle Design 

MSc in Forensic Engineering Science. 

Military staff may quality in any of these Masters degrees as 

appropriate. For civilian staff working on complex weapons, most 

entrants into the MoD would hold an engineering degree. 

Technicians would hold an ONC or have completed an 

apprenticeship in electrical or mechanical engineering resulting in an 

ONC. For staff working on conventional weapons, the Process & 

General Supervisor (P&GS) is available. In the logistic managers’ 

group, the present training and qualifications relate more to the 

operational management function with either no or very limited 

training on the ESA aspects of the task. In the past, this has been 

mitigated by the depth of experience of the management staff who 

were often recruited young, and developed over a period of time, 

supported by a centralized career development strategy. This 

approach no longer prevails. 

HM FORCES 

Each service uses a wide range of qualifications appropriate to the 

appointment for recruitment and career management purposes. The 

most commonly encountered qualifications held by personnel in ESA 

174

oles is the RMCS Shrivenham’s Masters degrees held by more 

senior roles. Ammunition Technical Officers (ATOs) complete 16 

months’ specialist training. At the most junior end of the spectrum, 

each Ammunition Storeman must complete a 2 week course which 

includes training in explosives categories and storage requirements. 

The Royal Air Force College Department of Specialist Ground 

Training (DSGT) at Cranwell offers the masters degree in Advanced 

Systems Engineering course which leads to the award of an MSc 

through Loughborough and Cranfield Universities. 

All drivers of hazardous materials must be HAZMAT-trained, which 

applies to all armed services. 

N/SVQs in Search and Munition Clearance are relevant to personnel 

deployed on Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) tasks. These are 

listed below under Disposal. 


Establishments involved in defence research look for recruits with 

first degrees in an appropriate discipline (Chemistry, Physics, 

Mathematics or Engineering) available from many universities. They 

also seek those with an appropriate Masters from Cranfield 

University at RMCS (see above) and the ISSEE Explosives 

Foundation C&G qualification (see below). HNCs and HNDs in 

Mechanical and Electronic Engineering are also sought. 


The ISSEE awards a City & Guilds certificate in Explosives 

Foundation. 

COAL MINING 

The following qualifications are relevant to those using explosives in 

deep and open-cast mines: 

 

 

Shotfiring for Deputies (statutory MQB qualification for Shotfirers 

working in deep mines) delivered by Doncaster College and 

Mines Rescue 

Shotfiring Operations N/SVQ level 3 (for open-cast mining) 

Engineering Maintenance N/SVQ level 3 

 

Health, Safety and Environmental Management in Quarries 

N/SVQ level 4. 

QUARRYING 

175

EPIC (the National Training Organization for extractive industries) 

awards the followingN/SVQs: 

Specialized Plant and Machinery Operations level 2 

 

Construction and Civil Engineering Services (Road Building) 

level 2 

Drilling Operations level 2 

Shotfiring Operations level 3 

 

Health, Safety and Environmental Management in Quarries 

levels 3, 4 and 5. 

Qualifications other than N/SVQs mainly exist in the form of 

membership of professional bodies namely, the Institute of 

Explosives Engineers (IExpE) and the Institute of Munition Clearance 

& Search Engineers (IMCSE). 

EPIC runs two examined courses: 

 

 

Quarry Shot Firing 

Explosives Supervisor. 

The IExpE delivers: 

 

 

Shotfiring in the Construction Industry (for road-builders, 

underwater, demolition, tunnelling, land clearance and trench 

work) 

High Explosives course (the precursor to the Institute’s 

examinations). 

The IExpE has worked to set up a European Shotfiring Certificate, 

which is intended to ensure that shotfirers throughout the EC 

operate to a determined level of competence and that this can be 

demonstrated and accredited by an organization independent of the 

employer. 

The certificate is open to IExpE qualified members and is delivered 

in conjunction with the European Federation of Explosives 

Engineers. 


There are no industry-wide recognized and accredited qualifications 

relating to the use of explosives within the oil and gas sector. The 

offshore branch of the IExpE has developed a statement of training 

requirements although this is not expressed as competencies. Each 

company has developed its own training régime. 

176

Many personnel enter the industry with a degree in Mechanical 

Engineering or an oilfield-related degree. 


Except for QA roles where some positions require a BSc in 

Chemistry, there are no qualifications directly relevant to the 

explosives manufacturing process other than the EU requirement for 

an appointed and qualified Dangerous Good Safety Adviser (DGSA) 

in any company involved in explosives. 

177

DISPOSAL 

N/SVQs have recently been developed in Munition Clearance, 

although they are not appropriate to personnel working solely on 

routine tasks in a factory environment. 

N/SVQ Level 4 Planning and Management of Munition 

Clearance Operations 

N/SVQ Level 3 Supervisory Management of Munition 

Clearance and/or Search Operations 

N/SVQ Level 3 Search for Munitions and/or Specified Targets 

N/SVQ Level 3 Search for and Disposal of Munitions 

N/SVQ Level 2 Contribute to the Search and/or Disposal 

Function 

N/SVQ Level 1 Provide Support for Search or Munition 

Clearance Operations 

City & Guilds and the International School for Search and Explosives 

Engineers (ISSEE) jointly deliver a Search and Explosives Engineers 

Certificate which can only be attained through the ISSEE. 


There are no qualifications available for firearms provers. 


The relevant qualifications used by Motor Vehicle Technicians are: 

N/SVQ Level 2 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair 

N/SVQ Level 3 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair 

The relevant qualifications used by vehicle Body Repairers are; 

N/SVQ Level 2 Vehicle Body Repair 

N/SVQ Level 3 Vehicle Body Repair 

DEMOLITION 

The IExpE delivers: 

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Shotfiring in the Construction Industry (for road-builders, 

underwater, demolition, tunnelling, land clearance and trench 

work) 

High Explosives course (the precursor to the Institute’s 

examinations). 

The current suite of N/SVQs in Demolition Construction does not 

contain reference to the use of explosives as this is considered a 

specialist area and is not widely required by the industry. The 

present relevant N/SVQs are: 

N/SVQ Level 2 Demolition Construction 


N/SVQ Level 4 Demolition Construction (available post review 

summer 2004) 


TRANSPORT, DISTRIBUTION AND STORAGE 

Currently, the standards and qualifications for transport are 

contained in the Carriage of Explosives by Road Regulations 1996 

as amended and the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (Driver 

training) Regulations 1996. These are shortly to be replaced by the 

ADR Regulations and the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of 

Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations. 

The ADR certificate is a short course, combining classroom learning 

and practical exercises. Awarded by approved examining bodies 

such as City & Guilds, the certificate accredits the driver to transport 

dangerous loads for a period of 5 years. In practice, although many 

lorry drivers hold an ADR certificate, few hold the unit appropriate to 

explosives. Drivers are also required to hold an appropriate category 

of driving licence. 

N/SVQs in warehousing are not seen as sufficiently detailed to cover 

the level of detail required to store and transport explosives. The 

available relevant qualifications are as follows: 

N/SVQ Level 1 Assisting in Road Haulage and Distribution 

Operations 

N/SVQ Level 2 Driving Goods Vehicles 

Transporting Goods by Road 

Transporting Goods by Road (Tanker 

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Operations) 

Organizing Road Transport Operations 

Distribution and Warehousing Operations 

N/SVQ Level 3 Driving Goods Vehicles 

Performing Road Haulage and Distribution 

Operations 

FIREWORKS 

Apart from Health and Safety at Work courses, there are no existing 

qualifications aimed specifically at fireworks manufacturers or 

retailers. The Institute of Explosive Engineers and the Royal Military 

College of Science offer a range of short but unaccredited course. 

The BPA currently awards two levels of a Display Operator’s 

Certificate and is developing the third level (note that these levels do 

not equate to NVQ levels). The levels are aimed at the following 

populations: 

Level 1 General display operator (routine tasks carried out 

under instruction) 

Level 2 Site supervisor (responsible for the management of a 

particular display and the person with whom accountability rests) 

Level 3 Company display manager (carries out site recces, risk 

assessments, liaison with local authority etc). 

The final qualification covers both the use of explosives and 

pyrotechnics. Successful candidates receive a Certificate in 

Explosives in the Entertainments Industry when they have both 

passed the appropriate examination and completed the 

accompanying logbook. The operator then receives a photo-identity 

card and is registered on the BPA website of approved display 

operators. 


There are no N/SVQs in Pyrotechnics for personnel in performing 

arts special effects. 

180

NOS AND N/SVQ OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS 

OPPORTUNITIES 

The UK and European Union are losing expertise and skills in 

explosives science and technology. The recognition for individual’s 

skills and competence may help to increase the attractiveness of 

careers in this area, particularly if clear career progression paths are 

articulated. This is particularly relevant in the armed services where 

trained carried out in-service is not accredited and in the MoD. 

For those positions that attract job applications from ex-regulars, an 

N/SVQ is seen as potentially useful by employers in interpreting the 

candidate’s previous military experience and level of expertise. 

Conversely the MoD finds attractive the prospect of an N/SVQ as an 

entry level qualification in practical environments such as setting up 

trials for testing and evaluation as it provides the training 

specification required in modular form. At present, there is no 

requirement for personnel to be licensed – even those giving expert 

advice and the MoD may be interested in developments in NOSs at 

the higher level. NOSs are seen as potentially useful to Safety 

Advisers in helping to ensure a consistency of approach, and 

providing an articulation of the constraints and limits of customer 

interaction which takes account of the impact of the advice given in a 

wider context. Critical subject areas include risk assessment, range 

safety, advice on legislation, laser safety. As the first step, the 

specification of competence could assist in building skills and 

competencies to deliver strategic and business objectives, and would 

form the basis of plans for future manpower needs. 

The articulation of competence in functions that have been 

outsourced (eg toxicity testing and environmental impact 

developments) may also be useful as the MoD either lacks sufficient 

resource or does not have sufficient depth of expertise on such 

matters. Similarly, the definition of NOSs may help the DLO achieve 

its strategic procurement objective to: Develop, in concert with DPA, 

supplier performance management and development tools and 

technologies. 

The competence of personnel has a significant impact on explosives 

safety, which can be assured by the implementation of NOSs. 

N/SVQs could also contribute positively toward the HSE’s 

requirements in providing third party objective endorsements of the 

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competence of personnel. NOSs can also be used to design training 

programmes that support competence. This demonstration of 

competence would be equally advantageous to organizations 

delivering solutions in a commercial, business-to-business 

environment. For these reasons, any NOSs and/or N/SVQs 

developed should be as comprehensive and all-encompassing as 

possible. 

Companies using explosives in the oil and gas industry would 

welcome the development of NOSs and nationally accredited 

qualifications that would demonstrate the competence of personnel 

who had achieved an industry-wide standard. Work already 

accredited by SQA would form a useful starting point. 

All staff in the mining industry are required to be reassessed 

periodically under the HSE’s Management and Administration of 

Safety and Health at Mines (MASHAM) legislation. As there are no 

clear agreed standards against which to assess competence 

following refresher training, NOSs could be useful in providing those 

industry standards. Similarly, where work in the mining industry is 

put out to contract, NOSs could again provide a useful benchmark 

against which to assessor contract bids. 

However, if qualifications are to be designed, they should be fit for 

purpose in the application. Concerns have been expressed that 

although on the face of it, there may be similarities between 

quarrying, mining, demolition and oil and gas extraction, in fact the 

design of qualifications should be specifically aimed at each of these 

three industries that differ in their functioning and potential risks. The 

common elements, however, would be environmental issues, 

explosive science and legislation. 

Concerns have been expressed in some industries that those 

carrying out work using explosives should be licensed to do so. In 

the absence of such a licence, the achievement of an N/SVQ is seen 

as a regulatory tool to assure individuals’ competence. 

NOSs could also fulfil other managerial requirements such as 

providing clear specifications of expectations and best practice and 

they might usefully be adapted for use by procurement teams in 

assessing contract bids. The DPA’s key partner is the Defence 

Logistics Organization (DLO). Improved interoperability between 

these organizations is an important goal and developments made in 

common HR management and financial processes are now sought in 

other areas of business. The use of NOSs might facilitate this 

process. 

182

The implementation of NOSs and N/SVQs may help to demonstrate 

commitment to other quality systems such as Investors in People, 

ISO 9002 or the European Foundation for Quality Management 

(EFQM). In areas where there is no formal structured training or 

validation process, NOSs could provide objective benchmarks 

against which externally delivered training could be verified. 

Defence research establishments would welcome a defined 

progressive career route from induction to an advanced level. At 

present, Cranfield University at RMCS fulfils some of the higher level 

requirements, but this is lacking at the junior echelons and in nonroutine 

research issues. N/SVQs are seen as potentially assisting 

with movement within the defence research sector in a coherent that 

is likely to help alleviate the problems caused by the current and 

expected shortage of scientists in this community. 

The fireworks industry notes that N/SVQs could offer a formal 

measurement of ability and good practice. It has considered 

developing a competence-based qualification for public display 

operators in the past and would welcome competence-based 

qualifications. Such a qualification would also need to address the 

related functions of transport and storage. Warehousing is seen as a 

further need due to the potentially hazardous nature of the job, and 

the stringent health and safety requirements. 

For professional fireworks display operators, the achievement of an 

N/SVQ which includes a logbook describing a number of displays 

completed would be an attractive prospect in demonstrating 

competence to customers, and a lack of which would form a 

preventive measure to those whose experience and expertise do not 

match their claims to competence. 

Companies transporting explosives have identified a possible appeal 

for an N/SVQ relating to explosives security. This is seen a potential 

growth area as recent events have brought security rather than 

material safety to the forefront of regulatory pressure. 

For serving personnel, HM Forces has maintained its commitment 

that all service personnel will leave with at least an N/SVQ level 2 

qualification where these exist. For those still serving, the 

achievement of an N/SVQ is seen as beneficial for personal 

development purposes. Any N/SVQs developed, however, should 

be aimed at professional working in roles requiring specialist 

expertise in explosives work. Were end-users to be included (“those 

who pull the trigger”), this would be seen as devaluing the 

qualification whose credibility should be maintained. 

183

There are many occupational groups within the industry as a whole 

that need a clear understanding of the characteristics of explosives, 

the potential risks and the terms of the Explosive Licence. However, 

these groups do not necessarily handle explosives. Both for these 

groups and to underpin explosives-related functions, consideration 

should be given to specifying these needs as a separate requirement 

that would underpin a series of NOSs or even a whole qualification. 

When developing NOSs, it should be borne in mind that although 

there are few qualifications relevant to explosives, training material 

does already exist which would be helpful in developing 

specifications of underpinning knowledge and understanding – 

particularly the explosives courses run by Leafield in conjunction with 

Cranfield University at RMCS. The British Pyrotechnic Association 

has also well-developed materials that may be relevant in this 

quarter. In addition, the Australian Defence Department has carried 

out extensive work in defining ESA competencies which may inform 

the development of their British counterparts. 

CONSTRAINTS 

In some quarters where there is previous experience of operating 

N/SVQ schemes, the sub-sector’s view is coloured by previous 

experience. This may not always have been positive. Concerns 

about their value have been raised as have concerns about the time 

and resources required, together with an apprehensiveness as to 

how to implement N/SVQs. 

The fireworks industry notes that there may be a limited number of 

interested parties compared with other industries. The explosive 

demolition industry is also small in comparison to others and this 

may pose problems with assessment and verification as, in order to 

find the necessary experience and expertise to carry out N/SVQ 

assessments, there may well be commercial conflicts of interest 

between assessors/verifiers from competitor companies carrying out 

those assessments. 

N/SVQs have a limited appeal in the quarrying industry and a directly 

relevant N/SVQ exists in Shotfiring. However, since changes have 

been introduced to training in the industry, and competence issues 

have yet to be addressed for Explosives Supervisors, a possible 

route to an N/SVQ is seen as through the completion of a log book 

accompanying the achievement of an N/SVQ. Any developmental 

work should take into account the IExpE’s existing Shotfiring 

Certificate. 

184

Competence requirements in the mining industry are set out by the 

MQB, and employers do not expect that HSE will permit the 

achievement of an N/SVQ as a substitute for achievement of the 

MQB qualification. However, employers report that it would be 

helpful to the careers of mining shotfirers to map the MQB 

qualification against the requirements of the N/SVQ in shotfiring in 

the quarrying and demolition industries. Further, the competence 

requirements between those working in open-cast and deep mines 

are seen as different and these differences should be 

accommodated in the design of any competencies. 

There is little demand for transport-related N/SVQs in the explosives 

transport sub-sector which is very heavily regulated. As small 

operations, transport companies tend to have a low staff turnover, 

and recruit easily from their own networks. 

NVQs are not seen as appropriate in a blue skies research 

environment which is characterized by an intellectual thought 

process and academic qualifications. They are seen as more 

appropriate in more practical environments. 

A commitment to sufficient funding and resources will be needed to 

ensure the successful implementation of N/SVQs. This is particularly 

evident in the need to implement effective assessment procedures 

which are seen as bureaucratic, and particularly in the case of the 

assessment and verification units. 

As the development of standards and qualifications may raise 

expectations amongst individuals in some quarters, it is 

recommended that early consideration should be given to 

“downstream” issues such as the delivery of and individual access to 

training to the standards specified. 

GLOSSARY 

Explosive 

Explosive forming 

There are 2 main classes: “permitted” and “not permitted” ie 

those which are safe for use in coalmines and those which are 

not. Ammonium nitrate mixtures are mostly used in coal mines. 

ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate and Fuel Oil) is now widely used in 

hard rock mining. Explosives are used as propellants (low 

explosives) and for blasting (high explosives) in both civil and 

military applications. 

One of a range of high energy rate-forming processes by which 

185

parts are formed at a rapid rate by extremely high pressures. 

Low and high explosives are used in variation of the explosive 

forming process; with the former, known as the cartridge 

system, the expanding gas is confined; with the latter, the gas 

need not be confined and pressure of up to one million 

atmospheres may be attained. 

Propellant 

AWE 

Cranfield University at RMCS 

DLO 

DPA 

DSDA 

DSTL 

IM 

IPR 

IPT 

MCBU 

MoD 

OME 

SSB for EMSO 

The comprehensive name for the class of low explosives (LE) 

which burn and are used to propel shell, bullets and rockets etc. 

In liquid propellants, it comprises the fuel (hydrocarbons, such 

as kerosene and hydrazine) and the oxidant (such as liquid 

oxygen and fluorine). Propellants are a sub-set of explosives. 

Modern solid military propellants used in cartridges and rockets 

are usually based on nitrocellulose (NC) as the only energetic 

material, or combined with another energetic material such as 

nitroglycerine (NG) to increase energy. 

Atomic Weapons Establishment 

Royal Military College of Science Shrivenham 

Defence Logistics Organization 

Defence procurement Agency 

Defence Storage & Distribution Agency 

Defence Science & Technology Laboratories 

Insensitive Munition (IM). IMs reliably fulfil their performance, 

readiness and operational requirements on demand, but are 

designed to minimize the violence of reaction and subsequent 

collateral damage if subjected to unplanned stimuli. 

Intellectual Property Rights 

Integrated Project Teams 

Munitions Corporate Business Unit 

Ministry of Defence 

Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives 

Standards Setting Body for Explosives, Munitions and Search 

Occupations 

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