Original Date: 07/18/1994
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

By developing a computerized system to track explosives storage compatibility and quantities, Mason & Hanger (M&H) has minimized errors in material storage that may compromise plant safety. Safety regulations require that explosives be stored in segregated magazines based on their established compatibility grouping. The regulations also required that the quantity of explosives in a magazine be controlled based on the explosive's hazards classification. Verification that magazines were not overloaded or that incompatible materials were not stored together was previously accomplished through periodic inspections and regular physical inventories.

This new system takes hazardous classification and compatibility data supplied with the hazardous component safety data sheets, storage requirements from AMCR 385-100 (the Army's explosive safety manual), and the data from the material handlers on what has been stored or removed from each magazine. The system provides daily reports on the individual explosive weights in each building, the maximum amount that can be stored at the site, and highlights any deficiencies. Deficiencies tracked include incorrect storage mixing, no hazards classification or storage group assigned for the material, and overloaded conditions.

This system has proven effective in minimizing the time it takes to correct any errors in magazine storage. It has also increased the level of visibility to both operations and management personnel.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.