What should you do with explosives during an electrical storm?

• A. Attempt to return the aids to the storage area but if that isn't possible place the explosives in an isolated area that is at least 300 feet from personnel and occupied buildings. Then the person in charge of the explosives will monitor them no closer than 100 feet.
• B. Move all explosives to the infirmary.
• C. Leave them where they are.
• D. Disarm the charges immediately.

Answer: (D)

During a thunderstorm, the immediate danger with explosives is the potential for initiation due to electrical surges or static effects. The best course is to disarm the charges immediately. This neutralizes the energetic threat right away, reducing the chance of a detonation if systems are struck by lightning or experience a fault. Only trained, authorized personnel should perform this, as handling explosives is highly specialized and risks injury if done improperly. Leaving them where they are or trying to relocate them during the storm does not remove the risk and can expose people to danger; moving them to infirmary or attempting to store them elsewhere during the storm adds unnecessary handling hazards. Disarming now follows the safety protocols for reducing hazard in a high-risk situation.