Overview of Transporting Dangerous Materials

Commercial explosives are materials that are used primarily for commercial and industrial purposes, such as in the mining, quarrying, and construction industries. These explosives may be used for a variety of applications within these industries.

What Are “Explosive Materials”?

Explosive materials hold a large amount of potential energy. In other words, if released or otherwise ignited, explosive materials can expand rapidly — detonating, combusting, and causing widespread destruction. Depending on the unique properties of the materials, catalysts such as heat, pressure, light, or an additional material may be the cause of the reaction.

Most explosive materials are chemicals. These chemicals can be highly dangerous, unstable, toxic, and extremely sensitive. It is critical that they are handled with care by professionals.

US Department of Labor Definition of Explosives

According to the United States Department of Labor, explosives are “… any chemical compound, mixture, or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion.” In turn, commercial explosives are “… those explosives which are intended to be used in commercial or industrial operations.”

Classes of Explosive Materials

There are three classes of commercial or industrial explosives. Below, you’ll find a commercial explosives list, which outlines each of these classes.

Class A (High Explosives): Bulk salutes, flash powders, and dynamite.

Class B (Low Explosives): Fuse lighters, safety fuses, display fireworks (not including bulk salutes), igniter cords, igniters, and black powder.

Class C (Blasting Agents): Certain types of water gels as well as ammonium nitrate-fuel oil.

What Types of Explosives Are Manufactured in the United States?

Here is a list of commercial explosives that may be manufactured in the United States:

• Gunpowder
• Dynamite
• Safety fuses and blasting
• Detonating fuses, caps, primers, and cords
• Detonators (not including ammunition)
• Blasting accessories (for example, fuses, squibs, igniters, and caps) and powder
• Pentolite explosive materials

How Should Commercial Explosives Be Handled or Disposed Of?

Any type of explosive should be handled with the utmost care. Only professionals who understand the unique properties and behaviors of hazardous and explosive materials should handle them. Naturally, explosive materials do not react to detonators (light, sound, pressure, another chemical, etc.) based on whether they are applied deliberately or accidentally.

Industries and companies or organizations that work with commercial explosives must employ professionals in hazardous material handling to assist with the storage, transportation, and use of these compounds and materials. Not doing so could result in accidental exposure to an igniter or detonator, which may, in turn, cause widespread destruction as well as injury and death.

Commercial Explosive Dangers

One of the main issues concerning commercial explosives is that of companies, teams, or individuals failing to recognize and respect the precarious and dangerous nature of these materials. This alone often leads to serious injury, death, and property destruction. Appreciating the fact that commercial explosives hold great potential for harm is step one in caring for and handling them properly.

Before commercial explosive materials are purchased and utilized, organizations and companies must discuss and formulate specific plans and systems for their safe and proper transportation. Our team can assist with this. Along with our extensive knowledge of the unique properties and behaviors of explosive materials, we have widespread experience handling and moving them in the proper fashion to avoid detonation, destruction, and personal harm.

Interested in Driving for Tri-State Hazmat

If your organization regularly handles explosive materials or requires their use for a specific application, please contact us to discuss high-security transportation and other ways we may be able to help.