Who should approve changes to explosive safety procedures?

• A. The plant manager
• B. A random team member
• C. The safety committee
• D. The designated explosives safety officer or authority having jurisdiction

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is that changes to explosive safety procedures must be approved by the person or body with formal responsibility for explosives safety and regulatory compliance. The designated explosives safety officer (DESO) or the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) holds that authority. The DESO has the technical expertise and the program-level responsibility to review proposed changes, assess risks, verify that protections and training are adequate, and ensure the change aligns with all safety policies. The AHJ provides the legal authorization, ensuring the change complies with applicable regulations and standards. Together, they ensure any modification is technically sound, properly reviewed, and enforceable.

Plant managers oversee operations, but they aren’t the designated safety authority for explosive procedures. A random team member lacks authority to approve changes. A safety committee can provide recommendations and input, but final approval rests with the DESO or AHJ, who carry formal safety and regulatory responsibility.