The Dangers Associated with Munitions

Safety Information for SoldiersSafety Information for Soldiers

The Dangers Associated with Munitions

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What Are MunitionsMunitions include:

• Artillery rounds

• Bombs• Grenades

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Munitions Components Fuze – contains the most sensitive

explosives• Arms a munition allowing it to

function as intended• Can, of itself, cause death or

serious injury

Booster – contains a slightly less sensitive explosive, can be hazardous

Main Charge – explosive, chemical, other• Explosive produces a blast wave and

fragments• Chemical may include toxic chemical

agents

Body – encases all the components of the munition, usually made of metal 3

What Are UXO

UXO stands for unexploded ordnance.

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) are military munitions that failed to function properly upon use.

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Munitions

• May be hard to identify• Come in many shapes, sizes and types,

even small munitions can injure or kill• Include “simulators” and

“practice” munitions, which are also dangerous

• Can be dangerous regardless of age

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Which Are Most Likely UXO?

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54 6

32

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New

Projectile

7Used

New

Rocket

8Used

Munitions can be encountered almost anywhere such as:

• Active military installations• Weapons and/or munitions test sites• Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS)• A home, as part of a souvenir collection• Tactical areas

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Encountering Munitions

WWI training site that is now in a residential

development in Washington, DC.

UXO from live-fire using the same kind of weapon shown above.

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Encountering Munitions

The DANGER is real!

Souvenirs recently collected or purchased and brought home or even Civil War cannon balls and artillery projectiles can be:

• Kept for years without incident, until they detonate

• Believed, incorrectly, tobe harmless, until they are proven otherwise

• Deadly

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The 3Rs of Explosives Safety

When you encounter a munition outside DoD’s military munitions management system:

• Recognize – that munitions are dangerous• Retreat – do not approach, touch, disturb or

move it, but leave the area• Report – call 911 or tell your chain of command what you saw, and

where you saw it

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Recognize• Munitions may:

− Not look like a projectile, rocket or bomb

− Look harmless, but they are dangerous

− Be shiny or rusty

− Be clean or dirty

• Even though a munition may not have been moved for yearsor has been moved dozens oftimes, it may still explode.

Leave it alone! 13

Retreat

• Do not go near, touch, move or disturb a munition or suspect munition.

• Carefully, leave the area, the same way you entered it.

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Report

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• Report what you saw and where you saw it to:– Military police or local

law enforcement

– Your chain of command

• Trained explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel will dispose of the item.

Be Safe

• Remember, munitions can kill!

– Leave them alone

– Get away from them

– Report them to law enforcement or your chain of commend immediately

• Keep yourself and others safe.

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Remember, if you encounter or suspect you have encountered a

munition:

www.denix.osd.mil/uxo

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