SLP-14 sets out IME’s guidelines for the safe and secure transportation, distribution, and storage of explosive materials manufactured and handled by IME’s member companies. While the recommendations included in the SLP are consistent with laws and regulations governing commercial explosives, some of IME’s recommendations exceed federal and state requirements, in furtherance of IME’s important mission of safeguarding our products, workers, the public and the environment. Read more

SLP-1 sets out guidelines for the construction of structures, known as “magazines” that are used for the safe and secure storage of explosive materials. The construction of magazines is primarily controlled by regulations administered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The SLP describes the various types of magazines, the construction requirements for each type, and the explosives products that are permitted to be stored in each type. The SLP is not a substitute for applicable federal, state, or local regulations, but does provide a succinct guide to the complex regulatory scheme surrounding the storage of explosives. Read more

This SLP cannot and is not intended to cover all potential security risks or all appropriate responses to security threats facing the explosives industry. Rather, the information and recommendations provided in this SLP are intended to assist and inform users of explosives and those in the explosives industry to identify and assess potential security vulnerabilities, and to devise company-specific plans to prepare for and respond to security alerts and threats. Read more

SLP-28 provides general information on maintaining inventories of certain bulk explosive materials and oxidizers used in the manufacture of explosives and blasting agents. The SLP covers the considerations that underlie the selection and use of inventory control systems, devices, or methods for detecting and preventing any unexplained or unexpected losses of bulk materials. Read more

IME SLP 30, The Safe Handling of Solid Ammonium Nitrate (“SLP-30”) is part of an effort by IME to provide a best practice for the safe handling of ammonium nitrate to protect the public, workplace employees and commercial explosives businesses.  The U.S. commercial explosives industry manufactures, handles, transports, stores and uses ammonium nitrate (“AN”) in two physical forms: one form a solid, referred to as technical grade ammonium nitrate (“TGAN”), and the other a liquid, referred to as ammonium nitrate solution (“ANS”).  Together, TGAN and ANS account for over 90% of the raw material feed used to manufacture modern commercial explosive materials. Commercial explosive materials used in the United States that contain AN in the form of TGAN or ANS include bulk and packaged blasting agent emulsions, high explosive emulsions, bulk oxidizer emulsions, and ammonium-nitrate/fuel-oil (“ANFO”).  TGAN may also be blended with bulk emulsions to make heavy ANFO, or added to packaged emulsions to achieve energy partitioning results.  Lastly, AN is also an important ingredient in the formulation of nitroglycerin-based explosives, including, ammonia dynamites, semi-gelatin and ammonia gelatin dynamites.  The importance of AN to the U.S. commercial explosives industry is indisputable. The information provided is not intended to cover all hazards, safe practices or technical challenges associated with the manufacturing of AN; the manufacturing, storage or use of explosives or blasting agents containing AN; or the transportation of AN and AN-containing products. For additional information, please consult other sources including the appropriate references, standards, and regulations cited at the end of this document. IME discourages the recreational sale, distribution and use of any form of AN.  In addition, we strongly recommend that the sale and distribution of AN be limited to licensees authorized by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) under 27 CFR Part 555. Read more

SLP-32 describes best practices in the manufacturing, testing, transportation, use and disposal of explosive products used by the oil and gas industry.  The SLP also includes guidelines for explosives security in various oil and gas operations.  The best practices described in the SLP are considered by IME to be minimum requirements for safety and security. Read more