ABILITY   TO   READ   AND   UNDERSTAND REGULATIONS.—An explosives driver must be able to  read,  write,  and  understand  the  English  language, and to complete the various forms for which a driver is responsible.   The   driver   is   required   to   read   and understand the regulations that pertain to the duties as prescribed in NAVSEA OP 2239. In addition to these qualifications, if you apply for certification as an explosive driver, you are required to complete an explosive driver's training course and pass the  tests  given  at  the  conclusion  of  the  course.  All explosive drivers receive at least 12 hours of instruction in the following activities: ·  Driving trucks, truck-tractors with semi trailers, and other vehicles of appropriate types ·  Handling and transporting hazardous materials ·  Interpreting regulations and procedures pertaining   to   the   transporting   of   hazardous materials ·  Training and use of fire extinguishers ·  Completing and filing required reports When operating Navy-owned vehicles, you, as an operator,  must  comply  with  DOD  regulations  and  all state and local traffic laws. You are also subject to fine or  imprisonment  when  you  violate  these  regulations and traffic laws. REVIEW NUMBER 4 Q1. To  what  publication  should  you  refer  for information   about   transporting   hazardous materials? Q2. What is the minimum age requirement for an explosive    driver    to    transport    explosives off-station? SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Safety precautions prescribe the minimum requirements and regulations you should observe when handling    ammunition.    These    regulations    may    be general in nature or step-by-step procedures. Regardless  of  the  situation,  safety  precautions  must NEVER   be   ignored   or   bypassed,   even   during   the simplest ammunition-handling evolutions. The  general  safety  precautions  listed  below  show some   of   the   regulations   contained   in   publications referred to in this chapter. 1. Properly stow all materials within a magazine and  keep  them  in  a  safe  condition.  Never  let trash  resulting  from  decanning,  depalletizing, or  unpacking  accumulate  in  a  magazine.  It presents   a   fire   hazard   and   unsafe   working conditions for personnel. 2. Don't   use   improvised   tools,   platforms,   or ladders. 3. Before  ammunition  loading,  explosives  load- ing, or offloading operations, either at a shore activity  or  a  ship  underway,  inspect  all  fire mains to make sure they operate properly and efficiently. Fire hoses must be laid out ready for use  in  the  immediate  area  of  operations.  The hoses must be laid out so those damage control and  fire  boundaries  are  not  crossed,  using  all risers  available.  Additionally,  keep  the  valves controlling these fires hoses open so that water is readily available. 4. Flame, heat, or spark-producing devices aren't permitted    where    explosives    or    flammable materials, batteries, or battery charging lockers are  located.  Cigarette  lighters,  heaters,  fires, welding tools, soldering irons, cutting torches, and   uncovered   lights   are   included   in   this category.   When   work   requiring   the   use   of flame,   heat,   or   spark-producing   devices   is urgently required in or adjacent to an ammunition stowage space, follow the procedures  outlined  in  OPNAVINST  8023.2 (series) and OPNAVINST 8023.21 (series). 5. Emphasize   safety   precautions   applicable   to in-service ammunition items or equipment by using   applicable   signs   throughout   the   ship. Signs may be obtained as Cog I material. They are indexed in Section 13 of Navy Stock List of Forms and Publications—Cognizance Symbol I,  NAVSUP  Publication  2002,  or  when  not listed in NAVSUP 2002, you may obtain them from  a  tender-type  ship  by  submission  of  a work order. 6. Emergency   drills   requiring   the   use   of   the general  alarm  system,  ship's  bell  or  whistles aren’t conducted aboard ship while moored to an   ammunition-activity   pier,   unless   specific approval for such drills has been granted by the commanding officer of the ammunition activity. Similarly,  such  emergency  drills  aren't  conducted by ships nested together or at a pier where 12-22