General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

Explosives and Blasting Agents

Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05

29 CFR 1910.109

29 CFR 1910.109 governs explosives and blasting agents in general industry. It requires that explosives be stored in approved magazines that meet the standard's construction and location requirements, and it sets rules for the safe handling, transportation, and use of explosives, blasting agents, and related materials, with the goal of preventing the accidental initiation, fire, and detonation hazards these materials present.

29 CFR 1910.109 at a glance

What it covers: Explosives and blasting agents in general industry
Storage: Approved magazines meeting construction and distance requirements
Handling: Safe handling, transportation, and control of ignition sources
Access: Only authorized persons handle explosives
Key hazard: Accidental initiation: fire, detonation, and mass casualties
Max penalty (2026): $16,550 per serious violation; $165,514 per willful

What 29 CFR 1910.109 requires (plain English)

29 CFR 1910.109 covers explosives and blasting agents in general industry: their manufacture, storage, handling, transportation, and use. Explosives are materials that can detonate, and the standard's requirements are built around preventing the accidental initiation and controlling the consequences if the worst happens.

Storage is central: all Class A, Class B, and Class C explosives (in the older classification the standard uses), special industrial explosives, and newly developed or unclassified explosives must be kept in magazines that meet the standard's requirements; magazines are built to defined construction standards (fire- and bullet-resistant, ventilated, locked) and sited according to quantity-distance tables that keep required distances from inhabited buildings, roads, and other magazines based on the quantity of explosives. The standard also addresses blasting agents, water gels, and the specific storage and handling of each.

Beyond storage, 1910.109 governs safe handling and transportation, control of smoking and ignition sources around explosives, limits on who may handle them, and the conduct of operations. It works alongside DOT transportation rules and ATF regulations. Because an explosives incident can be catastrophic, the standard's magazine, distance, and handling requirements are strict and heavily focused on preventing accidental initiation.

The regulatory text

“All Class A, Class B, Class C explosives, and special industrial explosives, and any newly developed and unclassified explosives, shall be kept in magazines which meet the requirements of this paragraph.”

29 CFR 1910.109(c)(1)(i)

Key facts about 29 CFR 1910.109

1910.109 governs explosives and blasting agents in general industry.
Explosives must be stored in approved magazines meeting the standard's requirements (1910.109(c)(1)(i)).
Magazines are built to defined construction standards and sited by quantity-distance tables.
The standard controls handling, transportation, and ignition sources.
Only authorized persons may handle explosives.
It uses the older Class A/B/C explosives classification.
It works alongside DOT and ATF regulations for these materials.

Scope: who 29 CFR 1910.109 applies to

Regulatory framework: General Industry (29 CFR 1910)
Citation reference: 29 CFR 1910.109
Enforcement status: In force and enforced
Jurisdiction: Federal OSHA (29 State-Plan jurisdictions may be stricter)

State-Plan states (e.g. California, Washington, Michigan) operate OSHA-approved programs that must be at least as effective as federal OSHA and frequently impose higher penalties or additional requirements. Confirm the rule as adopted in your state.

Key requirements of 29 CFR 1910.109

#	Employer obligation
1	Store explosives in approved magazines
2	Separate detonators from explosives
3	Post 'EXPLOSIVES' warning signs
4	Limit quantities in vehicles during transport
5	Train authorized personnel on safe handling

Summarized from the text of 29 CFR 1910.109. Always read the full regulation for the binding language.

Common Explosives & Blasting violations

Deficiencies OSHA cites under 29 CFR 1910.109 include the ones below, in no particular order. Distinct deficiencies can be cited as separate items, and each serious item carries up to $16,550 (2026). Broader per-instance stacking exists but is a discretionary, case-by-case OSHA enforcement policy, not an automatic multiplier.

Explosives not stored in an approved magazine meeting the requirements (1910.109(c)(1)).
Magazine not meeting construction or quantity-distance requirements (1910.109(c)).
Ignition sources or smoking not controlled around explosives (1910.109).
Unauthorized persons handling explosives (1910.109).
Unsafe handling or transportation of explosives or blasting agents (1910.109(d)/(e)).

Storing explosives is not "put them somewhere locked": the magazine and distance rules are specific

A serious mistake is storing explosives in an ordinary locked shed or container. 1910.109 requires APPROVED MAGAZINES (structures built to specific construction standards (fire-resistant, bullet-resistant, ventilated, and secured)) and sited according to QUANTITY-DISTANCE TABLES that dictate minimum distances from inhabited buildings, public roads, and other magazines based on how much explosive is stored. A converted shed that lacks the construction or the required separation distances is not a compliant magazine, even if it is locked. Because the consequence of an incident is catastrophic, the standard leaves no room for improvised storage: the magazine type, construction, and distances are prescribed.

What OSHA inspectors look for

A compliance officer checks that explosives are kept in approved magazines of the right type and location (distance tables), that handling and transportation are safe, that smoking and ignition sources are controlled, and that only authorized persons handle explosives. Improper storage and magazine deficiencies are the classic findings.

Example: how a violation is cited

Explosives are stored in a shed that does not meet the magazine construction or distance requirements, near an ignition source. OSHA cites 1910.109 for failing to keep explosives in an approved magazine meeting the standard's requirements, with penalties from $16,550, often elevated given the catastrophic potential.

Illustrative example, not a specific OSHA case.

Explosives & Blasting compliance checklist

Use this to evaluate your compliance with 29 CFR 1910.109. Each item is a key requirement OSHA may verify during an inspection.

Store explosives only in approved magazines meeting the construction requirements.
Site magazines per the quantity-distance tables for the quantity stored.
Control smoking and ignition sources around explosives and magazines.
Limit handling to authorized, qualified persons.
Handle and transport explosives and blasting agents safely.
Coordinate compliance with DOT and ATF requirements for these materials.

2026 penalties for 29 CFR 1910.109

Maximums set by 29 CFR 1903.15(d). 2026 amounts unchanged from 2025 (no CPI adjustment; OMB M-26-11). Not an increase. The 2025 OSHA penalty levels remain in effect for 2026; OSHA made no inflation adjustment for 2026. 29 CFR 1903.15 identifies January 15, 2025 as the effective reference for these amounts, while OSHA's public penalties page currently references penalties assessed after Jan. 15, 2026.

Violation type	Minimum	Maximum	When it applies
Serious	$1,085	$16,550	Substantial probability of death or serious physical harm.
Other-Than-Serious	$0	$16,550	Relates to safety/health but unlikely to cause death or serious harm.
Willful	$11,823	$165,514	Intentional, knowing, or voluntary disregard of the requirement.
Repeated	$4,256	$165,514	A substantially similar violation cited within the last 5 years.
Failure to Abate	None	$16,550/day	up to $16,550 per day; total capped at 30x the daily amount (FOM Ch.6)

Explosives violations are cited seriously given the catastrophic potential. Serious violations reach $16,550 and willful or repeat violations $165,514.

Maximums and the willful minimum are set by 29 CFR 1903.15(d); the serious and repeated minimums are OSHA policy floors from its annual penalty adjustment memo. OSHA applies gravity-based and size, good-faith and history reductions (FOM CPL 02-00-164 Ch.6). Estimates only, not legal advice.

The business case for Explosives & Blasting compliance

Explosives and blasting agents can detonate from heat, shock, friction, or stray current, and a single incident can be catastrophic: leveling structures and killing many. 1910.109 controls that risk through approved magazine storage (built to resist fire and bullets and located safe distances from people and property), safe handling and transportation, and strict control of ignition sources and access, so these materials are stored and used in ways that prevent accidental initiation.

Free compliance tools for 29 CFR 1910.109

Chemical Compatibility Matrix Job Hazard Analysis Builder Hot Work Permit Generator

Explosives & Blasting penalties by state

Penalties and enforcement vary by state. State-Plan states may impose higher penalties and additional requirements beyond federal 29 CFR 1910.109.

Alabama Arkansas Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia

View all 50 states + DC →

Frequently asked questions about 29 CFR 1910.109

How must explosives be stored under OSHA?

Under 1910.109, explosives must be kept in approved magazines that meet the standard's construction requirements (fire- and bullet-resistant, ventilated, and secured) and are sited according to quantity-distance tables that set minimum distances from inhabited buildings, roads, and other magazines based on the quantity stored. An ordinary locked shed is not a compliant magazine.

What are quantity-distance tables?

Quantity-distance (Q-D) tables specify the minimum safe distances that a magazine storing a given quantity of explosives must keep from inhabited buildings, public highways, and other magazines. 1910.109 incorporates these tables so that if an incident occurs, the separation limits the harm. The greater the quantity of explosives, the greater the required distances.

Who can handle explosives?

Only authorized, qualified persons. 1910.109 (and the parallel construction blasting rules in 1926 Subpart U, e.g., 1926.900) restrict the handling and use of explosives to authorized persons who are qualified to do so safely. Limiting access and requiring qualified handlers is a core control against accidental initiation.

Does 1910.109 cover blasting agents too?

Yes. 1910.109 covers explosives and blasting agents (such as ammonium nitrate–fuel oil mixtures), water gels, and related materials, with specific storage and handling requirements for each. It works alongside DOT transportation regulations and ATF licensing requirements for these materials.

Regulatory history of 29 CFR 1910.109

The explosives and blasting agents standard (1910.109) was adopted from established national consensus standards (the NFPA explosives codes and the Institute of Makers of Explosives guidance) when OSHA began in 1971. Its magazine-construction and quantity-distance requirements reflect long-standing explosives-safety practice; the standard still uses the older Class A/B/C classification.

Related glossary terms

Key terms that appear in 29 CFR 1910.109, each with a full plain-English explainer.

Hierarchy of Controls Hot Work Permit Gas Under Pressure Hazardous Energy

Related guides & articles

OSHA Chemical Storage Requirements Complete Guide OSHA Fire Safety Requirements: Workplace Guide

Related OSHA standards

29 CFR 1910.101

Compressed Gases

29 CFR 1910.106

Flammable Liquids

29 CFR 1910.107

Spray Finishing

29 CFR 1910.110

LP-Gas Storage

Primary sources

OSHA figures on this page are imported from HazComFast's verified regulatory module (verified 2026-10-05 against eCFR, OSHA.gov, and the Federal Register).

This page is an educational summary, not legal advice. OSHA standards and penalty amounts change; confirm requirements against the current regulation and your applicable State-Plan before acting.

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OSHA does not give advance notice of inspections (29 CFR 1903.6). Get the binder in order before the opening conference, not during it.

Serious Violation

$16,550

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