Why must personal protective equipment (PPE) be worn during explosives handling?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn during explosives handling primarily to protect against potential hazards. The nature of explosives presents various risks, including blasts, flying debris, chemical exposure, and other dangers that can result in serious injury or even fatality. By wearing appropriate PPE, individuals can minimize the risk of injury from these hazards, ensuring their safety while working in high-risk environments.

While comfort and professionalism are important in a workplace, they are not the primary reasons for wearing PPE in situations involving explosives. Legal compliance is also a consideration, but it is secondary to the fundamental purpose of protecting the individual from immediate physical threats. The essence of PPE usage in explosives handling is to provide a critical layer of safety, enabling workers to perform their duties amidst the inherent risks present in handling such materials.