When loading or unloading any type of explosives, you must ensure which of the following?

• A. Cargo heaters have been disabled
• B. The engine is off
• C. The fire extinguisher is present
• D. The driver has a hazmat endorsement

Answer: (A)

During loading or unloading explosives, you must remove any potential heat source in the cargo area. Cargo heaters are designed to keep some goods warm, but they can raise the temperature inside the cargo compartment and trigger or intensify a detonation risk with explosive materials. Turning off or disabling these heaters eliminates that specific ignition risk right when handling the explosives, which is the most direct and essential safeguard in this scenario.

Engine being off is generally important for safety, but it doesn’t address the direct risk from heat sources in the cargo. A fire extinguisher is valuable in case of an emergency, but it doesn’t prevent ignition during the handling process. A hazmat endorsement is a licensing requirement, not a procedural control for loading/unloading.