Drilling is permitted within ______ of remaining butts of old hoses if there is any suspicion of unexploded charges?

• A. 25 feet
• B. 50 feet
• C. 75 feet
• D. 100 feet

Answer: (B)

When there’s any suspicion of unexploded charges, you must establish a safe buffer around the area and avoid operations that could trigger detonation. Drilling can create friction, heat, or a shock wave that might set off residual charges, so a conservative distance is used to protect workers. Fifty feet provides that protective margin, reducing the chance of injury from blasts or flying debris if a charge remains in the hoses. If there’s doubt about whether a charge could be present, treat the area as hazardous, stop work, evacuate to a safe distance, and have qualified explosive ordnance personnel assess and handle the situation.