What are the primary hazards when handling explosives?

The primary hazards when handling explosives are accurately encapsulated in the first option, which includes toxicity, sensitivity, fragmentation, forward-firing munitions, fire, and electricity.

Toxicity refers to the harmful effects that certain explosive materials can have on health, either through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Sensitivity is crucial to note as it denotes how explosives may react to heat, shock, or friction, which can inadvertently lead to detonation. Fragmentation is also a significant concern, as any explosion can cause pieces of the explosive material or surrounding structures to be thrown at high speeds, posing risks to personnel and equipment.

The mention of forward-firing munitions highlights a specific type of explosive hazard, where the design of the munition can cause unintended discharge if not handled correctly. Fire is inherently related to explosive materials since they can ignite easily and cause severe damage, while electricity can also pose risks through static discharge or faulty wiring that could trigger an explosive reaction.

The other options touch upon relevant safety factors but do not comprehensively cover the specific hazards associated with explosive materials the way the first choice does. For instance, while heat and moisture are linked to the stability of explosives, they are only subsets of broader hazards like sensitivity and