MM2600, Lesson 1
Handling Operations at Railheads
When ammunition is being loaded on or offloaded from railroad cars, some specific safety practices
apply.
Before Loading and Offloading. Before loading and offloading, the railroad car should be checked to
insure that the brakes are set and the wheels are chocked. Blue warning flags must be placed on both
ends of the car to advise transportation personnel that it is not to be moved. The proper fire hazard
symbol, chemical hazard symbol, or both, must be posted at each entrance to the railhead area. (Fire
symbols and chemical hazard symbols are covered in lesson 2 of this subcourse.) Adequate
firefighting equipment will be available at the site before cars are loaded or offloaded.
During Loading and Offloading. During the railhead operation, the area must be kept constantly
policed. Dunnage scraps from blocking and bracing will not be allowed to accumulate. Dunnage
stacks will be kept separated from ammunition stacks and railroad cars loaded with ammunition by at
least a hundred feet. The railhead site will not be allowed to become congested with ammunition,
equipment, personnel, or anything else that may hinder the operation. Established explosive limits,
personnel limits, and quantity distance standards will be observed at all times during the railhead
operation.
After Loading and Offloading. After each car is loaded, the load will be blocked and braced
according to the applicable ammunition outloading drawing. (Drawings are covered in subcourse MM
2602.) The blue flags will then be removed, and the inspector will be notified. After each car is
offloaded the blue flags will be removed, the car will be cleaned, and excess dunnage will be policed.
Handling Operations Using Trucks and Trailers
When handling operations involve the loading or offloading of trucks or trailers, the practices and
precautions that follow must be observed.
Before Operations. Before a motor vehicle is loaded with ammunition, a check must be made to verify
that the driver has a valid SF 46 (US Government Motor Vehicle Operator's Identification Card). The
driver must also have a valid DD Form 626 (Motor Vehicle Inspection), which certifies that the vehicle
has been inspected and approved for transporting ammunition. The vehicle must be checked to insure
that it is equipped with the right number and type of fire extinguishers. If it is going to transport
ammunition over public highways, it must be equipped with one fire extinguisher rated Class 10-BC. If
the vehicle is not going off post, it must be equipped with two Class 1-BC portable fire extinguishers as
a minimum. Placards bearing the proper fire hazard symbol, chemical hazard symbol, or both, will be
placed on both sides, the front, and the rear before the vehicle is loaded.
During Operations. W h e n m o t o r v e h i c l e s a r e b e i n g l o a d e d a n d o f f l o a d e d , t h e y m u s t b e
c h e c k e d co n st a n t l y to in su re th a t the e n g ine i s sh u t off , tha t th e b ra ke s a r e set , a n d , if
on a g r a d e , t hat one wh ee l i s cho cked. W hen loa d ing a nd of f lo ad ing t ra ile r s det a c h e d
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