H. R. 5188

1. Establishment of blast safety officer positions

(a) Establishment - Not later than September 30, 2026, the Secretary of Defense shall establish blast safety officer positions in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force.

(b) Duties - Duties of a blast safety officer shall include the following, in accordance with standards established pursuant to section 735 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note):

(1) - Monitoring and mitigating blast and overpressure exposure to members of such Armed Forces during live-fire or explosive exercises, including breaching exercises. A blast safety officer may order the cessation of such an exercise if exposure exceeds safe thresholds.

(2) - Briefing members of such Armed Forces, before an exercise, regarding the health risks of blast exposure and mitigation protocols (including minimum safe distances).

(3) - Overseeing the use of personal protective equipment and wearable sensors by such members during such an exercise.

(4) - Investigating blast overpressure incidents, reporting findings, and coordinating with health care providers to address risks to the health of affected members.

(5) - Maintaining blast overpressure exposure logs to support future mitigation.

(6) - Coordinating with range safety officers and personnel.

(c) Assignments - The Secretary of a military department concerned shall assign a blast safety officer to each special mission unit in each such Armed Forces.

(d) Training; certification - A blast safety officer shall receive training and maintain a certification in blast safety.

119-HR5188

To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish blast safety officer positions in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force.

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 5188

1. Establishment of blast safety officer positions