Bill > HR5188

This bill requires the Secretary of Defense to establish blast safety officer positions across all major military branches (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force) by September 30, 2026. The blast safety officers will have comprehensive responsibilities focused on protecting military personnel during live-fire and explosive exercises, including monitoring and mitigating blast and overpressure exposure, which can cause significant health risks. Specifically, these officers will have six key duties: they can halt exercises if blast exposure exceeds safe levels, brief personnel about health risks and safety protocols before exercises, oversee personal protective equipment and sensor usage, investigate blast incidents, maintain exposure logs, and coordinate with range safety personnel. The bill mandates that each special mission unit in these military branches will have a dedicated blast safety officer, and these officers must receive specialized training and maintain certification in blast safety. This legislation stems from growing concerns about the long-term health impacts of repeated blast exposure on military personnel, particularly during training exercises involving explosives or live-fire scenarios.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5188/all-info