How are explosives categorized regarding hazards?

Explosives are categorized regarding hazards primarily based on their stability, sensitivity, and potential harm. This classification system is essential for understanding the risks associated with different types of explosives, as it helps in determining how they behave under various conditions, their likelihood of accidental detonation, and the extent of damage they can cause upon explosion.

Stability refers to how well an explosive can withstand external influences without reacting, sensitivity indicates how easily an explosive can be initiated by heat, shock, or friction, and potential harm evaluates the consequences of an explosion, including blast pressure, fragmentation, and toxic effects. This thorough approach to categorization ensures that safety measures and handling protocols can be established to mitigate risks associated with explosives during manufacturing, transport, storage, and use.

The other choices focus on size, shape, origin, or manufacturing dates, which are not reliable indicators for assessing the hazards posed by explosives. These factors do not provide a comprehensive understanding of an explosive’s safety profile or potential dangers.