National Occupational Standards (NOS) are statements of the standards are performance individuals must achieve when carrying out functions in the workplace, together with specifications of the underpinning knowledge and understanding.
Explosives Substances and Articles National Occupational Standards (ESA NOS)
The ESA NOS were developed by the UK explosives industry, represented by a Standards Setting Body (SSB), with stakeholders gathered through the IExpE.
ESA NOS are the UK explosives industry competency benchmarks for safely working with explosives, substances and articles (ESA), where a substance becomes an article once processed into a form, shape or device.
ESA NOS provides a nationally recognised standard of best practice for anyone working with explosives in the UK (they have been adopted outside the UK as well e.g. Australia and the UN). The standards were developed by the SSB for the entire UK explosives industry, covering civilian, military, and private sectors. The standard provide assurance that individuals working with explosives have the necessary skills and competence to meet legal requirements, such as the UK’s Explosives Regulations 2014. Regulators like the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) review the competence of personnel against the ESA standards during inspections and investigations. There are 13 key roles across the industry, with each role allocated its own suite of standards. Each key role is broadly aligned with the explosives lifecycle so employees may fit several categories into their job role.
An individual seeking training or certification for working with explosives would first pursue a course aligned with the UK’s ESA NOS.
KR1 Research, Design and Development Creating new ESA and developing related processes and procedures
KR2 Safety Management Ensuring all activities involving ESA comply with safety policies, including classifying explosives and implementing risk control reassures
KR3 Test and Evaluation (trials) Conducting test and evaluation on ESA to ensure safety and performance standards
KR4 Manufacture Overseeing the processes for manufacturing ESA from preparing equipment to handling materials
KR5 Maintenance Managing and implementing inspection, repair and maintenance of ESA to ensure fit for purpose
KR6 Procurement Acquiring ESA in line with legal and safety requirements
KR7 Storage Handling the receipt, placement and dispatch of ESA
KR8 Transport Ensuring the safe movement of ESA within a facility or for off-site shipping
KR9 Facilities Managing the design, suitability and inspection of explosive facilities and sites
KR10 Other Applications Applying ESA for specialised purposes outside of the standard lifecycle, such as in demolition, mining or pyrotechnics
KR11 Disposal Implementing procedures for the safe disposal of ESA
KR12 Search and Clearance Locating and removing, or making safe ESA and other explosive hazards
KR13 General (generic) This role covers a range of fundamental functions including team-work, leadership, continuous improvement and workplace risk assessments
Competencies against the ESA NOS are typically assessed through on-the-job evaluation, a portfolio of evidence, and formal qualifications. For example, an employer may use a functional skills framework to draw evidence for:
Direct observation – A qualified assessor directly observes tasks carried out in the workplace.
Work product: Examples of work created.
Photographic, audio, or video evidence: Recorded activities, particularly where direct observation is impractical.
Professional discussions: Structured questioning by an assessor to confirm knowledge and understanding.
Previous recorded achievement: Evidence of prior training, experience, or qualifications.
Information coming soon.
