4^th TEXAS REGIMENTAL ARTILLERY

GENERAL SAFETY RULES

June 6, 1998

1. No member of the gun crew may take part in blank or live fire for a period of 8 hours after consuming alcohol. Any crew member showing signs of incapacitation that could pose a safety hazard, including that caused by alcohol, drugs, sickness, physical or mental disability, or fatigue, SHALL NOT be allowed to take part in firing exercises.

2. The established safety zone for blank firing is: A. No person except authorized crew members within a 50 foot radius circle centered at the lunette of the piece. B. No one at all, including photographers, reporters, and lawyers, inside a cone of 45 degrees each side of the muzzle and 75 yards in length. This cone is three dimensional.

3. Any member of the gun crew, or of the audience, may order HALT THE ADVANCE if any safety violation is noted,

4. Except for HALT THE ADVANCE, the GUNNER is the only person who can issue orders to the crew when at their posts; and absolutely the only person within the universe who can order the piece fired. All crew members, including the CHIEF OF PIECE, must convey their requests and orders through the GUNNER.

5. At no time shall primers and powder be within the same box, chest, or haversack at the same time.

6. There shall be no loose powder, not even one grain, in the ammunition chest or haversack.

7. A NO SMOKING safety zone of a 25 foot radius circle, centered on any container with powder or primers, must be maintained at all times.

8. When it is necessary to transfer a powder charge or primers between authorized containers, the containers shall be open only the minimal time required for the transfer. The ammunition chest shall be closed from the time any GUNNER on the line orders READY until 10 seconds after the gun has fired.

9. There shall never be more than one powder charge in a haversack at a given time,

10. Powder charges shall not exceed 2 ounces of cannon grade or Fg black powder per inch of bore diameter. Charges shall be wrapped in a plastic baggie for moisture protection, then wrapped in at least four layers of heavy duty aluminum foil for spark protection.

11. No charge shall be introduced into the muzzle unless at least three minutes have passed since the last shot was fired. All safety time requirements must be measured using a calibrated timing device.

12. In the case of a misfire at least three minutes must pass before re-priming. If a charge fails to ignite after three primers, the vent and bore shall be flooded with water and then the cartridge removed from the bore, If practical, this is done by tilting the muzzle down and dumping the cartridge onto the ground, This is the preferred method. If this can not be done, the charge shall be wormed by the CHIEF OF PIECE. The cartridge is then submerged in the water bucket and retained for later examination as to cause of failure.

13. Access to powder and live primers must be controlled. Except when in use, powder and primers shall be kept in locked boxes. Powder and primers, even in locked boxes, shall never be left unattended where unauthorized personnel have access.

14. All gun crew members shall wear ear protection during firing.

15. Immediately prior to blank firing the entire crew shall perform at least one dry drill with each cannoneer manning the position he will fill during the actual firing. Drill will continue until all crew members are satisfied that it is safe to proceed.

16. Whenever a live round or a blank is to be fired the people in the Number 1 and the Number 2 positions on the muzzle will wear heavy leather gloves and wool on the upper portion of the body. (I.e., heavy gloves and a wool tunic or heavy wool shirt) It is preferred that anyone in those positions wear only cotton or preferably wool in all their clothing. No synthetics materials such as nylon or polyester should be used in any exposed clothing.