NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document
City of New York Department of Design and Construction
WTC EMERGENCY PROJECT
Environmental Health and Safety Bulletin Bulletin #4-Rcv.l
Discovery of Projectiles (Ammunition)
To date, only small caliber ammunition has been recovered primarily around WTC #6.
Ammunition consists of several components; the case material (brass or aluminum), the
projectile (lead), and the primer and propellant. When ammunition is exposed to fire or
temperatures above 392 degrees F. the primer and propellant can ignite. The round will
“pop”, which may produce fragments of the case. The case fragments might act as a
low-velocity projectile. During most tests the projectile was found next to the case
material. The case material may be sharp and could result in cuts to unprotected skin. It
is possible to strike the primer in a way that would cause the ammunition to discharge as
if it was in a firing chamber of a weapon. Treat each discovered weapon as if it was
loaded.
In the event that weapons or ammunition are discovered on the site the
following procedure shall be followed immediately:
• Evacuate the area (minimum 100-foot radius).
• Notify your supervisor.
• Supervisors shall notify NYPD or PAPD immediately.
• EXCEPT FOR TRAINED PERSONNEL, DO NOT HANDLE ANY
DISCOVEREDAMMUNITIONORWEAPONS
Construction personnel working directly on the debris field (e.g., burning,
digging, etc.) within one hundred feet of areas where ammunition or guns
have been located, shall follow the following precautions:
• Wear a leather (or similar material) coat and gloves.
• Use a full face shield
• Wear a hard hat
• Use hearing protection
For further information on this subject contact the NYPD or PAPD.
NYC-WTC_000165891
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