Blast Overpressure (BOP)

BOP is defined as the sharp, instantaneous rise above ambient atmospheric pressure resulting from an explosion. The explosion can be characterized as a high explosive detonation (e.g., breaching operations) or a low explosive deflagration from a weapon system firing. In terms of weapons, an explosion is produced from the chemical reaction occurring due to initiation of the propellant or explosive composition during a firing event causing the rapid expansion of gases above atmospheric pressure.

         Please see:  Health Risk Guidance for Blast Overpressure (BOP) Fact Sheet_2024_UPDATED_07162024.pdf

ATS Division industrial hygienists serve as the Subject Matter Experts and cognizant technical authority regarding the Industrial Hygiene aspects of Blast Overpressure Hazard through systems lifecycle for the Department of Navy.

Department of Defense Policy requires components to “Identify and track personnel who are potentially exposed to BOP in the Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System-Industrial Hygiene, prioritizing those personnel who possess an occupational specialty that, by nature of operational activities, regularly places them at increased risk of BOP exposures."

To comply with this policy, Navy IH will identify processes where BOP is a hazard, and enter this information within DOEHRS-IH. To aid the IH program office in doing this, ATS division has developed guidance, which can be found in the CAC enabled link below.

Blast Overpressure Support Documents for IH:

• DON IH WEAPON USE SURVEY FOR BOP 6.6.24
• IH FIELD GUIDE for BOP Process Identification and DOEHRS Entry 6.6.24
• Training BOP Powerpoint Process Identification DOEHRS entry 5.22.24
• NAVY Standardized IH Survey Report BOP Example 6.6.24

Contact the ATS BOP team:
usn.hampton-roads.navmcpubhlthcenpors.list.nmcphc-ATSBOPsupport@health.mil

​Additional Resources. Guidance and informational resources can be accessed online:

• DoD Safety and Occupational Health, Blast Overpressure (BOP) Program website, available at: https://denix.osd.mil/auth/soh/programs/bop/. 
• Training Resources and health information can be found on the Warfighter Brain Health Hub, available at: https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Centers-of-Excellence/Traumatic-Brain-Injury-Center-of-Excellence/Low-Level-Blast-Exposure​ ​