Article 8 of the Saudi Explosives and Fireworks Law
المادة 8 من نظام المتفجرات والمفرقعات · الفصل الثاني: أحكام المتفجرات والمفرقعات
The article prohibits using individuals or guards from security guard companies to guard explosives without a permit from the Ministry of Interior.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز الاستعانة بأفراد أو حراس تابعين لشركات الحراسات الأمنية؛ للقيام بأعمال حراسة المتفجرات ، دون تصريح من الوزارة .
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 8 explained in plain English
This article deals with guarding explosives and places a restriction on using private guards. It provides that it is not permitted to use individuals or guards belonging to security guard companies to guard explosives without a permit from the Ministry, meaning the Ministry of Interior under Article 1.
In practice this means:
- Someone who owns or stores explosives under a permit may not contract with a security guard company to guard them until they have obtained a permit for that from the Ministry.
- The provision does not prohibit using guard companies altogether, but requires a prior permit.
- The article speaks of explosives without mentioning fireworks.
The reason for this restriction is that guarding explosives is a highly security-sensitive task, so it is not left to just any guard without the supervision of the competent authority.
The article does not state the guards' conditions or qualifications, but Article 10 refers to the Regulations the specification of the conditions, procedures, technical and security specifications and safety requirements that must be met in guarding explosives and those who carry out the guarding. The Regulations should therefore be consulted for these details.
The article is linked to other provisions in Chapter Two regulating the duties of authorized persons, including Article 9, which confines blasting work, supervising it and operating fireworks equipment to authorized persons. Anyone who needs to arrange guarding for explosives in their possession can consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases to learn the legal requirements.
Practical example
A quarry company in Qassim owns an explosives warehouse under a permit and wanted to contract with a security guard company to secure the warehouse at night. It may do so only after obtaining a permit from the Ministry of Interior to use these guards.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 8 of the Saudi Explosives and Fireworks Law
May a guard company be contracted to guard explosives?
Yes, after obtaining a permit from the Ministry of Interior, and not without one.
Where do I find the conditions for explosives guards?
Article 10 refers to the Regulations the specification of the conditions and specifications relating to guarding explosives and those who carry it out.
More articles on Obligations of the Authorized Person
- Article 6
The article requires an authorized person who manufactures, imports, exports or uses explosives to keep special records of them in accordance with the forms and procedures set by the Regulations.
يجب على المصرح له بصناعة المتفجرات ، أو استيرادها، أو تصديرها، أو استعمالها، أن ينظم لها سجلات خاصة، وفقا للنماذج والإجراءات التي تحددها اللائحة .
- Article 7
The article requires an authorized person who exports explosives to obtain the approval of the relevant authorities in the importing country, certified by the Kingdom's representation in that country.
يجب على المصرح له بتصدير المتفجرات ، الحصول على موافقة الجهات المعنية في البلد المصدرة إليه، مصدقة من ممثلية المملكة في ذلك البلد.
- Article 9
The article confines blasting work, supervising it and operating fireworks equipment to authorized persons.
لا يجوز - لغير الأشخاص المصرح لهم - مزاولة أعمال التفجير، أو الإشراف عليها، أو تشغيل أجهزة الألعاب النارية.
- Article 10
The article refers to the Regulations the conditions, procedures, technical and security specifications and safety requirements for transporting, using, storing and guarding explosives, professional permits and fireworks displays.
تحدد اللائحة الشروط والإجراءات، والمواصفات الفنية والأمنية، ومتطلبات السلامة، الواجب توافرها في الآتي: أ - نقل المتفجرات ، والوسائط التي تنقلها. ب - استعمال الم
- Article 29
The article leaves it to the Implementing Regulations to set the fee for the Ministry's services in guarding explosives and fireworks during transport, storage or use, taking quantities and distances into account.
تحدد اللائحة المقابل المالي للخدمات التي تقدمها الوزارة لحراسة المتفجرات و المفرقعات أثناء النقل أو التخزين أو الاستعمال، على أن يؤخذ في الاعتبار الكميات والمسا
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.