Which of the following is a recommended practice when handling explosives?

Handling explosives requires a heightened sense of safety and awareness because of the potential risks involved. The recommendation to treat explosives as if they are loaded weapons emphasizes the importance of caution and respect for the materials. This approach ensures that individuals maintain a disciplined mindset, minimizing careless behavior that could lead to accidents.

By considering explosives as loaded weapons, handlers are more likely to follow strict safety protocols, such as wearing appropriate protective gear, ensuring proper handling techniques, and being aware of their surroundings. This mentality helps instill a culture of safety, crucial for preventing mishaps in a field where the consequences of mismanagement can be severe.

The other options do not align with best safety practices as effectively. For instance, while wearing a helmet is important in certain scenarios, it alone does not encapsulate the comprehensive safety mindset required for handling explosives. Keeping explosives in a humid environment is unsafe, as moisture can damage explosives or their containment. Inspecting surroundings is certainly a good practice but it is just one aspect of the broader safety considerations necessary when dealing with dangerous materials like explosives.