Plainby woman finds unused explosives while cleaning up after husband dies

After finding the deadly items the woman thought she should bury them, but luckily she called the explosives regulator first.

An elderly Plainby woman found three detonators and about 10m of detonator cord. in her farm shed after her husband passed away.

Three detonators and about 10m of detonator cord were safely removed from the community after an elderly woman made the potentially deadly discovery at her Plainby home.

The woman found the explosives in a farm shed after her husband died.

Her son suggested burying the explosives, before she saw a story about Resources Safety and Health Queensland in the news and reported the find to the authorities instead.

The article was about a recent explosives safety day where dozens of police, mining staff and state regulators gathered Helidon to learn about the range of explosives found in the community.

Those items included the detonators found by the woman, along with black powder, ammonium nitrate and gelignite, traditionally used to clear trees.

RSHQ’s Deputy Chief Inspector of Explosives Snezana Bajic said the woman’s story is not uncommon.

The three detonators.

A 10m roll of detonator cord.

“This is something our explosives inspectors hear all the time,” Ms Bajic said.

“A relative, usually on a farming property in Queensland, passes away and then their loved ones find explosives but aren’t sure what to do with them.

“Our advice is to always err on the side of caution even if it’s a small amount of explosives because those little items can do a great deal of damage.

“Definitely don’t bury explosives and don’t try to transport them yourself.

“Call us on 1300 739 868, even if you aren’t sure what you’ve located, and we will send an explosives inspector to assist.”

Seized explosives are taken to a secure location and destroyed by RSHQ explosives inspectors.