Prevent injury to people

Prevent damage to property

Blasting & Flyrock Awareness Recognizing the Hazards

Blasting activities are carefully regulated by several governmental agencies.

Legal Standards
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910 - General Industry 29 CFR Part 1926 - Construction
MSHA 56.6000 - Metal & Non-Metal Mines

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

DOT

Blaster Qualifications
Knowledge and Experience
Training Physical Ability Evidence of Competency

Basic Blasting Terminology

Blaster-in-Charge Blasting Plan Blast Area Flyrock Early-Warning Signal Final-Warning Signal All-Clear Signal

Rock blasting is the controlled use of explosives to excavate or remove rock. It is a technique used most often in mining and civil engineering.

Blaster-in-Charge

Best Practices: ensuring that all personnel have evacuated the blast area
during shot firing;
using adequate blasting shelters for employees whose presence is required in the blast area controlling and monitoring all entrances to the blast area; ensuring that the blast is properly designed, drilled, and loaded; and emphasizing education and training to enhance skill levels for implementation of engineering control techniques.

Weather Conditions

Conduct Pre-Blast Meeting

Review of weather conditions Communicate number of holes Calculate bags per hole Discuss reasons to turn off electronic devices Review personnel location Discuss stemming process Discuss gas and fume releases

Remind those working alone to stay

in communication w/supervisor

Stemming

Blasting Shelter

Drilling Blast Holes

Storage of Explosives

Transport of Explosives

An example of a firing pattern which provides separate delay time for the blastholes and gives good fragmentation as well as good breakage.

Blast Area

Understanding Warning Signals & Signs

Two warnings are common HOWEVER, some sites use only one signal!

Early-Warning Signal
Every sites warning signals are unique!!

___ minutes before shot is fired. Warns holes have been loaded with
explosives and prepared.

Means blast area is clear, guards have

stopped traffic into area.

Blast crew inspects grounds to make sure

no people or equipmen is in the blast area.

Final-Warning Signal
___ minutes before
firing.

Timing is different on
each site.

Radio silence is
necessary.

Guards will halt blast

if they sight anyone in area.

All-Clear Signal
Blaster can't order the all-clear signal just
yet.

The blaster must inspect the area to see if

there are any misfires.

It may take minutes, hours or days to

determine if there is a misfire.

Stay out until the All-Clear signal sounds.

Warning Signals
Be alert and share information

Know the blasting time, blast area

and clearing procedure; and

Do not enter the blast area

until an all-clear signal is sounded.

Blast Logs - Recorded Evidence

The location of the blast within the permit area allows the regulator to verify the distance.
Know the location of the blast Check the distance!!
690 Feet Jones

Permit Area

Residence

North

Rock blasting in northern Ontario to make way for new highway upgrades. The six exposures were taken over a span of 3 seconds. This animation is displayed over 6 seconds.

Excavation crews working on sites involving blasting operations may be exposed to the hazards of undetonated charges during removal of blasted rock.

Optimum Depth

Flyrock is caused by a mismatch of the distribution of the explosive energy, geomechanical strength of rock mass, and confinement.

A professional baseball pitch averages 90 mph, or slightly faster. Flyrock has been clocked at 400 mph. Can you dodge that?

Protect Yourself!
July 2002 - West Virginia A truck driver and his supervisor were watching a blast from 1/2 mile away waiting for the "all clear" signal. A rock slammed into the front windshield and exited the rear. It somehow missed both people. No one was hurt.

PPE
Hard hat Safety-toed shoes Reflective vest Safety glasses Gloves Hearing protection

MSHA Part 48
State of Alaska: 11 AAC 95.335. Blasting Standards (a) A person may not discharge an explosive in the following areas without first obtaining a variation under 11 AAC 95.235: (1) Type A or Type B stream riparian areas in Region I; and (2) within all riparian areas in Region II or III. (b) During blasting, an operator shall minimize the amount of flyrock materials deposited into fish-bearing waters.
Authority: AS 41.17.010 AS 41.17.080

Explosives Security Reminder

Inspect, verify each magazine is properly secured according to all applicable regulations, company policy, as well as manufacturers recommendations

Explosives Security Reminder

Report missing explosives immediately

Explosives Security Reminder

Ensure that any vehicle used to transport explosives is properly secured and attended.

Explosives Security Reminder

Verify that inventories of explosives

are correct Copy is maintained in magazine with duplicate at mine office

Explosives Security Reminder

Verify persons identify before allowing them to enter explosive magazines or review inventory records

Explosives

Misfires found during the post-blast inspection

Exclude all employees from danger zone. No other work except that required to clear the misfire. Only the Blaster-in-Charge handles all the sequence of events following a misfire.

Extra care must be taken, as the designed pattern

HAS changed.

Explosives Security Reminder

Review facilitys security measures

Are further measures necessary to protect explosives from theft?

Explosives Security Reminder Post proper authorities phone numbers in conspicous locations

Explosives Security Reminder

Periodically inspect magazines for evidence of tampering or theft

Explosives Security Reminder

Immediately report shortages, loss or theft of any explosive material to:

1-888-ATF-BOMB

Conclusion:
Good communication between the driller, blaster, access control guard, and miners is the key to a safe blasting operation.

Thank you for your participation.

Other regulated operations

Underground transportation of
explosives - 1926.903 Use of safety fuse - 1926.907 Use of detonating cord - 1926.908 Underwater blasting - 1926.912

Blasting in excavation work under

compressed air - 1926.913