SAFETY IN HANDLING

OF EXPLOSIVES &
BLASTING

Author: Partha Das Sharma, B.Tech – Hons. (sharmapd1@gmail.com)

 THIS LESSION WILL INCLUDE

1. Introduction to Blasting Safety

2. Safety in Storage of Explosives
3. Safety in Transportation of Explosives
material
4. Safety in Handling of Explosives
5. Guidelines for general safety requirement
6. DOs and DON’Ts in handling of explosives
A WISE MAN LEARNS FROM THE MISTAKES OF

OTHERS

There are old explosives workers

There are foolish explosives workers

BUT

There are no old foolish explosives workers

 Definition

EXPLOSION!
EXPLOSION!
EXPLOSION!
EXPLOSION!
EXPLOSION!

Sudden release of pressure

MECHANICAL CHEMICAL
Balloon TNT
Bean Can Black Powder
Boiler EXPLOSION: Hand Grenade
3 kinds
Tire Dynamite
Cat Detonator
“The Bomb”
THERMONUCLEAR
INTRODUCTION TO BLASTING SAFETY

Explosives are tools that, when used

properly, benefit mankind.
However, its improper use, transportation
and handling can be disastrous.
Prevention of explosives accidents depends
on careful planning and faithful observance of
proper blasting practices.
 BLASTING SAFETY (Contd.)

The users must remember that they are

dealing with a powerful force and that various
devices and methods have been developed to
assist them in directing this force.
The slightest abuse or mis-direction of use
of explosives may cause serious injury or kill
yourself or others.
Explosive safety depends on a thorough
knowledge of explosives and common sense.
Safety in Storage of Explosives
All explosives, and initiators like detonators must
be stored in magazines that have been constructed,
approved, and licensed in accordance with local,
state and federal regulations.
Magazines must be kept locked at all times, except
when explosive materials are delivered into the
magazine or removed for delivery to the blasting
site.
The interior of an explosives magazine must be
kept scrupulously clean and must be constructed,
covered or lined to prevent the exposure of any
ferrous metals or gritty materials.
Safety in Storage of Explosives (Contd.)
Detonator products must not be kept in a store or
receptacle in which explosives or safety fuses,
igniter cords are stored.
Admittance to the magazine must be restricted;
only authorized persons must have access to the
keys of storage magazines.
Maintaining accurate records of explosive is
essential.
Assure that stock are being used properly, the
oldest stocks should be used first.
Safety in Storage of Explosives (Contd.)

The magazine and the area within at least 10m of

the magazine must be kept clean.
Smoking, open flame, matches, or other flame-
producing devices are strictly prohibited inside or
within minimum 20m of storage magazines or
explosive materials.
Any article or substance likely to cause a fire or
explosion must be kept out of and at a safe
distance from an explosives magazine.
Safety in Transportation of Explosives Material

Vehicles used for transporting explosive

materials must be in good mechanical condition,
with particular attention given to tires, brakes, the
electrical system, steering, and chassis.
Explosive material should be transported in an
approved closed-body vehicle.
The body of the vehicle hauling explosives
should be lined with wood or other non-sparking
material.
Safety in Transportation of Explosives (Contd.)

Explosives carried in a vehicle must be in a

fully enclosed, locked, fire resistant fixed
container or compartment, separate from the
passenger compartment.
Passengers, other than those assigned to
assist in handling explosives, are not permitted
on a vehicle transporting explosives.
A conveyance transporting explosives must be
equipped with at least 2 fire extinguishers, of a
type capable of quickly extinguishing gasoline,
oil, or electrical fires, as per the Regulation.
Safety in Transportation of Explosives (Contd.)

Explosives should not be transported in the

same truck with detonators.
Speed also should be kept within the prescribe
limit, while moving the vehicle.
As far as possible, the filling up of fuel is to be
avoided when it is loaded with explosives.
As far as possible, the explosives laden truck
should be avoided from entering into crowded
areas while transportation.
Safety in Transportation of Explosives (Contd.)

Electric detonators must be transported in their

original containers, with their leg wires shunted,
as shipped by the manufacturer.
Contact between packages containing
explosives and exposed ferrous metal in a
conveyance must be prevented by the use of
wood, tarpaulin, or other suitable dunnage
materials.
Safety in Transportation of Explosives (Contd.)

Before explosives are transported, the

employer must establish suitable written
emergency procedures, and must ensure that all
workers who may be affected are adequately
instructed in the procedures.
A vehicle transporting explosives must not be
operated or permitted to operate if the load to be
transported exceeds rated carrying capacity for
the vehicle.
Safety in Transportation of Explosives (Contd.)

Explosives must not be transported in a trailer.

The operator of a vehicle transporting
explosives must, before crossing a railroad track
protected by an automatic signal device, reduce
the speed of the vehicle and establish that the
crossing can be made in safety.
Explosives must not be loaded on or in a
vehicle unless the vehicle has been fully serviced.
Safety in Transportation of Explosives (Contd.)

When a vehicle carrying or containing

explosives is to be parked overnight, the
premises in which the vehicle will be parked must
not be used for any other purpose which may
involve any substance likely to cause explosion
or fire.
Such a parking premises must be away from
habitation and buildings that contain flammable
materials.
Safety in Handling of Explosives

Explosive materials must be stored,

transported, handled and used in the manner
recommended by the manufacturer.
Explosive materials or accessories which have
deteriorated, or are believed to be defective, must
not be used and must be handled and disposed
of in a safe manner following the manufacturer's
recommendations.
Safety in Handling of Explosives (Contd.)

Explosive materials and accessories must not

be abandoned, but must be placed in suitable
storage space as per the instruction of
manufacturer.
Smoking is prohibited within minimum 15 m
(50 ft) of where explosives are stored, being
handled, or are in loaded holes.
Open flame ignition sources must not be
permitted within 15 m (50 ft) of where explosives
are stored, being handled, or are in loaded holes,
unless the blaster of record gives consent.
Safety in Handling of Explosives (Contd.)

All empty explosives containers must be

disposed of by burning or as recommended by
the manufacturer.
Containers, known or suspected to contain
explosives or explosive residue, must be handled
with care to prevent undue impact or exposure to
excessive heat or flame.
Guidelines for General Safety Requirements

Nothing in this Part relieves an employer of the

responsibility to provide adequate direction and
instruction of workers, and to assign work only to
those workers who are competent.
Companies must establish and apply safety
rules addressing both general safety and safety
particular to Explosives Transportation,
Handlings and blasting practices.
Safety rules, specific to an operation must be
posted and observed.
ROLE OF TRAINING
Guidelines for General Safety Requirements (Contd.)

REQUIREMENT OF TRAINING:
•Personnel both site operators, blasters etc., and
management must be familiar with the safety rules and
safe practices of a particular operation.
• Employees must be trained to carryout the normal tasks
and have the requisite knowledge to take quick and good
decisions in an emergency.
• A worker engaged in loading, unloading, or conveying
explosives must be trained in the proper means for
handling the explosives, the hazards of fire and
mishandling and the procedures to follow in the event of
a fire or explosion.
Guidelines for General Safety Requirements (Contd.)

REQUIREMENT OF TRAINING (Contd.):

• In order to impart proper training, a formal training
programme must be prepared; the training
requirements to be identified; course prepared (both
theoretical and practical); critical safety procedures
and controls should be identified in the course.
• In addition, the training programme should address
the needs of First-aid, General safety induction and
any other subject in support of operational safety.
Guidelines for General Safety Requirements (Contd.)

REQUIREMENT OF REPORT:
• Reports of dangerous incidents must be made
promptly to the concerned Authorities.
• If a blasting accident occurs which causes personal
injury, or if there is any other dangerous incident
involving explosives, whether or not there is
personal injury, the employer must report the
incident immediately to the concerned Authorities.
• Reports must incorporate all the information
required by the Authorities.
 NOTIFY

Mishaps:
Fire, Explosion, Fatality, Injury, Gov Property Damage
 OBSERVE
Watch for potential problems during normal duties

PERFORM SAFE PRACTISES

Report concerns to the Superior

Guidelines for General Safety Requirements (Contd.)

REQUIREMENT OF STATUTORY CERTIFIED PERSONNEL:

• Only the holder of a valid blaster's certificate or competent
personnel as per the concerned Authorities is permitted to
conduct or direct a blasting operation; only if the work
involved is within the scope of that certificate.
• All work within the blasting area must be done under the
authorization of the designated blaster of record responsible
for that area. Blasters must record daily activities in a log.
• A blaster may be assisted by persons who do not hold
blaster's certificates, but the blaster must have authority over
the assistants and must exercise visual supervision over them
and be responsible for their work during explosive loading,
priming, fixing or firing.
DAMAGE MECHANISMS
Fragments

Fireball

Overpressures
EXPLOSIVE TRAINS
T N T

Primer/ Relay/ Booster Bursting Charge

Initiator Delay

Very Little Little Power More Power Very Powerful

Power
Very Less Least
Sensitive Sensitive Sensitive Sensitive
 OVERPRESSURES
DETONATION

TIME
AMBIENT
DEFLAGRATION
PRESSURE

AIR
+- PRESSURE

Air Molecule Density

SAFE DISTANCE CONCEPT

HAZARDOUS FRAGMENTS

FIREBALL
Safe Distance
OVERPRESSURES
TEAMWORK
SO YOU CAN WORK SAFELY
AND
WE CAN BE MORE EFFICIENT
"DOs AND DON'Ts” in handling of Explosives
When Transporting Explosives:
1. DO obey all laws and regulations.
2. DO see that any vehicle used to transport explosives is
approved and in proper working condition.
3. DON'T permit metal, except approved metal truck bodies,
to contact cases of explosives.
4. DON'T allow smoking or unauthorized or unnecessary
persons in the vehicle.
5. DO load and unload Explosives carefully. Never throw
Explosives from the vehicle.
6. DO see that no Explosives, including detonating fuse, are
transported along with blasting caps and/or electric
blasting caps/detonators.
7. DON'T drive trucks containing explosives through cities,
towns or villages.
"DOs AND DON'Ts” in handling of Explosives
When storing Explosives:
8. DO store explosives in accordance with laws and
regulations.
9. DO store explosives only in a magazine which is clean,
dry, well ventilated, reasonably cool, properly located,
substantially constructed, bullet and fire resistance and
securely locked.
10. DON’T store blasting caps or electric blasting caps in the
same box, container or magazine with other explosives.
11. DON’T allow leaves, grass, brush, or debris to accumulate
within 25 feet of an explosives magazine.
12. DO locate explosives magazines in the most isolated
places available. They should be separated from each
other, and from inhabited buildings, highways, and
railroads, by distances not less then those recommended
in the Explosives rules.
"DOs AND DON'Ts” in handling of Explosives
When using Explosives :
13. DON’T use sparking metal tools to open kegs or
wooden cases of explosives.
14. DON’T smoke or have matches, or any source of
fire or flame, within 100 feet of an area in which
explosives are being handled or used.
15. DON’T place explosives where they may be
exposed to flame, excessive heat, sparks or impact.
16. DON’T carry explosives in the pockets of your
clothing or elsewhere on other person.
17. DON’T handle, use or be near explosives during
the approach or progress of any electrical storm. All
persons should retire to a place of safety.
18. DON’T use explosives or accessories, equipment
that are obviously deteriorated or damaged.
"DOs AND DON'Ts” in handling of Explosives

When Preparing The Primer:

19. DON’T make up primer in a magazine, or near
excessive quantities of explosives, or in excess in
immediate needs.
20. DON’T force a blasting caps or an electric blasting
caps into dynamite. Insert the cap into a hole made in
the dynamite with a punch suitable in the purpose.
21. DO make up primes in accordance with proven and
established methods. Make sure that the cap shell is
completely encased in the dynamite or booster and so
secured that in loading no tension will be placed on
the wires or fuse at the point of entry into the cap.
"DOs AND DON'Ts” in handling of Explosives
When Drilling and Loading :
22. DO comply with applicable regulations relative to
drilling and loading.
23. DO carefully examine the surface or face before
drilling to determine the possible presence of unfired
explosives. Never drill into explosives.
24. DO check the borehole carefully with a wooden
tamping pole or a measuring tape to determine its
condition before loading.
25. DO recognize the possibility of static electrical
hazards from pneumatic loading and take adequate
precautionary measures. If any doubt exists, consult
your explosives supplier.
26. DON’T stack surplus explosives near working
areas during loading.
"DOs AND DON'Ts” in handling of Explosives

27. DON’T force explosives into a borehole or

through obstruction in a borehole. Any such practice
is particularly hazardous in dry holes and when the
charge is primed.
28. DON’T slit, drop, deform or abuse the
primer. DON’T drop a large size, heavy cartridge
directly on the primer.
29. DO avoid placing any unnecessary part of the
body aver the borehole during loading.
30. DON’T load any borehole near electric power lines
unless the firing line, including the blasting cap wires,
is so short it cannot reach the power wires.
31. DON’T connect blasting caps, or electric blasting
caps, to detonating fuse except by methods
recommended by the manufacturer.
"DOs AND DON'Ts” in handling of Explosives
When Shooting Electrically :
32. DON’T uncoil the wires or use electric blasting caps
during dust storms or near any other source of large
charges of static electricity.
33. DON’T uncoil the wires or use electric blasting caps in
the vicinity in of radio frequency transmitters, except at
safe distances.
34. DO keep the firing circuit completely insulated from the
ground or other conductors such as bare wires, rails, pipes
or other part of stray currents.
35. DON’T have electric wire or cables of any kind near
electric blasting caps or other explosives except at the
time and for the purpose of firing the blast.
36. DO test all the circuit of blasting caps, either single or
either connected in a series circuit, using only a blasting
galvanometer specifically designed for the purpose.
"DOs AND DON'Ts” in handling of Explosives

Explosives Disposal:
37. DON’T abandon any explosives.
38. DO dispose of or destroy explosives in strict
accordance with approved methods.
39. DON’T leave explosives, empty cartridges, boxes,
liners, or other materials used in the packing of
explosives lying around where children or
unauthorized persons or livestock can get at them.
40. DON’T allow any wood, paper, or any other
materials employed in packing explosives to be burned
in a stove, a fireplace, or other confined space, or to be
used for any purpose. Such materials should be
destroyed by burning at an isolated location out of
doors and no person should be nearer than 100 feet
after the burning has started.
THANKS