BOSH

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Topic: EXPLOSIVE SAFETY

Duration : 60 minutes
 EXPLOSIVE SAFETY

General contents:

1. Handling, storage and use of

explosive
 AGENDA

• OBJECTIVES
• INTRODUCTION
• RESPONSIBILITIES
• STORAGE
• TRANSPORTATION
• USE
• DETERIORATION AND DISPOSAL
• HEALTH HAZARDS AND CONTROL
MEASURES
 AGENDA

OBJECTIVES
- To learn the basic knowledge about
proper storage, transportation, use and
disposal of explosives.
- To be able to identify health hazards
caused by the explosives and;
- To learn some control measures.
 INTRODUCTION

• The use of explosives within

construction is extensive, and when
large or small quantities have to be
handled, the responsibilities falling upon
the supervisory staff are considerable.
• Those responsible must consider the
acquisition, storage, transporting,
handling, and use of explosives as well
as the procedures to be adopted in the
case of misfire, accident, or fire.
 RESPONSIBILITIES

• Duties of the employee;

• To take part only in those jobs for which he
has been trained;
• To utilize the equipment provided for both
his personal protection and the protection of
property;
• To follow the company standards and
procedures insofar as they concern him;
• To follow the instructions of the blasting
foreman; and
• To ensure that his actions do not place either
himself or other employees in danger.
 RESPONSIBILITIES

• The blasting foreman or shot firer

shall;
- Personally responsible for the blasting
work and for the safe handling and
storage of explosives, fuses, and other
blasting equipment which are to be
used by himself or others.
 RESPONSIBILITIES

• The blasting foreman or shot firer

shall;
- The blasting foreman must ensure that
no unauthorized person is allowed
access to the blasting site; that all
explosives are carefully guarded so
that they are inaccessible to others,
and that a safe standby location has
been designated
 RESPONSIBILITIES

• Care must be taken, when handling and

transporting explosives;
- To ensure that they do not come into
contact with any source of ignition;
- Smoking during charging or within
30.5 meters (100 ft.) of explosives is
forbidden.
- Caps and blasting agents shall never
be transported in the same vehicle.
 STORAGE

Four criteria for the storage of

explosives:
• Security
• Safety
• Prevention of fumes which could be
hazardous to health; and
• Government requirements.
 STORAGE

Explosives must be stored with strict

observance of the government
regulations.
• Storage places must be maintained
in good and clean condition.
• The general security of the area
must be maintained.
 STORAGE

(Explosives must be stored with strict observance of the

government regulations cont’d.)
• Keys must be secured so that
unauthorized persons cannot obtain
them.
• Magazine area shall be located away
from high frequency radio signals to
prevent ignition/detonation.
• The magazine area shall be located a
safe distance from residential and
industrial areas.
 STORAGE

Explosives must be stored in such a manner

that they are not subjected to;
• Shocks;
• Tearing
• Undue heat, or
• Other stresses likely to cause them to;
 Explode,
 To burn unintentionally, or
 To deteriorate to a dangerous
condition.
 STORAGE

• During storage and handling, explosives

should, where possible, be kept closed
in the manufacturer’s packing.
Cartridge explosives in an inner cover
should only be separated from the cover
immediately before use.
• Lighting and ventilation in storage
places shall be of such a nature that
there is no risk of ignition or explosion
through heating or electric current.
 STORAGE

• Explosives must not be stored with any

other materials apart from the tools and
implements necessary for the cleaning
and, maintenance of the storage area.
• No work may be carried out in storage
rooms other than that necessary to put-
in and take-out the explosives. Where
any other work is to be done, the
storeroom must be emptied and cleaned
out before such work is started.
Unpacking of any crate shall be done
away from the Magazine Area.
 STORAGE

• Easily legible and conspicuous notices

with the words “No Smoking-
EXPLOSIVES” must be erected at the
approaches to and within storage areas.
 TRANSPORTATION

• Vehicles used for the transportation of

explosives shall not be loaded beyond
rated capacity and the explosives shall
be secured to prevent shifting of load or
dislodgment from the vehicle. In all
open-body types of vehicles, the
explosives shall be covered with a fire-
resistant tarpaulin.
 TRANSPORTATION

• All vehicles transporting explosives

shall be marked with reflectorized
placards on both sides, the front and
rear, and the word EXPLOSIVES in red
letters not less than 4 inches (10.16 cm)
high on a white background.
 TRANSPORTATION

• Blasting caps or other detonators shall

not be transported with other explosives,
unless the blasting caps are in a closed
steel box having a 2” (5.08 cm) wood
lining and separated at least 2 feet (.61
m) from other explosives.
 TRANSPORTATION

• All vehicles used for transportation of

explosives shall be in the charge of and
operated by a person who is physically
fit, careful, reliable, able to read and
understand instructions, and not
addicted to the use of intoxicants and
narcotics.
• No spark producing tools, carbides, oils,
matches, firearms, electric storage
batteries, flammable substances, acids,
or oxidizing or corrosive compounds
shall be carried in the bed or body of any
vehicle transporting explosives.
 TRANSPORTATION

• Vehicles to be used in the transportation

of explosives shall be in good repair.
When steel or part steel bodies are used,
non-sparking cushioning materials shall
be employed to separate the containers
of explosives from the metal.
 TRANSPORTATION

• Vehicles transporting explosives shall

be equipped with one or more fire
extinguishers having a rating of 10-
A:B:C placed at strategic points. The
extinguishers shall be approved by a
nationally recognized test laboratory
such as Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc.
or Factory Mutual Engineering Corp.,
filled and ready for use.
 TRANSPORTATION

• A vehicle containing explosives shall not

be taken into a garage or repair shop or
parked in congested areas or stored
overnight, or at any other time, in a
public garage or similar building.
• All vehicles shall be inspected before
transporting explosives and all electric
wiring completely protected and
securely fastened to prevent short
circuits. A written record of such
inspection shall be kept on file.
 TRANSPORTATION

• Vehicles transporting explosives shall

be operated with extreme care. Full
stops shall be made at approaches to all
railroad crossings and main highways
and the vehicles shall not proceed until
it is known that the way is clear.
• Only the authorized driver and his helper
shall permitted to ride on trucks
transporting explosives or detonators.
 TRANSPORTATION

• No vehicle shall be refueled while

explosives are on the motor vehicle
except in an emergency.
• Persons employed in the transportation,
handling or other use of explosives shall
not smoke or carry in their persons or in
the vehicle, matches, firearms,
ammunition, or other flame producing
devices.
 USE

SHOT FIRERS
• Shot Firers must not be less than 21
years of age and must be fully
experienced in the controlled application
of explosives for the particular type of
work to which they are assigned and be
duly licensed from their country of
origin.
• Must be appointed in writing, and a
written set of general rules, applicable
to his specific work, must be handed to
each man with his letter of appointment.
 USE

SHOT FIRERS
- Before firing, the shot firer must ensure
that lookout men are posted on all
approaches to the blast area and within
hearing distance of the warning siren.
The warning signals to be given must be
understood by all men on site. Close
proximity procedures shall be in effect
for all blasting operations that occur
near Company facilities such as
overhead power lines, oil/gas pipelines,
and occupied buildings.
 USE

SHOT FIRERS

• When preparations for firing are complete and

the shot firer is satisfied that all men and
machines are outside the danger area, the shot
firer shall sound the warning siren before
testing and firing the charges.

• Where electrical blasting caps are used, no

radio transmissions will be allowed within 500
meters (1641 feet) of the blast area, and blasting
work will not take place when there is likelihood
of electrical storms in the area.
 USE

SHOT FIRERS
• After blasting has been carried out, the
shot firer shall inspect the site and
satisfy himself that there are no misfires
before sounding the all clear signal.
• A full procedure for dealing with misfires
shall be established prior to any blasting
work taking place. In the case of a
misfire, no person other than the shot
firer will be allowed to return to the site
until the misfire has been satisfactorily
dealt with.
 DETERIORATION AND
DISPOSAL

 From time to time, it is necessary to

dispose of explosives, which have been
adversely affected by prolonged storage,
atmospheric conditions, or
contaminated by other products.
Whenever possible, the manufacturers
should be consulted regarding the
disposal of large amounts of
deteriorated stocks. It will, however,
sometimes be necessary for the
contractor to arrange for the destruction
of small quantities.
 DETERIORATION AND
DISPOSAL
Nitroglycerine Explosives (Dynamite, etc.)

• A visual examination is usually sufficient

to determine whether such explosives
are fit for use or should be destroyed.
• Nitroglycerine gelatins tend to darken
with age, and this effect is accentuated
at the cartridge ends where moisture has
been absorbed.
 DETERIORATION AND
DISPOSAL
Nitroglycerine Explosives (Dynamite, etc.)
cont’d.

• It is essential that such explosives or

contaminated cases not be subjected to
any physical shock during
transportation and disposal.
• The most effective means of disposing
of small quantities of deteriorated
explosives of this nature is by burning.
 DETERIORATION AND
DISPOSAL
Nitroglycerine Explosives (Dynamite, etc.)
cont’d.
• It must be clearly understood that,
although burning is a common method
of disposal, there is always the hazard of
the burning process changing to
detonation.
• This is likely to happen if the explosive
becomes confined, increasing the risk
of “hot-spots” within the burning mass.
 DETERIORATION AND
DISPOSAL

Nitroglycerine Explosives (Dynamite, etc.)

cont’d.
• Burning must be carried out under
controlled conditions and under the
supervision of experienced personnel.
• The explosives, wrapping material, and
cases must be burned separately; crates
must be carefully unpacked and spread
out before burning.
 AMMONIUM NITRATE
EXPLOSIVES

• Deterioration in this type of explosive

takes the form of either hard caking and
setting or excessive softening and
liquefaction. Both effects are caused by
moisture.
• Hard caking is the result of the
absorption of moisture followed by
drying and is particularly marked where
the explosive is stored at high
temperatures.
 AMMONIUM NITRATE
EXPLOSIVES

• Ammonium Nitrate explosives are best

disposed of either by drowning in the
open sea or by burning in small
quantities.
• They do not burn easily as nitroglycerine
explosives, and it is normally necessary
to use larger quantities of paper,
shavings, and kerosene.
Note: The disposal of explosives must be closely
supervised at all times by a competent
person.
 HEALTH HAZARDS AND
CONTROL MEASURES

NITROGLYCERINE

• Nitroglycerine vapors may be absorbed

into the body by ingestion, inhalation, or
through skin contact.
 They can cause arterial dilation,
increased heart rate, and reduced
blood pressure, followed by nausea,
vomiting, and fatigue; in extreme
cases,
 They may produce central nervous
disorders.
 HEALTH HAZARDS AND
CONTROL MEASURES

NITROGLYCERINE

• They may desensitize the skin,

causing moderate irritations at site of
contact.
• These effects are likely to be more
marked, if the explosives contain an
anti-freeze additive.
 Control Measures

1. There should be local exhaust

ventilation of storage places in addition
to good general ventilation.
2. Workers should practice good personal
hygiene, e.g., always wash hands after
handling.
3. Personal Protective Equipment (gloves
and uniforms) should be supplied and
used.
 Control Measures

4. Any worker feeling unwell must

immediately report to his supervisor. He
should be removed from duty, and the
work method should be inspected to
ensure compliance with safe handling
procedures.

5. Employees in explosive stores should be

medically examined prior to
employment. Emphasis should be on
cardiac disorders, hypertension’s, and
neurotic disposition.
ExplosiveSafety