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
Permit Area
Check the distance!!
690 Feet Jones

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

A B C D E

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 person’s 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 facility’s 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