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Blasting Safety Procedures | Precautions

November 21, 2009


The following safety rules and regulations will be strictly adhered to:

  1. Only authorized, qualified and experienced personnel shall handle explosives.
  2. No person shall be allowed to handle, use, or work in the area while under the influence or suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  3. No flame, heat, or spark-producing device shall be permitted in or near explosives during handling, transport or use.
  4. Original containers or class II magazines shall be used for transport of detonators o explosives from magazine storage area to blast site. Detonators and explosives shall be transported in separate vehicles.
  5. Every reasonable precaution shall be taken to notify landowners or residents within 1,000 feet of the right-of-way and owners of adjacent facilities (pipelines, cables, power lines, etc.) and both Contractor’s and the Company’s employees. Warning signs, with lettering a minimum of 4 inches in height on a contrasting background, will be erected and maintained at all approaches to the blast area. Flaggers will be stationed on all roadways passing within 1,000 feet of the blast area to stop all traffic during blasting operations. All personnel not involved in the actual detonation shall stand back at least 1,000 feet and workers involved in the actual detonation shall stand back 650 feet from the time the blast signal is given until the “ALL CLEAR” has been sounded. Audible blasting signals such as an air horn or siren shall be sounded before and after each blast. The following blasting signals will be used during blasting:

• WARNING SIGNAL – A one (1) minute series of long horn or siren blasts five minutes prior to the blast imminent signal.

• BLAST SIGNAL – A series of short horn or siren blasts one minute prior to the shot detonation.

• ALL CLEAR SIGNAL – A prolonged horn or siren blast (15 seconds duration) following the inspection of the blast area

  1. Blasting shall be performed during daylight hours only.
  2. Blasting will concur within the environmental guidelines of the project and the site-specific requirements.
  3. Lightning detectors will be located in the blasting area.
  4. Drill holes shall not be left loaded overnight, unless security personnel are left on site and site lighting is provided. Detonators will not be connected to blasting agents and left overnight. This practice is strongly discouraged.
  5. Empty packing material shall not be used again for any purpose and disposal shall be at an approved location.
  6. Damaged or deteriorated blasting supplies shall not be used.
  7. Delivery and issue of explosives shall be made by and to only authorized persons and into authorized magazine or temporary storage or handling areas.
  8. All loading and firing will be directed and supervised by a competent and experienced person.
  9. All blasting by safety fuse or non-electric shall follow standard industry guidelines in regard to use and safety.
  10. Precautions will be taken to minimize the potential hazard of a premature detonation due to induced currents by using only non-electric blasting methods.
  11. Blasting mats or back fill material must be utilized to control fly-rock damage to surrounding structures.

Written by admin · Filed Under Civil 

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