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
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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.
Permit Area
Know the location of the blast
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