5607.9.2 Safety precautions.
FC § 5607.9.2
The following safety precautions and procedures shall be observed at a blast site: 1. Only explosives approved by the commissioner may be used for blasting operations. Ammonium nitrate shall not be used as a blasting agent, except when approved for a specific blasting operation.
2.The quantity of explosives used in a blast shall be no more than necessary to accomplish the task and shall be approved by the department.
3.Blasting and job site personnel shall not fight fires in close proximity to explosives. All persons shall be removed to a safe area, the area affected by the fire shall be secured from entry, and the department shall be notified immediately.
4.Primers shall be made only at the blast site, as needed. They shall be kept separate from all other explosives at all times until placed into the boreholes.
5.Loading operations shall not take place on a cut or heading within 25 feet (7620 mm) of drilling or mucking operations.
6.When tunnel blasting is to be performed: 6.1. Advance or probe drilling shall be used to determine the nature of face ahead. Face shall be removed by the blaster using the smallest quantity of explosive necessary to achieve the desired blast. 6.2. Only the blasters, assistant blasters and loaders may transport explosives from the magazine to the blast site. 6.3. When blasting under compressed air is to be performed, detonators and high explosives shall be taken separately through the air lock with no other equipment to the pressure working chamber and immediately loaded. Unused explosives shall be returned to magazines before engaging the blasting circuit. 6.4. Before firing an underground blast, the blaster shall have guards posted to all entrances to the danger zone, including any drift, raise, or other opening that may be expected to hole through. 6.5. Only high explosives of Fume Class 1 shall be used in shaft, tunnel or under decking blasting operations.
7.When demolition blasting is to be performed, the building to be demolished, as well as adjacent buildings within the blast area, shall be searched just prior to the blast to ensure that they are unoccupied.
8.When submarine (underwater) blasting is to be performed: 8.1. The drill boat shall be moored outside of navigation channels at night, equipped with a hose reel line capable of reaching any point on the deck for protection against fires, and durable "NO SMOKING" signs in compliance with the requirements of FC 310 shall be conspicuously posted at approved locations on the boat. A red flag shall be flown during the day and approved United States Coast Guard warning lights shall be lit at night to indicate explosives storage aboard the drill boat. 8.2. Warning buoys shall be positioned to indicate areas blasting operations are being conducted. 8.3. Blasting operations shall cease while any marine traffic or divers are within a 1,500 feet (457 200 mm) radius of the drill boat.
9.Prior to the commencement of excavation blasting at a job site, and at such other time as the department may require, the blaster shall review with a department representative the blasting patterns to be utilized in connection with such blasting operations.
