Blasting & Flyrock Awareness Recognizing the Hazards Prevent injury to people Prevent damage to...

Blasting & Flyrock AwarenessRecognizing the Hazards

Prevent injury to people

Prevent damage to property

Blasting activities are carefully regulated by several governmental agencies.

Legal Standards

OSHA29 CFR Part 1910 - General Industry29 CFR Part 1926 - Construction

MSHA56.6000 - 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

___ 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.

Every sites warning signals are unique!!

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

Check the distance!!

North

Jones

Residence

690 Feet

Permit Area

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.

Flyrock is caused by a mismatch of the distribution of the explosive energy, geomechanical strength

of rock mass, and confinement.

A B C D E

Optimum Depth

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 ReminderInspect, 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


Ensure that any vehicle used to transport explosives is properly secured and attended.


Verify that inventories of explosives are correct

Copy is maintained in magazine with duplicate at mine office


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.

Review facility’s security measuresAre further measures necessary to protect explosives from theft?



Post proper authorities phone

numbers in conspicous locations


Periodically inspect magazines for evidence of tampering or theft


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

Blasting & Flyrock Awareness Recognizing the Hazards Prevent injury to people Prevent damage to...

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