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| Use—Surface and Underground | 57.6300 – 57.6312 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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50 FR 4082, Jan. 29, 1985, unless otherwise noted.
61 FR 36801, July 12, 1996, unless otherwise noted.
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Subscribe to: 30 CFR Part 57 Subpart E - Use—Surface and Underground
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(a) Only persons trained and experienced in the handling and use of explosive material shall direct blasting operations and related activities.
(b) Trainees and inexperienced persons shall work only in the immediate presence of persons trained and experienced in the handling and use of explosive material.
Before loading, blastholes shall be checked and, wherever possible, cleared of obstructions.
Explosives and blasting agents shall be kept separated from detonators until loading begins.
(a) Primers shall be made up only at the time of use and as close to the blast site as conditions allow.
(b) Primers shall be prepared with the detonator contained securely and completely within the explosive or contained securely and appropriately for its design in the tunnel or cap well.
(c) When using detonating cord to initiate another explosive, a connection shall be prepared with the detonating cord threaded through, attached securely to, or otherwise in contact with the explosive.
(a) Tamping shall not be done directly on a primer.
(b) Rigid cartridges of explosives or blasting agents that are 4 inches (100 millimeters) in diameter or larger shall not be dropped on the primer except where the blasthole contains sufficient depth of water to protect the primer from impact. Slit packages of prill, water gel, or emulsions are not considered rigid cartridges and may be drop loaded.
Unused explosive material shall be moved to a protected location as soon as practical after loading operations are completed.
(a) When explosive materials or initiating systems are brought to the blast site, the blast site shall be attended; barricaded and posted with warning signs, such as “Danger,” “Explosives,” or “Keep Out;” or flagged against unauthorized entry.
(b) Vehicles and equipment shall not be driven over explosive material or initiating systems in a manner which could contact the material or system, or create other hazards.
(c) Once loading begins, the only activities permitted within the blast site shall be those activities directly related to the blasting operation and the activities of surveying, stemming, sampling of geology, and reopening of holes, provided that reasonable care is exercised. Haulage activity is permitted near the base of bench faces being loaded or awaiting firing, provided no other haulage access exists.
(d) Loading and blasting shall be conducted in a manner designed to facilitate a continuous process, with the blast fired as soon as possible following the completion of loading. If blasting a loaded round may be delayed for more than 72 hours, the operator shall notify the appropriate MSHA district office.
(e) In electric blasting prior to connecting to the power source, and in nonelectric blasting prior to attaching an initiating device, all persons shall leave the blast area except persons in a blasting shelter or other location that protects them from concussion (shock wave), flying material, and gases.
(f) Before firing a blast—
(1) Ample warning shall be given to allow all persons to be evacuated;
(2) Clear exit routes shall be provided for persons firing the round; and
(3) All access routes to the blast area shall be guarded or barricaded to prevent the passage of persons or vehicles.
(g) Work shall not be resumed in the blast area until a post-blast examination addressing potential blast-related hazards has been conducted by a person with the ability and experience to perform the examination.
Explosive material shall not be loaded into blastholes with drill stem equipment or other devices that could be extracted while containing explosive material. The use of loading hose, collar sleeves, or collar pipes is permitted.
Initiation systems shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
(a) Liquid hydrocarbon fuels with flash points lower than that of No. 2 diesel oil (125 °F) shall not be used to prepare ammonium nitrate-fuel oil, except that diesel fuels with flash points no lower than 100 °F may be used at ambient air temperatures below 45 °F.
(b) Waste oil, including crankcase oil, shall not be used to prepare ammonium nitrate-fuel oil.
When a misfire is suspected, persons shall not enter the blast area—
(a) For 30 minutes if safety fuse and blasting caps are used;
(b) For 15 minutes if any other type detonators are used; or
(c) For 30 minutes if electronic detonators are used, or for the manufacturer-recommended time, whichever is longer.
[61 FR 36801, July 12, 1996, as amended at 85 FR 2027, Jan. 14, 2020]
(a) Faces and muck piles shall be examined for misfires after each blasting operation.
(b) Only work necessary to remove a misfire and protect the safety of miners engaged in the removal shall be permitted in the affected area until the misfire is disposed of in a safe manner.
(c) When a misfire cannot be disposed of safely, each approach to the area affected by the misfire shall be posted with a warning sign at a conspicuous location to prohibit entry, and the condition shall be reported immediately to mine management.
(d) Misfires occurring during the shift shall be reported to mine management not later than the end of the shift.
Secondary blasts fired at the same time in the same work area shall be initiated from one source.