Ariz. Admin. Code § 11-1-271

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section R11-1-271 - Use of Explosives and Blasting Agents, General Provisions

A. The handling of explosives may be performed by the person designated to use explosives or by other employees under his direct supervision provided that such employees are at least 18 years of age. Persons who use or handle explosives or detonators shall be experienced men who understand the hazards involved; trainees shall do such work only under the supervision of and in the immediate presence of experienced men. Blasting operations shall be under the direct control of authorized persons.

B. Containers of an approved type shall be used for taking detonators and other explosives from storage magazines to the blasting area.

C. Persons authorized to prepare explosive charges or conduct blasting operations shall use every reasonable precaution, including but not limited to warning signals, flags, barricades or blasting mats to ensure the safety of mine personnel.

D. Due precautions shall be taken to prevent accidental discharge of electric blasting caps from current induced by radio transmitters, lightning, dust storms, or other sources of extraneous electricity. All surface, shaft sinking, and tunneling blasting operations shall be suspended and persons removed from blasting area during the ominous approach and progress of an electrical storm, when electric detonators are used.

E. Empty containers and paper and fiber packing materials which have previously contained high explosives shall not be used again for any purpose but shall be destroyed by burning out-of-doors, and no person shall be nearer than 100 feet after the burning has started.

F. Explosives, blasting supplies, or blasting accessories that are obviously deteriorated or damaged shall be destroyed in a safe manner under the instructions of the explosives or blasting agent manufacturer or its designated agent.

G. Explosives or blasting supplies shall not be abandoned. While temporarily unattended, they shall be marked with red flags or some other suitable means of warning persons.

H. Capped primers shall be made up at the time of charging and as close to the blasting site as conditions allow.

I. Fuses shall be cut and capped in safe, dry locations posted with "No Smoking" signs.

J. Fuse shall not be ignited before the primer and the entire charge are securely in place.

K. If any part of a blast is connected in parallel and is to be initiated from powerlines or lighting circuits, the time of current flow shall be limited to a maximum of 25 milliseconds by incorporating a control device in the blasting circuit or by interrupting the circuit with an explosive charge attached to one or both lead lines and initiated by a zero-delay electric blasting cap.

L. Black blasting powder should not be used for blasting except when a desired result cannot be obtained with another type of explosive such as in quarrying certain types of dimension stone.

M. Explosives shall be kept separate from detonators until charging is started.

N. Electric circuits from the blasting switches to the blast area shall not be grounded.

O. Lead wires and blasting lines shall not be strung across power conductors, pipelines, railroad tracks, or within 20 feet of bare powerlines. They shall be protected from sources of static or other electrical contact.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R11-1-271

Former Rule 2:71; Amended effective April 7, 1976 (Supp. 76-2). Amended effective August 18, 1980 (Supp. 80-4).