2 Colo. Code Regs. § 407-2-6

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 24, December 25, 2024

Rule 2 CCR 407-2-6 - BLASTERS TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION

6.01GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

6.01.1Scope.

This section establishes the minimum requirements for the blaster training and certification program for the State of Colorado. The objectives of this section are to ensure that all surface blasting operations are conducted by trained and competent persons certified under a program which meets the minimum criteria established by applicable law.

As used in this Rule a certified blaster means a person certified under the requirements of Rule 6 to be directly responsible for the blasting operations in surface coal mining operations and surface blasting operations of underground coal mining operations. A certified blaster shall be familiar with the blasting requirements of Rule 2.05.3(6)(a) and Rule 4.08.

6.01.2Implementation.

No later than 12 months after the effective date of the U.S. Department of the Interior's final approval of Rule 6, each operator shall conduct each blasting operation under the direction of an individual who has been certified by the Department pursuant to this rule and who is familiar with the operations' blasting plan and the blasting performance standards. Prior to that time, all such blasting operations shall be under the direction of shotfirers certified by the State of Colorado.

6.01.3Duties of Blasters and Operators.

(1) A certified blaster may not delegate the responsibility for blasting operations to any individual who is not a certified blaster.

(2) A certified blaster must observe and supervise the detonation of each blast.

(3) A certified blaster shall produce on-site or at the mine office his certificate to any authorized representative of the Division or the Office of Surface Mining upon request.

(4) Blaster certifications are non-transferable.

(5) Certified blasters shall take every reasonable precaution to protect their certificates from loss, theft, or unauthorized duplication. Any such occurrence shall be reported immediately to the Division.

(6) Operators shall require that blasting crew members who are not certified blasters receive direction and on-the-job training from a certified blaster before those persons assist surface blasting operations.

6.02CERTIFICATION OF BLASTERS

6.02.1Requirements.

(1) Persons seeking certification as blasters shall submit an application on a form provided by the Division. The applicant must include a statement that he has experience in surface blasting operations and has successfully completed a training course meeting the requirements of Rule 6.03.1(2).

(2) The Division shall issue a blaster certification to each applicant who:

(a) Has practical field experience qualifying the person to accept the responsibility for blasting operations in surface coal mining operations. Such experience shall demonstrate that the applicant possesses practical knowledge of blasting techniques, understands the hazards involved in the use of explosives, and otherwise has exhibited a pattern of conduct consistent with the acceptance of responsibility for blasting operations; and

(b) Has successfully completed a blaster training course meeting the requirements of Rule 6.03.1 or a self-study course using materials specified by the Division; and

(c) Achieves a passing grade specified by the Division on an examination administered by the Division. The examination shall, at a minimum, cover all of the topics listed in Rule 6.03.1 and shall also incorporate questions based on practical field experience of blasting procedures and occurrences. An applicant who fails may retake the examination. If the applicant fails the examination a second time, he must complete the blaster training course again and reapply for certification before retaking the examination.

(3) Certifications expire five years after issuance. The Division shall recertify the blaster for a five year period if the blaster:

(a) Submits to the Division, at least 60 days prior to expiration of the certification, an application for recertification on a form provided by the Division; and

(b) Has successfully completed a refresher training course approved by the Division; or

(c) Provides evidence of sufficient experience of conducting or directing of blasting operations.

6.03 BLASTER TRAINING COURSES

6.03.1 Requirements.

(1) In order to qualify for certification, or recertification under Rule 6.02.1, an applicant must complete training or refresher courses meeting the requirements of (2) or (3), respectively, below.

(2) A blaster training course must provide training and discuss practical applications of:

(a) Use of explosives, including:

(i) Selection of the type of explosives to be used;

(ii) Determination of the properties of explosives which will produce the desired results at an acceptable level of risk; and

(iii) Handling, transportation, and storage;

(b) Design of blasts, including:

(i) Geologic and topographic considerations;

(ii) Blast hole design;

(iii) Pattern design, field layout, and timing of blast holes; and

(iv) Field applications;

(c) Loading of blast holes, including priming and boostering;

(d) Use of initiation systems and blasting machines;

(e) Effects of blasting vibrations, air blast, and fly rock, including:

(i) Monitoring techniques; and

(ii) Methods to control adverse effects;

(f) Use of secondary blasting;

(g) Discussions of current Federal and State rules applicable to the use of explosives;

(h) Maintenance of blast records;

(i) Determination of blasting schedules;

(j) Design and use of preblasting surveys;

(k) Requirements of blast plans;

(l) Certification and training;

(m) Signs, warning signals, and site control;

(n) Identification of unpredictable hazards, including:

(i) Lightning;

(ii) Stray currents;

(iii) Radio waves; and

(iv) Misfires.

(3) The Division shall ensure that training is available for persons responsible for the use of explosives in surface coal mining operations in all of the subjects listed in (2) above by maintaining a list of formal training courses and self study materials approved by the Division as providing the required training. This list shall be updated periodically.

(4) The Division will specify the requirements for refresher courses as required by Rule 6.02.1, which will include new developments in the areas listed above, as well as basic material covering one or more of the above topics.

6.04SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATIONS

(1) The following are grounds for suspension or revocation of blaster certification:

(a) Non-compliance with any order of the Department;

(b) Conviction of criminal possession or sale of dangerous drugs;

(c) Unlawful use in the workplace of, or current addiction to, alcohol, narcotics, or other dangerous drugs;

(d) Violation of any State or Federal explosives laws or regulations;

(e) Providing false information or misrepresentation to obtain a certification;

(f) Failure to present certification upon request of the Division or Office of Surface Mining personnel;

(g) Delegating responsibility for surface blasting operations to any individual who is not a certified blaster;

(h) Storage, transportation, or use of explosives in a manner that could threaten public health or safety or cause environmental harm.

(2) If the Division finds that a certified blaster has committed one or more of the acts prohibited in (1) above, the Division may, and upon a finding of willful conduct, shall, suspend or revoke certification of the blaster. The Division shall determine whether to suspend or revoke and the length of suspension on the basis of determination of reasonable necessity to protect public health or safety or to prevent environmental harm.

(3) If the Division has probable cause to believe that a certified blaster has committed any of the acts prohibited in (1) above, and that the blaster's certification should be suspended or revoked, the Division shall notify the blaster and his employer in writing by certified mail at the address contained in the blaster's application for certification, or at a subsequent address of which the blaster has notified the Division in writing. The blaster does not defeat service by refusing to accept or failing to pick up the notice. The notice shall advise the blaster of the Division's proposed action, the alleged facts upon which the proposed action is based, and the blaster's right to a hearing. If the Division determines that suspension of the blaster's certification is reasonably necessary to protect the public health or safety or the environment, it may suspend the certification until the hearing is held provided, however, that no such suspension may be in effect for longer than 45 days. At the close of the hearing, the Hearings Officer may, based on a finding that the Division will probably prevail and that continued suspension is reasonably necessary, continue the suspension until a final decision is made.

2 CCR 407-2-6