N.J. Admin. Code § 12:190-7.7

Current through Register Vol. 57, No. 1, January 6, 2025

Section 12:190-7.7 - Blasting in the vicinity of utility lines

(a) This section shall apply to:

1. Blasting operations in the vicinity of underground utility lines or exposed utility lines making contact with the earth's surface, which are, but not limited to, any of the following: gas, water, hydrocarbon, sewer, electric or telephone lines; and

2. Supporting foundations of utility lines when such utility lines are located above the earth's surface and the supporting foundations are in the vicinity of blasting operations.

(b) This section shall not apply to utility lines located above the earth's surface.

(c) The person conducting blasting operations shall make every reasonable effort to verify the exact location of utility lines located in the vicinity of such operations.

(d) When any person conducting blasting operations has no verification of the location of utility lines in the vicinity of such operations, but it is reasonable to assume that there are utility lines, the person conducting the blasting operations shall make a concentrated effort to locate the lines with regard to their horizontal distance from the nearest blast hole and their depth below the earth's surface.

(e) Whenever blasting is being conducted within 50 feet of electric, water, sewer, fire alarm, telephone, telegraph or steam utilities, the person conducting the blasting operations shall notify the appropriate representatives of such utilities at least 24 hours in advance of such blasting. Verbal notice shall be confirmed with written notice.

(f) Whenever blasting is being conducted within 200 feet of a railroad, the person conducting the blasting operations shall notify the appropriate representative of the railroad 24 hours in advance of such blasting. Verbal notice shall be confirmed with written notice.

(g) Whenever blasting is being conducted within 200 feet of any pipe distributing liquefied petroleum, manufactured, mixed or natural gas, the person conducting blasting operations shall notify the gas utility company having control of such gas at least three full working days (excluding Sundays or holidays) prior to blasting. Such notice shall be in writing and served personally or by registered mail.

(h) Whenever blasting is conducted on a single project for a period longer than one day, a single notice of intention shall constitute compliance with (e), (f), and (g) above.

(i) Any person conducting blasting operations in the vicinity of utility lines shall use:

1. A blast hole drilling pattern and blast initiation procedure that will provide the greatest relief possible in the direction away from the utility line; and

2. A type of explosive specifically designed to prevent propagation between blast holes.

(j) All blasting operations in the vicinity of underground utility lines shall be conducted as follows:

1. The blast hole depth in the initial excavation shall be limited to the elevation of the top of the utility line plus one-half of the distance from the nearest blast hole to the utility line.

2. Subsequent excavations shall be limited to one-half the horizontal distance from the nearest blast hole to the utility line.

3. Under the conditions described in (j)1 and 2 above, the diameter of the blast hole shall not exceed three inches, and only one blast hole may be fired per delay period.

4. When a free face has been established to the finished depth of the trench, the provisions described in (j)1 and (j)2 above shall not apply.

N.J. Admin. Code § 12:190-7.7

Administrative correction.
See: 29 New Jersey Register 566(a).
Amended by R.1998 d.110, effective 3/2/1998.
See: 29 New Jersey Register 4624(a), 30 New Jersey Register 847(a).
Deleted (e) and recodified (f) through (k) as (e) through (j).