Section 690-248 - General shot-firing rules(a) Ignited gas.--When gas is ignited by a blast or a fire occurs, the shot-firer shall immediately extinguish it, if possible, and, if unable to do so, shall immediately notify the mine foreman of the fact and warn other individuals in the vicinity who might be endangered.(b) Shot-firer to provide notice to others.--When a shot-firer is about to fire a blast, he shall notify all individuals who may be endangered and shall give sufficient alarm so that any individual approaching may be warned of the danger.(c) Construction of charging and tamping tools.--All charging and tamping tools shall be constructed of nonsparking materials.(d) Disconnection from electricity.--Immediately after the firing of a shot, the firing leads shall be disconnected from the supply or source of electricity and shunted.(e) Preconditions to firing machine or battery.--No firing machine or battery shall be connected to the shot-firing leads unless: (1) All other steps preparatory to the firing of a shot have been completed.(2) All individuals have been moved to a place of safety.(3) No individual other than the shot-firer has made the connection.(f) Firing machine or battery in possession of shot-firer.--The shot-firer shall keep the firing machine or battery in his possession at all times while blasting.(g) Testing of blasting devices.--Frequent tests shall be made of all blasting devices to see that their capacity has not been decreased by use or accident.(h) Examinations for gas.--The shot-firer shall examine the place for gas and other dangers before and after firing each shot or blast.2008, July 7, P.L. 654, No. 55, §248, effective in 180 days [ 1/5/2009].