PART 23

PROTECTION IN CONSTRUCTION, DEMOLITION AND EXCAVATION OPERATIONS
(Statutory authority: Labor Law, §§27-a, 27, 29)
 

SUBPART 23-11     USE OF EXPLOSIVES

23-11.1     General requirements
23-11.2     Preparations for blasting
23-11.3     Loading or charging operations
23-11.4     Blasting or firing operations
23-11.5     Re-entry of blasting area
 

SUBPART 23-11
USE OF EXPLOSIVES

Historical Note

Subpart added, filed May 30, 1972 eff. June 1, 1972.

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§ 23-11.1 General requirements.

[Additional statutory authority: Labor Law, §§200, 241, 24l-a, 242]

(a) Application of Subpart. The provisions of this Subpart apply to all construction, demolition and excavation operations in which explosives are used in addition to the provisions of Industrial Code Part (rule) 39 relating to the "Possession, Handling, Storage and Transportation of Explosives" as well as the provisions of Article 16 of the Labor Law printed with said Part (rule) 39.
Note: The detonation of explosives near pipes conveying combustible gas is subject to the pro-
visions of section 322-a of the General Business Law §§760 et seq.

(b) The blaster. At each construction, demolition or excavation site where explosives are being used, a person shall be designated by the employer, owner, contractor or his agent to perform the duties of a blaster as specified hereinafter and no person other than the blaster shall perform such duties. Every blaster shall hold a certificate of competence issued by the commissioner pursuant to the provisions of Industrial Code Part (rule) 39.

(c) Handling explosives. Only the blaster and competent persons designated by the owner of the explosives or his agent, under the general supervision of the blaster shall handle explosives.

(d) Prohibited explosives. Black powder, straight nitroglycerin and deteriorated or frozen dynamite are prohibited for use in any construction, demolition or excavation blasting operations.

Historical Note

Sec. added, filed May 30, 1972; amd. (b). filed June 22, 1973 eff. Aug. l, 1973. Amended

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§ 23-11.2 Preparations for blasting.

(a) Equipment inspection. Each day before being used all blasting equipment shall be inspected by the blaster. All equipment defects which may affect the safety of any person shall be corrected before such equipment is used.

(b) Drilling. (1) Drilling area inspection. The area in which drilling is to be performed shall be inspected for hazards before any drilling is started in such area.

(2) Drill movement. When any drill is being moved from one location to another the drill steel, tools and other equipment shall be secured and the mast shall be placed in a safe position.

(3) Drill crews. All persons shall stay clear of augers or drill stems which are in motion. Persons shall not pass under or step over any moving auger or drill stem. Persons shall not be located on the mast while the drill is in operation.

(4) Drill attendants. Drills shall be attended at all times during operation.

(5) Power failure. In all cases of power failure drill controls shall be placed in neutral positions until power is restored.

(c) Drill holes. (1) Size of holes. All drill holes shall be of sufficient size for the explosives being used. The size shall be such that the explosive cartridges shall easily reach the bottom of the hole without forcing or ramming.

(2) Hole hazard. Drill holes large enough to constitute a falling hazard shall be covered or guarded if left unattended prior to blasting.

(3) Deepening holes. Drilling in any hole that has at any time contained explosives is prohibited.

(4) Hole intersection. Holes shall not be drilled where there is a danger of intersecting any charged or misfired hole.

Historical Note

Sec. added, filed May 30, 1972 eff. June 1, 1972.

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§ 23-11.3 Loading or charging operations.

(a) The charging or loading of explosives into holes shall only be performed by or under the general supervision of the blaster.

(b) Explosives shall not be brought into the blasting area until immediately before the holes are to be loaded and when other preliminary work has been completed.

(c) The loading of holes shall be followed by firing without undue delay.

(d) Explosives shall be kept separated from detonators until loading is started.

(e) The amount of explosives brought into the blasting area shall be limited to the amount necessary for the blast. If after loading, however, there are any unused explosives or detonators, they shall be removed to a safe distance from the blasting area.

(f) No activity of any nature other than that is required for loading holes with explosives shall be permitted in a blasting area.

(g) Explosives shall not be removed from original wrappers before being loaded into the holes except when irregularities of holes prevent the use of whole cartridges with safety or in blockholing where small charges are desirable. This subdivision shall not apply to free running explosives.

(h) The blaster shall be responsible for the control of explosives and detonators in the blasting area to prevent theft or loss and for the return of unused explosives and detonators to the magazine.

Historical Note

Sec. added, filed May 30, 1972 eff. June 1, 1972.

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§ 23-11.4 Blasting or firing operations.

(a) Firing. The firing of any explosive shall be performed only by the blaster.

(b) Detonator connection. (1) All detonator connections shall be made by the blaster or a designated competent person under his direct supervision.

(2) The leg wires of detonators shall be kept short-circuited until connected to a blasting circuit or to leading wires. The power source end of such blasting circuit or leading wires shall be short-circuited during the time connections are being made at the holes and until attached to the blasting machine or to the power circuits.

(c) Blasting circuits. (1) Ungrounded and insulated. All electric circuits used for the firing of explosives shall be ungrounded circuits and shall be thoroughly insulated. Deteriorated or damaged wire shall not be used in any blasting circuit.

(2) Testing of blasting circuits. Before firing, electric blasting caps and blasting circuits shall be tested. Such tests shall be performed only by the blaster. Such testing shall be performed by the use of a blasting galvonometer designed for the testing of blasting circuits.

(3) Firing switch. When firing explosives by means or a blasting circuit, such firing shall be controlled by a switch located outside the danger zone. Such switch shall be fixed in position and wholly enclosed in a tight box which shall be kept locked at all times except when firing. No person other than the blaster shall have access to the switch. Such switch shall be provided with a short-circuit in the "OFF" position and shall be so arranged that the box can be locked only when the switch is in the "OFF" position.

(4) Blasting circuit plugs. Each blasting circuit shall be broked in at least one place on the incoming side of the switch by a gap of at least five feet at all times during the firing operation. The connections at such gap shall be made by means of plugs.

(d) Blasting machine. Blasting machines of any type and leading wires shall be under the direct supervision of the blaster. Every blasting machine shall be located a safe distance from the blasting area. Such safe distance shall be determined by the blaster. The leading wire shall not be connected to a blasting machine until immediately before the time of firing and shall be disconnected and short-circuited immediately after such firing.

(e) Firing by means of fuses. Firing of explosives by means of fuses shall be in compliance with the following requirements:

(1) Fuses shall not be less than 48 inches in length.

(2) Fuses shall not be kinked, bent sharply or handled in a rough manner.

(3) Fuses shall be cut and capped in safe, dry locations.

(4) Blasting caps shall be crimped to fuses only by means of tools specifically designed for such purpose.

(f) Blasting mat. Wherever any person may be endangered from the material being blasted, such material shall be covered on all exposed sides with a strong woven matting of wire rope not less than one-half inch in diameter, or other equivalent covering which will be effective in preventing particles from being projected into the air by the blast.

(g) Blasting operations during electrical storms. All use and handling of explosives shall be stopped immediately upon the approach of an electrical storm and all persons in the blasting area shall immediately retire to a place of safety in a proper location designated by the blaster.

(h) Warning and retreat. Before the firing of any explosives all means of access to the blasting area shall be effectively guarded to exclude all unauthorized persons. The blaster shall then sound a warning distinctly audible to all persons within the blasting area. All such persons shall retire to a safe distance or to a safe shelter. Such safe locations shall be designated by the blaster. The blaster shall then examine the blasting area to make certain that all persons have retired therefrom to a designated place of safety. No blast shall be fired while any person is in the blasting area.

Historical Note

Sec. added, filed May 30, 1972 eff. June 1, 1972.

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§ 23-11.5 Reentry of blasting area.

(a) Permission required. No person shall return to a blasting area subsequent to firing until permitted to do so by the blaster as announced by an audible signal.

(b) Misfires. Immediately following the firing, the blasting area shall be examined by the blaster for evidence of misfired charges. In case of any misfired charge, all persons in the blasting area shall return immediately to the safe locations. The blaster shall report such misfire to his immediate superior. Such misfire shall be disposed of by the blaster in a safe and proper manner. Where a fuse has been used for firing, persons shall not return to misfired holes for at least 30 minutes. Where electric blasting caps have been used for firing, persons shall not return to misfired holes for at least 15 minutes.

(c) Reloaded holes. If it is necessary to reload and refire a hole for any reason, such reloading is permissible providing the temperature of such hole has been reduced to 150 degrees Fahrenheit or less either by water or by other means.

Historical Note

Sec. added, filed May 30, 1972 eff. June 1, 1972.