805 Ky. Admin. Regs. 4:135

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 805 KAR 4:135 - Blasting under compressed air

RELATES TO: KRS 351.350, 351.990

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 351.335 requires the Department for Natural Resources to promulgate rules and administrative regulations concerning the manufacture, transportation, sale, storage, or use of explosives and unassembled components of explosives, and the maintenance of such explosives which has a direct bearing on safety to life and property. This administrative regulation effects the provisions of that law.

Section 1. Blasting in Excavation Work under Compressed Air.

(1) Detonators and explosives shall not be stored or kept in tunnels, shafts, or caissons. Detonators and explosives for each round shall be taken directly from the magazines to the blasting zone and immediately loaded. Detonators and explosives left over after loading a round shall be removed from the working chambers before connecting wires are connected.

(2) When detonators or explosives are brought into an air lock, no employee except the powder-man, blaster, lock tender and the employees necessary for carrying, shall be permitted to enter the air lock. No other materials, supplies, or equipment shall be locked through with the explosives.

(3) Detonators and explosives shall be taken separately into pressure working chambers.

(4) The blaster or powderman shall be responsible for the receipt, unloading, storage, and on-site transportation of explosives and detonators.

(5) All metal pipes, rails, air locks, and steel tunnel lining shall be electrically bonded together and grounded at or near the portal or shaft, and such pipes and rails shall be crossbonded together at not less than 1,000-foot intervals throughout the length of the tunnel. In addition, each low air supply pipe shall be grounded at its delivery end.

(6) The explosives suitable for use in wet holes shall be water resistant and shall be in fume Class I.

(7) When tunnel excavation in rock face is approaching mixed face, and when tunnel excavation is in mixed face, blasting shall be performed with light charges and with light burden on each hole. Advanced drilling shall be performed as tunnel excavation in rock face approaches mixed face, to determine the general nature and extent of rock cover and the remaining distance ahead to soft ground as excavation advances.

805 KAR 4:135

2 Ky.R. 617; 3 Ky.R. 323; eff. 9-1-1976; TAm eff. 8-9-2007; Crt eff. 6-27-2018.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 351.335