805 Ky. Admin. Regs. 4:125

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 6, December 1, 2024

Section 805 KAR 4:125 - Firing the blast

RELATES TO: KRS 351.330, 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 these explosives which have a direct bearing on safety to life and property. This administrative regulation establishes the safety procedures to be used prior to detonation of a blast, including warning signals, control of access to the blast area, and procedures for clearing the area around the blast.

Section 1. Firing the Blast.

(1) A code of blasting signals equivalent to Table U-1 shall be posted at one (1) or more conspicuous places at the operations, and all employees shall be required to familiarize themselves with the code and conform to it. The blaster shall ensure that this code is communicated clearly to all persons who may enter the danger zone surrounding the blast area. Danger signs shall be placed at all entrances to the blast area.

TABLE U-1

WARNING SIGNAL - A one (1) minute series of long blasts five (5) minutes prior to the blast signal. BLAST SIGNAL - A series of short blasts one (1) minute prior to the detonation. ALL CLEAR SIGNAL - A prolonged blast following the inspection of the blast area.

(2) The device used to issue the warning signals shall be loud enough to be heard by all persons in the danger zone around the blast, and shall have a sound distinctive enough to be readily identified. Ordinary truck and automobile horns shall not be used as warning signals.

(3) Before a blast is fired, the blaster in charge shall:

(a) Make certain that all surplus explosives are in a safe place;

(b) Make certain that all persons, vehicles, and equipment are at a safe distance or under sufficient cover; and

(c) Give a loud warning signal.

(4) No person shall remain in an area within the danger zone after being requested to leave by the blaster in charge or by a state explosives and blasting inspector.

(5) Flagmen shall be safely stationed on highways which pass through the danger zone to stop traffic during blasting operations.

(6) It shall be the duty of the blaster to fix the time of blasting and to determine the area constituting the danger zone around the blast within which the warning signals shall be audible.

(7) If necessary for public safety, the department may require the blaster to submit a written plan describing the warning signals, notification procedures, and access control methods to be used on a particular blast site.

(8) Before firing an underground blast, warning shall be given, and all possible entries into the blasting area and any entrances to any working place where a drift, raise or other opening is about to hole through, shall be carefully guarded. The blaster shall make sure that all persons are out of the blast area before detonating a blast.

805 KAR 4:125

2 Ky.R. 616; 3 Ky.R. 364; eff. 9-1-1976; 4 Ky.R. 307; eff. 5-3-1978; 29 Ky.R. 187; 712; eff. 9-16-2002; TAm eff. 8-9-2007; Crt eff. 6-27-2018.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 351.335