California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 7 - General Industry Safety Orders
Group 18 - Explosive Materials
Article 121 - Snow Avalanche Blasting
Section 5356 - Transporting Explosives and Handcharges

Universal Citation: 8 CA Code of Regs 5356

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Explosive materials shall be transported on public roads or highways in compliance with the United States Department of Transportation standards.

(b) When explosives or explosives components are transported in or on any vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, provisions shall be made to ensure that said explosives or containers cannot come into contact with the hot exhaust system.

(1) Only the ski lift operator and the deployment crew shall ride the ski lifts;

(2) A ski lift chair shall carry a blasting crew of no more then two persons and a maximum of 90 pounds explosive materials;

(3) Blasting crews carrying explosive materials shall be separated from other crews or personnel by a minimum of 300 feet when riding the ski lift;

(4) The ski lift operator and blasting crew shall be in direct communication at all times;

(5) The ski lift and slope shall be closed to the public and non-essential personnel.

(d) Handcharges and explosive materials shall be transported in the following:

(1) Avalanche blasting packs;

(2) Type 3 magazines; or

(3) The original shipping containers.

EXCEPTION: Fuse caps and capped fuses may be transported in padded shields or equivalent that will reduce or minimize the potential for shock induced detonation.

(e) Criteria for Avalanche Blasting Packs.

(1) The pack shall be constructed of water resistant, non-sparking and non-conductive material, or shall be treated to meet these requirements.

(2) The treatment of the avalanche blasting packs pursuant to subsection (e)(1) shall be according to manufacturer's recommendations.

(3) Packs shall be constructed with sufficient individual compartments to separate handcharges or explosives components from tools or other equipment or supplies which may be carried in the pack.

(4) Each compartment used for handcharges or explosives components shall have an independent closure means.

(f) Use of Avalanche Blasting Packs.

(1) Packs shall be inspected daily, prior to loading, for holes or faulty compartment closures. Defective packs shall not be used until repaired.

(2) Tools or other materials shall not be placed in any compartment which contains handcharges or explosives components.

(3) Fuse igniters shall be carried in a container or pouch completely separate from the blasting pack when the blasting pack contains handcharges, capped fuses, or other explosives components. Such container or pouch may be attached to the front of the blasting pack harness.

(4) Handcharges or explosives components shall not be stored or left unattended in avalanche blasting packs.

(5) Individual blasting team members shall not carry more than forty-five pounds of explosive materials in avalanche blasting packs.

1. Amendment of subsection (c), new subsection (d) and new NOTE filed 9-24-97; operative 10-24-97 (Register 97, No. 39).
2. Amendment of subsection (b) and new subsection (e) filed 7-11-2003; operative 8-10-2003 (Register 2003, No. 28).
3. Repealer and new section heading and section filed 10-10-2007; operative 11-9-2007 (Register 2007, No. 41).

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

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