Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 3, September 1, 2024
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.
