Nebraska Administrative Code
Topic - STATE PATROL
Title 272 - NEBRASKA STATE PATROL
Chapter 8 - USE OF EXPLOSIVES
Section 272-8-001 - Use: General

001.01 The handling of explosives shall be performed under the direction of a person holding a valid and subsisting permit from the Nebraska State Patrol to use explosives.

001.02 It is the responsibility of the owner of explosives or the person in possession of a storage permit or a business enterprise permit or a user's permit to control the explosives and the use thereof. The owner of explosives or the one storing explosives under the authority of a storage permit or a person holding a user's permit or a business enterprise purchase permit must control his or her explosives by keeping an accurate and continuing inventory of all explosives. The record of this inventory must be kept on file a minimum of five years. It is the responsibility of all owners of explosives or employers of agents, employees, or subcontractors using explosives, or all who store explosives, to employ people only of good judgement, that know how to handle explosives safely. It is the responsibility of the person in the immediate control of explosives or the owner or user of explosives to take such steps as necessary to insure that such explosives are not finding their way into the hands of unauthorized persons. No person shall handle explosives while under the influence of intoxicating liquors, narcotics, or marijuana.

001.03 While explosives are being handled or used, smoking shall not be permitted and no one near the explosives shall possess open lights or other fire or flame, except devices for lighting safety fuse.

001.04 Any wood, paper, or other materials employed in packing explosives that contains or is contaminated with explosive material shall not be burned in a stove, fireplace, or other confined space, or be used for any purpose. Such materials shall be destroyed by burning at an isolated location out of doors, and no person shall be nearer than 100 feet after burning has started.

001.05 Only electric blasting caps, detonating cord systems, shock tube systems or gas initiating systems shall be used to initiate blasts in congested districts, on highways, or adjacent to highways open to traffic. In no such instance shall initiation by cap and fuse be permitted.

001.06 When blasting is done in congested areas or in close proximity to a structure, railway, or highway or any other installation that may be damaged, the blast shall be covered before firing with a mat so constructed that it is capable of preventing fragments from being thrown. When such blasting is being carried out near a highway, the operator may, in lieu of using a mat, and with the permission of local authorities, block the roads adjacent to the firing area while such firing is in progress.

001.07 The person in control of a blasting operation must keep an accurate blasting record for each blast. The blasting record shall record the job location, date, time of blast, weather conditions, type of blast, type of materials blasted, type and size cartridge of explosives used, number of holes, diameter of holes, hole depth, and total quantity of explosives fired instantaneously or by a delay interval. These records must be kept a minimum of five years.

001.08 Persons authorized to prepare explosives charges or conduct blasting operations shall use every reasonable precaution, including but not limited to warning signals, flags, barricades, or woven wire mats to insure the safety of the general public and workmen.

001.09 Blasting operations, except by special permission of the Nebraska State Patrol, shall be conducted only during the daylight hours.

001.10 Whenever blasting is being conducted in the vicinity of gas, electric, water, fire alarm, telephone, telegraph and steam utilities, the owner, "User", or employer shall notify the appropriate representatives of such utilities, at least 24 hours in advance of blasting, specifying the locations and intended time of such blasting. Verbal notice shall be confirmed with written notice. In an emergency, this time limit may be waived by the Nebraska State Patrol.

001.11 Due precautions shall be taken to prevent accidental discharge of electric blasting caps from current induced by radar, radio transmitters, lightning, adjacent power lines, dust storms, or other sources of extraneous electricity. These precautions shall include:

001.12 Explosives or blasting equipment that are obviously deteriorated or damaged shall not be used.

001.13 No explosives shall be abandoned.