Safety in Handling of Explosives and Blasting

SAFETY IN HANDLING OF EXPLOSIVES & BLASTING

Author: Partha Das Sharma, B.Tech – Hons. ([email protected])

THIS LESSION WILL INCLUDE

1. Introduction to Blasting Safety 2. Safety in Storage of Explosives 3. Safety in Transportation of Explosives material 4. Safety in Handling of Explosives 5. Guidelines for general safety requirement 6. DOs and DON’Ts in handling of explosives

A WISE MAN LEARNS FROM THE MISTAKES OF

OTHERS

There are old explosives workers There are foolish explosives workers

BUT There are no old foolish explosives workers

Definition

EXPLOSION! EXPLOSION! EXPLOSION! EXPLOSION! EXPLOSION! Sudden release of pressure

MECHANICAL CHEMICAL Balloon

TNT

Bean Can

Black Powder

Boiler

EXPLOSION: 3 kinds

Hand Grenade

Tire

Dynamite

Cat

Detonator “The Bomb”

THERMONUCLEAR

INTRODUCTION TO BLASTING SAFETY

Explosives are tools that, properly, benefit mankind.

when

used

However, its improper use, transportation and handling can be disastrous. Prevention of explosives accidents depends on careful planning and faithful observance of proper blasting practices.

BLASTING SAFETY (Contd.) The users must remember that they are dealing with a powerful force and that various devices and methods have been developed to assist them in directing this force. The slightest abuse or mis-direction of use of explosives may cause serious injury or kill yourself or others. Explosive safety depends on a thorough knowledge of explosives and common sense.

Safety in Storage of Explosives All explosives, and initiators like detonators must be stored in magazines that have been constructed, approved, and licensed in accordance with local, state and federal regulations. Magazines must be kept locked at all times, except when explosive materials are delivered into the magazine or removed for delivery to the blasting site. The interior of an explosives magazine must be kept scrupulously clean and must be constructed, covered or lined to prevent the exposure of any ferrous metals or gritty materials.

Safety in Storage of Explosives (Contd.) Detonator products must not be kept in a store or receptacle in which explosives or safety fuses, igniter cords are stored. Admittance to the magazine must be restricted; only authorized persons must have access to the keys of storage magazines. Maintaining accurate records of explosive is essential. Assure that stock are being used properly, the oldest stocks should be used first.

Safety in Storage of Explosives (Contd.) The magazine and the area within at least 10m of the magazine must be kept clean. Smoking, open flame, matches, or other flameproducing devices are strictly prohibited inside or within minimum 20m of storage magazines or explosive materials. Any article or substance likely to cause a fire or explosion must be kept out of and at a safe distance from an explosives magazine.

Safety in Transportation of Explosives Material

Vehicles used for transporting explosive materials must be in good mechanical condition, with particular attention given to tires, brakes, the electrical system, steering, and chassis. Explosive material should be transported in an approved closed-body vehicle. The body of the vehicle hauling explosives should be lined with wood or other non-sparking material.

Safety in Transportation of Explosives (Contd.) Explosives carried in a vehicle must be in a fully enclosed, locked, fire resistant fixed container or compartment, separate from the passenger compartment. Passengers, other than those assigned to assist in handling explosives, are not permitted on a vehicle transporting explosives. A conveyance transporting explosives must be equipped with at least 2 fire extinguishers, of a type capable of quickly extinguishing gasoline, oil, or electrical fires, as per the Regulation.

Safety in Transportation of Explosives (Contd.)

Explosives should not be transported in the same truck with detonators. Speed also should be kept within the prescribe limit, while moving the vehicle. As far as possible, the filling up of fuel is to be avoided when it is loaded with explosives. As far as possible, the explosives laden truck should be avoided from entering into crowded areas while transportation.


Electric detonators must be transported in their original containers, with their leg wires shunted, as shipped by the manufacturer. Contact between packages containing explosives and exposed ferrous metal in a conveyance must be prevented by the use of wood, tarpaulin, or other suitable dunnage materials.


Before explosives are transported, the employer must establish suitable written emergency procedures, and must ensure that all workers who may be affected are adequately instructed in the procedures. A vehicle transporting explosives must not be operated or permitted to operate if the load to be transported exceeds rated carrying capacity for the vehicle.


Explosives must not be transported in a trailer. The operator of a vehicle transporting explosives must, before crossing a railroad track protected by an automatic signal device, reduce the speed of the vehicle and establish that the crossing can be made in safety. Explosives must not be loaded on or in a vehicle unless the vehicle has been fully serviced.


When a vehicle carrying or containing explosives is to be parked overnight, the premises in which the vehicle will be parked must not be used for any other purpose which may involve any substance likely to cause explosion or fire. Such a parking premises must be away from habitation and buildings that contain flammable materials.

Safety in Handling of Explosives

Explosive materials must be stored, transported, handled and used in the manner recommended by the manufacturer. Explosive materials or accessories which have deteriorated, or are believed to be defective, must not be used and must be handled and disposed of in a safe manner following the manufacturer's recommendations.

Safety in Handling of Explosives (Contd.) Explosive materials and accessories must not be abandoned, but must be placed in suitable storage space as per the instruction of manufacturer. Smoking is prohibited within minimum 15 m (50 ft) of where explosives are stored, being handled, or are in loaded holes. Open flame ignition sources must not be permitted within 15 m (50 ft) of where explosives are stored, being handled, or are in loaded holes, unless the blaster of record gives consent.

Safety in Handling of Explosives (Contd.)

All empty explosives containers must be disposed of by burning or as recommended by the manufacturer. Containers, known or suspected to contain explosives or explosive residue, must be handled with care to prevent undue impact or exposure to excessive heat or flame.

Guidelines for General Safety Requirements

Nothing in this Part relieves an employer of the responsibility to provide adequate direction and instruction of workers, and to assign work only to those workers who are competent. Companies must establish and apply safety rules addressing both general safety and safety particular to Explosives Transportation, Handlings and blasting practices. Safety rules, specific to an operation must be posted and observed.

ROLE OF TRAINING

Guidelines for General Safety Requirements (Contd.)

REQUIREMENT OF TRAINING: •Personnel both site operators, blasters etc., and management must be familiar with the safety rules and safe practices of a particular operation. • Employees must be trained to carryout the normal tasks and have the requisite knowledge to take quick and good decisions in an emergency. • A worker engaged in loading, unloading, or conveying explosives must be trained in the proper means for handling the explosives, the hazards of fire and mishandling and the procedures to follow in the event of a fire or explosion.


REQUIREMENT OF TRAINING (Contd.): • In order to impart proper training, a formal training programme must be prepared; the training requirements to be identified; course prepared (both theoretical and practical); critical safety procedures and controls should be identified in the course. • In addition, the training programme should address the needs of First-aid, General safety induction and any other subject in support of operational safety.


REQUIREMENT OF REPORT: • Reports of dangerous incidents must be made promptly to the concerned Authorities. • If a blasting accident occurs which causes personal injury, or if there is any other dangerous incident involving explosives, whether or not there is personal injury, the employer must report the incident immediately to the concerned Authorities. • Reports must incorporate required by the Authorities.

all

the

information

NOTIFY Mishaps: Fire, Explosion, Fatality, Injury, Gov Property Damage

OBSERVE Watch for potential problems during normal duties PERFORM SAFE PRACTISES Report concerns to the Superior


REQUIREMENT OF STATUTORY CERTIFIED PERSONNEL: • Only the holder of a valid blaster's certificate or competent personnel as per the concerned Authorities is permitted to conduct or direct a blasting operation; only if the work involved is within the scope of that certificate. • All work within the blasting area must be done under the authorization of the designated blaster of record responsible for that area. Blasters must record daily activities in a log. • A blaster may be assisted by persons who do not hold blaster's certificates, but the blaster must have authority over the assistants and must exercise visual supervision over them and be responsible for their work during explosive loading, priming, fixing or firing.

DAMAGE MECHANISMS Fragments Fireball Overpressures

EXPLOSIVE TRAINS T N T

Primer/ Initiator

Relay/ Delay

Booster

Bursting Charge

Very Little Power

Little Power

More Power

Very Powerful

Sensitive

Less Sensitive

Least Sensitive

Very Sensitive

OVERPRESSURES DETONATION TIME AMBIENT PRESSURE

+-

DEFLAGRATION

AIR PRESSURE

Air Molecule Density

SAFE DISTANCE CONCEPT HAZARDOUS FRAGMENTS FIREBALL Safe Distance

OVERPRESSURES

TEAMWORK SO YOU CAN WORK SAFELY AND WE CAN BE MORE EFFICIENT

"DOs AND DON'Ts” in handling of Explosives When Transporting Explosives: 1. DO obey all laws and regulations. 2. DO see that any vehicle used to transport explosives is approved and in proper working condition. 3. DON'T permit metal, except approved metal truck bodies, to contact cases of explosives. 4. DON'T allow smoking or unauthorized or unnecessary persons in the vehicle. 5. DO load and unload Explosives carefully. Never throw Explosives from the vehicle. 6. DO see that no Explosives, including detonating fuse, are transported along with blasting caps and/or electric blasting caps/detonators. 7. DON'T drive trucks containing explosives through cities, towns or villages.

"DOs AND DON'Ts” in handling of Explosives When storing Explosives: 8. DO store explosives in accordance with laws and regulations. 9. DO store explosives only in a magazine which is clean, dry, well ventilated, reasonably cool, properly located, substantially constructed, bullet and fire resistance and securely locked. 10. DON’T store blasting caps or electric blasting caps in the same box, container or magazine with other explosives. 11. DON’T allow leaves, grass, brush, or debris to accumulate within 25 feet of an explosives magazine. 12. DO locate explosives magazines in the most isolated places available. They should be separated from each other, and from inhabited buildings, highways, and railroads, by distances not less then those recommended in the Explosives rules.

"DOs AND DON'Ts” in handling of Explosives When using Explosives : 13. DON’T use sparking metal tools to open kegs or wooden cases of explosives. 14. DON’T smoke or have matches, or any source of fire or flame, within 100 feet of an area in which explosives are being handled or used. 15. DON’T place explosives where they may be exposed to flame, excessive heat, sparks or impact. 16. DON’T carry explosives in the pockets of your clothing or elsewhere on other person. 17. DON’T handle, use or be near explosives during the approach or progress of any electrical storm. All persons should retire to a place of safety. 18. DON’T use explosives or accessories, equipment that are obviously deteriorated or damaged.

"DOs AND DON'Ts” in handling of Explosives

When Preparing The Primer: 19. DON’T make up primer in a magazine, or near excessive quantities of explosives, or in excess in immediate needs. 20. DON’T force a blasting caps or an electric blasting caps into dynamite. Insert the cap into a hole made in the dynamite with a punch suitable in the purpose. 21. DO make up primes in accordance with proven and established methods. Make sure that the cap shell is completely encased in the dynamite or booster and so secured that in loading no tension will be placed on the wires or fuse at the point of entry into the cap.

"DOs AND DON'Ts” in handling of Explosives When Drilling and Loading :

22. DO comply with applicable regulations relative to drilling and loading. 23. DO carefully examine the surface or face before drilling to determine the possible presence of unfired explosives. Never drill into explosives. 24. DO check the borehole carefully with a wooden tamping pole or a measuring tape to determine its condition before loading. 25. DO recognize the possibility of static electrical hazards from pneumatic loading and take adequate precautionary measures. If any doubt exists, consult your explosives supplier. 26. DON’T stack surplus explosives near working areas during loading.

"DOs AND DON'Ts” in handling of Explosives 27. DON’T force explosives into a borehole or through obstruction in a borehole. Any such practice is particularly hazardous in dry holes and when the charge is primed. 28. DON’T slit, drop, deform or abuse the primer. DON’T drop a large size, heavy cartridge directly on the primer. 29. DO avoid placing any unnecessary part of the body aver the borehole during loading. 30. DON’T load any borehole near electric power lines unless the firing line, including the blasting cap wires, is so short it cannot reach the power wires. 31. DON’T connect blasting caps, or electric blasting caps, to detonating fuse except by methods recommended by the manufacturer.

"DOs AND DON'Ts” in handling of Explosives When Shooting Electrically : 32. DON’T uncoil the wires or use electric blasting caps during dust storms or near any other source of large charges of static electricity. 33. DON’T uncoil the wires or use electric blasting caps in the vicinity in of radio frequency transmitters, except at safe distances. 34. DO keep the firing circuit completely insulated from the ground or other conductors such as bare wires, rails, pipes or other part of stray currents. 35. DON’T have electric wire or cables of any kind near electric blasting caps or other explosives except at the time and for the purpose of firing the blast. 36. DO test all the circuit of blasting caps, either single or either connected in a series circuit, using only a blasting galvanometer specifically designed for the purpose.

"DOs AND DON'Ts” in handling of Explosives Explosives Disposal: 37. DON’T abandon any explosives. 38. DO dispose of or destroy explosives in strict accordance with approved methods. 39. DON’T leave explosives, empty cartridges, boxes, liners, or other materials used in the packing of explosives lying around where children or unauthorized persons or livestock can get at them. 40. DON’T allow any wood, paper, or any other materials employed in packing explosives to be burned in a stove, a fireplace, or other confined space, or to be used for any purpose. Such materials should be destroyed by burning at an isolated location out of doors and no person should be nearer than 100 feet after the burning has started.

THANKS

Safety in Handling of Explosives and Blasting

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