SECTION 460:15-1-31. Permissible explosives

(a)   Black powder or dynamite is prohibited from being used or stored at any underground coal mine.

(1)   Magazines shall be fire and bullet proof, lined with a non-parking material, secured with two (2) locks that can only be opened with a key and kept free of any inflammable material for a minimum distance of twenty-five (25) feet.

(2)   Magazines shall not be closer than two hundred (200) feet from any mine opening.

(3)   Signs shall be placed at each magazine prohibiting smoking and open lights and designating the area as explosives. Signs shall be so placed that a bullet fired at any of the signs will not hit the magazines.

(4)   Explosives and detonators shall be stored in separate magazines.

(5)   Explosives and detonators transported into the mine shall be in substantially constructed container and lined with a nonconductive material. Explosives and detonators shall be in separate containers or separated by a minimum of four (4) inches of hardwood or the equivalent.

(6)   Underground storage boxes shall be of substantial construction-lined with a nonconductive material and places in a crosscut or idle room neck at least twenty-five (25) feet from roadways, power wires, and in a well rock-dusted area.

(7)   Not more than a forty-eight (48) hour supply of explosives shall be stored underground.

(8)   Only enough explosives and detonators will be taken to the face to shoot one area.

(9)   Only permissible explosives shall be used in an underground coal mine.

(10)   No more than one and one-half (1 1/2) pounds of permissible explosives can be charged in a continuous train.

(11)   No portion of the shot hole shall be drilled on the solid, and all portions of shot holes shall have a burden in all directions of at least eighteen (18) inches.

(12)   Stemming shall be of incombustible material and tamped with a nonconductive tamping bar.

(b)   Blasting.

(1)   It shall be the duty of the mine operator to employ adequate personnel who are certified as mine superintendent, mine foreman, fire-boss, or shot-firer to charge, tamp and fire all shots.

(2)   When blasting for the sinking of shafts, slopes or for construction of overcast, undercast, roof brushing, or boom holes, a plan shall be submitted to the Department of Mines for approval.

(3)   When the coal is to be undercut and shot, the roof, floor and ribs shall be rock-dusted to the face.

(4)   Before firing the shot the shot-firer shall make a check of gas, clear the area of all personnel, and announce three times, with a pause between each announcement, "fire-in the-hole". The charge may be fired if the area is clear.

(5)   The shot-firer will inspect the shot area as soon as possible after the detonation for roof conditions, gas, fire, mis-fires, undetonated explosives, and other unsafe conditions which shall be reported immediately.

(6)   Only electric detonators shall be used.

(7)   A permissible blasting unit and at least one hundred (100) feet of well insulated blasting cable shall be used. The shot-firer shall take cover in a cross cut at least forty (40) feet outby the face and out of the line of air.

(8)   The cable shall be short circuited at the power end until ready to attach to the blasting unit.

(9)   The mine inspector shall approve all blasting plans and will make an inspection at least monthly with the shot-firer.