SECTION 460:25-13-5. General requirements

(a)   Each certified blaster shall comply with all applicable State, Federal, and Local Laws in the use of explosives.

(b)   All blasting operations shall be conducted by experienced, trained and competent persons who understand the hazards involved. Each person responsible for blasting operations shall possess a valid certificate as required by 63. O.S. (1995), Section 460:25-13-6.

(c)   Blasting certification shall be carried by the blaster or shall be on file at the blasting area during the blasting operation.

(d)   A blaster and at least one other person shall be present at the firing of any and all blasts.

(e)   The blaster shall permit only authorized and qualified persons to handle and use explosives.

(f)   Smoking, firearms, matches, open flame lamps, and other fires, flame or heat producing devices and sparks shall be prohibited in or near explosive magazines or while explosives are being handled, transported or used.

(g)   No person shall be allowed to handle or use explosives while under the influence of intoxicating liquors, narcotics, or other dangerous drugs.

(h)   All explosives shall be accounted for at all times. Explosives not being used shall be kept in a locked magazine, unavailable to persons not authorized to handle them. The employer shall maintain an inventory and use record of all explosives. ATF shall be notified of any loss, theft, or unauthorized entry into a magazine.

(i)   No explosives or blasting agents shall be abandoned.

(j)   No fire shall be fought where the fire is in imminent danger of contact with explosives. All employees shall be removed to a safe area and the fire area guarded against intruders.

(k)   When blasting is done in congested areas or in proximity to a structure, railway, or highway, or any other installation that may be damaged, the blaster shall take special precautions in the loading, delaying, initiation, and confinement of each blast with mats or other methods so as to control the throw of fragments and not to exceed the peak particle velocity limits requirements of 460: 25-1319(a) at a structure.

(l)   Employees authorized to prepare explosives charges or conduct blasting operations shall use every reasonable precaution including, but not limited to, visual and audible warning signals, flags, or barricades, to ensure employee safety.

(m)   Blasting operations above ground shall be conducted between sunrise and sunset.

(n)   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:

(1)   Detonators shall be short-circuited in holes which have been primed and shunted.

(2)   The suspension of all blasting operations and removal of persons from the blasting area during the approach and progress of an electric storm;

(3)   Signs and warnings shall be done in the following manner:

(A)   The prominent display of adequate signs, warning against the use of mobile radio transmitters on all roads within 1,000 feet of blasting operations. Whenever adherence to the 1,000-foot distance would create an operational handicap, this distance may be modified so long as the modification is adequately designed in compliance with paragraph (5) of this subsection to prevent any premature firing of electric blasting caps.

(B)   Specimens of signs which would meet the requirements of Section 460: 25-138(p) are the following:

(4)   Ensuring that mobile radio transmitters and cellular phones which are less than 100 feet away from electric blasting caps, in other than original containers, shall be deenergized and effectively locked;

(5)   Compliance with the recommendations of The Institute of the Makers of Explosives with regard to blasting in the vicinity of radio transmitters as stipulated in Radio Frequency Energy-A Potential Hazard in the Use of Electric Blasting Caps, IME Publication No. 20, March 1971.

(o)   Empty boxes and paper and fiber packing materials, which have previously contained high explosives, can be destroyed by burning at an approved location on site.

(p)   Explosives, blasting agents, and blasting supplies that are obviously deteriorated or damaged shall not be used. Contact the manufacturer for instructions.

(q)   Delivery and issue of explosives shall only be made by and to authorized persons and into authorized magazines or approved temporary storage or handling areas.

(r)   Blasting operations in the proximity of overhead power lines, communication lines, utility services, or other services and structures shall not be carried on until the operators and/or owners have been notified and measures for safe control have been taken.

(s)   The use of black powder for blasting shall be prohibited.

(t)   All loading and firing shall be directed and supervised by a certified blaster.

(u)   Buildings used for the mixing of blasting agents and water gels shall conform to the requirements of this section.

(1)   Building shall be of noncombustible construction or sheet metal on wood studs.

(2)   Floors in a mixing plant shall be of concrete or of other non absorbent materials.

(3)   All fuel oil storage facilities shall be separated from the mixing plant and located in such a manner that in case of tank rupture, the oil will drain away from the mixing plant building.

(4)   The building shall be well ventilated.

(5)   Heating units which do not depend on combustion processes, when properly designed and located, may be used in the building. All direct sources of heat shall be provided exclusively from units located outside the mixing building.

(6)   All internal-combustion engines used for electric power generation shall be located outside the mixing plant building, or shall be properly ventilated and isolated by a firewall. The exhaust system on all such engines shall be located so any spark emission cannot be a hazard to any materials in or adjacent to the plant.

[Source: Added at 13 Ok Reg 1111, eff 1-11-96 (emergency); Added at 13 Ok Reg 3499, eff 8-26-96]