Current through Register Vol. 54, No.43, October 26, 2024
Section 211.154 - Preparing the blast(a) The blasting activity permittee shall designate a blaster-in-charge for each blast. The blaster-in-charge shall control and supervise the blasting activity. A blaster-in-charge is responsible for all effects of the blasts that the blaster-in-charge detonates. The blasting activity permittee is responsible for the effects of all blasts detonated under the blasting activity permit.(b) Only equipment necessary for loading blast holes may be allowed to operate within 50 feet (15.24 meters) of the blast site. The Department may establish, in writing, a different distance limitation. If a written request for a lower distance limitation is submitted to the Department, the request must provide detailed information including why the lower distance limitation is necessary and how blast site safety will be maintained. The Department's written establishment for a lower distance limitation will include all necessary safety requirements.(c) A blaster-in-charge may not prepare or detonate a blast unless another person is present, able and ready to render assistance in the event of accident or injury.(d) The blaster-in-charge shall determine the condition of the material to be blasted from the individual who drilled the blast holes, from the drill log or at-the-hole communication prior to loading a blast. The permittee shall ensure that a written drill log or at-the-hole communication is available to the blaster-in-charge.(e) Only the blaster-in-charge, other blasters and up to six assistants per blaster may be at a blast site once loading of blast holes begins.(f) While loading a blast hole, the following measures shall be followed: (1) Ferrous material may not be used in the blast hole unless the use is approved by the Department in writing. This includes the use of steel casings, ferrous tools and retrieving equipment.(2) Only nonferrous, nonsparking tamping sticks may be used in loading a blast hole. Sectional poles connected by brass fittings are permitted, if only the nonferrous, nonsparking end of the pole is used for tamping. Retrieving hooks must be made from nonsparking metal such as brass or bronze.(3) When using a pneumatic loading device, every precaution shall be taken to prevent an accumulation of static electricity. A loading operation shall be stopped immediately if static electricity or stray electrical currents are detected. The condition shall be remedied before loading may be resumed.(4) The blast hole shall be carefully checked for obstructions with a nonferrous, nonsparking tamping pole, a tape, a light or a mirror before it is loaded. The use of magnifying mirrors is prohibited. Explosives may not be forced past an obstruction in a blast hole.(5) Each blast hole shall be logged throughout the loading process to measure the amount and location of explosives placed in the blast hole. The information is to be recorded on the blast report required under § 211.133 (relating to blast reports).(6) A blast hole containing loose dynamite shall be stemmed but not tamped.(7) The Department may specify the type and amount of stemming.(g) Before connecting one loaded blast hole to another, all activity within the blast area shall cease, and all nonessential persons shall retreat to a safe place. The blaster-in-charge shall determine the blast area.(h) Primers shall be prepared only at the hole to be loaded, immediately prior to loading. The components of the primer are to be kept separated at the collar of the blast hole. The primer may not be slit, dropped, deformed or carelessly handled and may not be tamped or forced into the blast hole.(i) Immediately upon completing the loading of a blast hole, any wood, paper or other materials used to pack explosives shall be inspected for the presence of explosives and removed to an isolated area. These materials may be burned after the blast has been fired. Persons may not be within 100 feet (30.48 meters) of these burning materials.(j) Measures shall be taken to reduce the chance of flyrock including: (1) The use of blasting mats or other protective devices, if, in the opinion of the blaster-in-charge, the measures are necessary to prevent injuries to persons or damage to property.(2) When blasting to an open, vertical face, checking the face for loose, hanging material or other faults prior to loading the blast holes.(k) Explosives may not be brought to a blast site in greater quantities than are expected to be needed for that blast. Surplus explosives may not be stored in the blast area.(l) Before a blast hole is loaded, it shall be checked to ensure that it is cool and does not contain any hot metal or smoldering material remaining from drilling the hole.(m) The use of abrasive or sharp-edged constituents in stemming material shall be avoided if tamping is necessary and the tamping may sever blasting cap leg wires, shock tubes or detonating cords.(n) The permittee shall ensure that public highways and entrances to the areas where blasting will occur are barricaded and guarded if the highways and entrances to areas where blasting will occur are located within 800 feet of a point where a blast is about to be fired. The permittee may use an alternative measure to this requirement if the permittee demonstrates, to the Department's satisfaction, that the alternative measure is at least as effective at protecting persons and property from the adverse effects of a blast. Alternative measures are measures such as:(1) Slowing or stopping traffic in coordination with appropriate State or local authorities, including local police.(2) Using mats to suppress flyrock.(3) Designing the blast to prevent damage or injury to persons and property located on the public highways or at the operation's entrances by using design elements such as: (i) Orienting the blast so that the direction of relief is away from public highways or operation entrances.(ii) Adjusting blast design parameters including: (A) The diameter of holes.(D) The amount and type of explosive.(E) The burden and spacing.(F) The amount and type of stemming.(o) The permittee shall post signs at access points of all approaches to a blast site which clearly warn of explosive use. If there are no specific access points, a minimum of four signs shall be posted on all sides of the blast site at a distance of 100 feet from the blast site. Posting of signs shall comply with 29 CFR 1926.905(p) (relating to loading of explosives or blasting agents), 30 CFR 56.6306(a) (relating to loading, blasting, and security) or 30 CFR 77.1303(g) (relating to explosives, handling and use), as applicable.The provisions of this §211.154 amended June 22, 2018, effective 6/23/2018, 48 Pa.B. 3711.The provisions of this §211.154 amended under sections 1917-A and 1920-A of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. §§ 510-17 and 510-20); section 4.2 of the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act (52 P.S. § 1396.4b); section 11(e) of the Noncoal Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act (52 P.S. § 3311(e)); sections 7 and 11 of the act of July 1, 1937 (P.L. 2681, No. 537) (73 P.S. §§ 157 and 161); sections 3 and 4 of the act of July 10, 1957 (P.L. 685, No. 362) (73 P.S. §§ 166 and 167); Reorganization Plan No. 8 of 1981 (71 P.S. § 751-35); section 2(f) of the act of May 18, 1937 (P.L. 654, No. 174) (43 P.S. § 25-2(f)); and Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1975 (71 P.S. § 751-22).