513 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 23-29

Sections

29-7. Minimum Plan Requirements.

Explosives Site Safety Plan (ESSP)

The ESSP must be created in compliance with ANSI/ASSP A10.7 and relevant federal and state regulations before storing or starting operations with explosives.
For military installations, the ESSP requires approval from the DoD Explosives Safety Board.

Master Blasting Plan

Develop the Master Blasting Plan before placing explosives onsite or beginning any related operations.
Submit the plan for approval to the USACE supervisor, the KO, or the COR, as per the direction of the blasting SME.
Ensure the plan includes personnel details, contractor requirements, training programs, types of explosives, and operational procedures as specified in paragraph 29-3.

Vibration Monitoring Plan

Formulate a written plan for monitoring vibrations and air blast before starting controlled blasting operations.
Submit the plan for approval or acceptance to the USACE supervisor, the KO, or the COR.
Include details about structures for pre-blast surveys, monitoring locations, instrumentation types, and example reports in the plan.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

29-5. What should be developed before placing explosives onsite or beginning any related operations?

The Master Blasting Plan

A DoD Explosives Plan

The USACE Vibration Monitoring Plan

A Safe Blasting Plan

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EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 29-7.

29-7. Minimum Plan Requirements.

a.  Explosives Site Safety Plan (ESSP).  An ESSP is required when explosives are stored onsite.  The plan must be developed according to ANSI/ASSP A10.7 and applicable federal and state and regulations prior to placing explosives onsite or starting explosives-related operations.  If the site is a military installation, the ESSP must be approved by DoD Explosives Safety Board.  (29-7.a)

b.  Master Blasting Plan.  Develop a Master Blasting Plan prior to the placement of explosives onsite or the start of any explosives related operations.  Submit Master Blasting Plan to the USACE supervisor for approval by the blasting subject matter expert (SME), or to the KO or COR for acceptance by the blasting SME.  As a minimum, it must contain the following:  (29-7.b)

(1)  The names, qualifications, certifications, and responsibilities of personnel involved with explosives, see paragraph 29-3.  Include at a minimum the Blaster-in- Charge.

(2)  The contractor's requirements for handling, transporting, and storing explosives.

(3)  Employee training programs and certifications.

(4)  Types of explosives.

(5)  Schedule of activities and loading procedures.

(6)  Detailed blasting schedule.

(7)  Explosives transportation route.

(8)  Safety signals methods and locations.

(9)  Blast area clearance.

(10)  Example wiring diagram.

(11)  Methods for securing the site.

(12)  Seismograph, vibration, and damage control.

(13)  Test shots, post-blast inspection and misfire procedures.

(14) Provisions for disposal of explosives, blasting agents, unused and associated material.

(15)  Post-blast ventilation requirements.

(16) Public relations requirements before and after blasting (for example, community communication and protection of structures and personnel).

(17)  Misfire procedures.

(18)  The safe setback distance for personnel during blasting and misfire remediation.  The distance must be based on the distance of physical separation and/or engineered or natural barriers.

(19)  Lightning and static hazard procedure for the project specifications will detail what is required for each on a project.

c.  Vibration Monitoring Plan.  Prepare a written plan for monitoring vibrations and air blast prior to initiation of controlled blasting operations for USACE supervisor for approval or KO or COR for acceptance.  The plan, at a minimum, must include:

(1)  Structures requiring a pre-blast survey.

(2)  Locations for monitoring instrumentation.

(3)  Types and number of instruments.

(4)  Example reports for displaying monitoring results.