513 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 23-29

Sections

29-8. General Requirements.

Security of Explosives

Guard magazine areas to control access and prevent tampering with explosives during non-working hours.
Never abandon explosive materials.
Report lost or stolen explosives within 24 hours to ATF, local law enforcement, and the USACE supervisor/KO or COR.

Transportation of Explosive Materials

Adhere to DOT, USCG, and FAA regulations when transporting explosives via public highways, vessels, and aircraft respectively.
Ensure vehicles are properly loaded, secured, and marked according to DOT requirements and do not transport explosives with other materials.
Equip vehicles with two fire extinguishers, avoid parking in congested areas, operate with care, and ensure drivers are trained in fire extinguisher use.

Handling of Explosive Materials

Avoid smoking or using open flames near explosive materials and use non-sparking tools for opening containers.
Transport and store explosive materials and detonators separately, and only prepare primers as needed for immediate use.
Remove excess explosives and detonators after loading, and do not overstock underground loading areas.

Underground Blasting

Submit a Master Blasting Plan and use only Fume Class 1 explosives unless adequate ventilation is provided for other classes.
Install a power blasting switch system with sectioning switches and disconnect all lines from the loading jumbo before loading.
Ensure proper lighting in loading areas, ground equipment used for pneumatic placement, and inspect supports after each blast.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

29-7. What is the requirement for reporting lost or stolen explosives to ATF, local law enforcement, and the USACE supervisor/KO or COR?

report within 8 hours

report within 24 hours

report before the end of the workshift

report immediately

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 29-8 (e.–h.).

29-8. General Requirements. (e.–h.).

e.  Security of Explosives.  (29-8.e)

(1)  Guard magazine areas to control access to the explosives and to ensure no one tampers with explosives during non-working hours.

(2)  Do not abandon explosive materials.

(3)   If explosives are lost or stolen, immediately (within 24 hours) report the circumstances and details of incident to the nearest ATF office, the local law enforcement authorities, and the USACE supervisor/KO or COR.

f.  Transportation of Explosive Materials.  (29-8.f)

(1)  Comply with the following federal requirements and any applicable state requirements when transporting explosive materials by the following modes.

(a)  Comply with the DOT requirements when transporting over public highways.

(b)  Comply with the USCG requirements when transporting by vessel.

(2)  Do not load vehicles used for transportation of explosive materials beyond their rated capacity. Secure the explosive materials to prevent shifting of load or dislodgment from the vehicle.  When explosive materials are transported by a vehicle with an open body, securely mount a magazine or closed container on the bed to contain the cargo.

(3)  Display placards, lettering, and/or numbering required by DOT on all vehicles transporting explosive materials.

(4)  Do not transport explosive materials and blasting supplies with other materials or cargoes.  Do not transport detonators in the vehicle or conveyance with other explosives performed according to 49 CFR 177.835.

(5)  Vehicles used in the transportation of explosives must be substantially constructed, in good repair, and must have tight beds to prevent explosives from falling from the vehicle. The ends and sides of vehicles must be high enough to prevent containers from falling off.

(6)  Do not carry any spark-producing tools, carbides, oils, matches, firearms, electric storage batteries, flammable substances, acids, or oxidizing or corrosive compounds in the bed or body of any vehicle transporting explosive materials.

(7)  Equip vehicles transporting explosive materials with two fire extinguishers having a rating of 4A-40B:C per NFPA 495 and IME SLP-3 and place them at strategic spots (see para 9-7).

(a)  The extinguishers must be of a type listed by a NRTL and must be ready for use.

(b)  Train the driver on how to use the fire extinguisher (see para 29-3.b).

(8)  Do not drive a vehicle containing explosive materials into a garage or repair shop, park it in congested areas, or store it for any time in a public garage or similar building.

(9)  Operate vehicles transporting explosive materials with extreme care.  Drivers must stop at approaches to all railroad crossings and main highways, and the vehicles may not proceed until it is known that the way is clear.

(10)  Refuel vehicles loaded with explosives according to DA Pam 385-64.

(11) Persons employed in the transportation, handling, or other use of explosive materials must not smoke or carry on their persons or in the vehicle any matches, firearms, ammunition, or flame-producing devices.

(12)  Make provision for safe transfer of explosive materials to magazine vessels
    (for example, substantial ramps or walkways free of tripping hazards).

(13)  Do not leave vehicles transporting explosive materials unattended.

(14) Notify the hoist operator before explosive materials are transported in a shaft conveyance.

(15) For underground work, hoist, lower, or convey explosive materials in a powder car.  Do not transport any other materials, supplies, or equipment in the same conveyance at the same time.

(16) Do not permit any persons to ride in any shaft conveyance transporting explosive materials. Load and unload only when the conveyance is stationary.

(17) Do not transport explosive materials on any locomotive.  At least two car lengths must separate the locomotive from the powder car.

(18)  Do not transport explosive materials on a man haul trip.

(19) Pull, do not push, the car or conveyance containing explosive materials whenever possible.

(20) Place a reflectorized sign on every powder car or conveyance.  The sign must be reflectorized with a sharply contrasting background and the word "EXPLOSIVES" in letters not less than 4 inches (10.2 cm) in height on each side.

g.  Handling of Explosive Materials.  (29-8.g)

(1)  Do not smoke or use open lights or fire of any kind within 50 feet (15.2 m) of any area where explosives are being handled.  Ignition sources, except necessary means to light fuses or fire electric detonators, are not permitted in an area containing loaded holes.

(2)  Use only non-sparking tools or instruments to open containers of explosive materials.  Metal cutters may be used for opening fiberboard boxes, paper bags or plastic tubes.

(3)  Remove explosive materials from containers only as they are needed for immediate use.

(4)  Separate explosive materials and detonators or primers must and take to the blasting area in original containers, Type 3 magazines, or containers according to
    49 CFR 177.835.

(5)  Do not make up primers in advance or in excess of the immediate need for a hole being loaded.

(6)  Do not make up primers in or near magazines or excessive quantities of explosive materials.

(7)  After loading, remove all excess explosive materials and detonators to a safe location or return them at once to the storage magazines.  Follow the same rules as when conveying them to the blasting area.

(8)  Do not take more explosive materials to an underground loading area than the amount estimated to be necessary for the blast.

(9)  Take detonators into pressure working chambers separately from the other explosive materials.

h.  Underground Blasting.  (29-8.h)

(1)  Develop and submit a Master Blasting Plan for underground blasting (see para 29-7.b).

(2)  Explosives.

(a)  Only use Fume Class 1 explosives in tunnel blasting.  Fume Class 2 or Fume Class 3 explosives may be used only if adequate ventilation is provided.  Only a qualified/licensed Blaster will handle explosives.

(b)  It is prohibited to store explosives, blasting agents, or detonators in tunnels or underground work areas.

(3)  Blasting Circuits.

(a)  Utilize a power blasting switch system for all underground blasts.

(b)  Install sectioning switches, or equivalent, in the firing line at 500 feet (152.4 m)
        intervals.

(4)  Loading.

(a)  Disconnect all power, water, and air lines from the loading jumbo prior to loading.  Relocate existing power lines, including lighting circuits, a minimum of 50 feet (15.2 m) from the loading jumbo.

(b)  Illuminate the loading area to a minimum of 10 foot-candle (108 Lux), when measured 50 feet (15.2 m) from the face.  If additional illumination is needed, equip the loading crew with head lamps approved by a NRTL for the environment where they will be used.

(c)  Equipment used for pneumatic placement of non-cap-sensitive blasting agents must be designed for that purpose and must be grounded while in use.

(5)  Blasting.

(a)  A QP must inspect the underground supports in the blast area after each blast. Secure deficient supports before resuming work.  Inspect the rock surfaces and scale
        the crown and walls to remove loosened pieces.  If required, provide shoring, bracing, rock bolts, shotcrete, or chain-link fabric, before mucking.  Prior to drilling the next round, test the rock bolts located within 100 feet (30.5 m) of the previous blast.

(b)  Wet down the muck pile prior to mucking and keep it wet during mucking operations.