Section 300.215 General Requirements

Section 300

Section 300.215  General

Requirements

a)         Each person who conducts blasting operations shall comply with

all applicable State and federal laws governing the use of explosives.

b)         Each blast shall be designed, executed and detonated by a

licensed blaster.  The licensed blaster must be present during each phase of

the loading and detonation process.  The licensed blaster may appoint another

individual who is deemed competent and meets all requirements to handle

explosives in Illinois to detonate a blast.  However, the licensed blaster must

be physically present during the detonation process.

c)         All blasting shall be conducted between sunrise and sunset

except in emergency situations where unscheduled blasting is required to ensure

operator or public safety.  In such cases, the operator shall notify the

Department in writing within 72 hours after the unscheduled blast, stating the reasons

for the unscheduled blast.  After review of the notification, the Department

shall determine whether the unscheduled blast was an emergency and take

enforcement action if necessary.

d)         Blasts consisting of explosive materials loaded into

blastholes and of which the explosives are unable to be removed and stored in a

Department certified explosive storage magazine must be attended by an

Individual Explosive License holder, Licensed Blaster, Illinois Surface Coal

Certification holder, or persons meeting the exemptions of 62 Ill. Adm. Code

200.90(d)(5) at all times.  No explosives shall be left unattended.

e)         Explosives may be used to clear blockage in crushing operations

at any time provided the explosive charge does not exceed one pound, and the

operator complies with all other requirements of this Part, except those found

in subsection (c).

f)         Vehicles

and equipment shall not be driven over explosive material or initiating

systems.

g)         Prior to firing a blast:

1)         Ample

warning shall be given to allow all persons to be evacuated

tions

at any time provided the explosive charge does not exceed one pound, and the

operator complies with all other requirements of this Part, except those found

in subsection (c).

f)         Vehicles

and equipment shall not be driven over explosive material or initiating

systems.

g)         Prior to firing a blast:

1)         Ample

warning shall be given to allow all persons to be evacuated.

2)         All

access routes to the blasting zone shall be guarded or barricaded to prevent

the passage of unauthorized persons or vehicles.

h)         When

a misfire is suspected, the blasting zone shall be cleared of all personnel

for:

1)         a

minimum of 30 minutes when using safety fuse, detonating cord and electronic

initiation systems; or

2)         a minimum of 15 minutes

for electric and shock tube initiation systems.

i)          If

explosive material is suspected of burning at the blast site, persons shall be

evacuated from the endangered area and shall not return for at least one hour

after the burning or suspected burning has stopped.

j)          During

the approach and progress of an electrical storm, blasting operations shall be

suspended and persons withdrawn from the blasting zone and relocated to a safe

location.

k)         The

source of energy used to initiate the blast shall not be connected to the

blasting circuit until it has been confirmed that the blasting zone is clear,

and it is safe to fire the blast.

l)          Blastholes

shall not be drilled where there is a danger of intersecting a misfired hole or

a hole containing explosives, blasting agents, or detonators.

m)        Operators

shall assure that the blast site is free of hazards prior to the arrival of

explosives including, but not limited to, highwall safety and ground stability.

n)         Tamping shall not be

done directly on a primer

Blastholes

shall not be drilled where there is a danger of intersecting a misfired hole or

a hole containing explosives, blasting agents, or detonators.

m)        Operators

shall assure that the blast site is free of hazards prior to the arrival of

explosives including, but not limited to, highwall safety and ground stability.

n)         Tamping shall not be

done directly on a primer.

o)         Work

shall not resume in the blast area until a post-blast examination addressing

potential blast-related hazards has been conducted by a person with the ability

and experience to perform the examination.

p)         Blasting

activities incident to underground mining, including all blasts within 50 feet

of the development of slopes and shafts, are considered a surface blast.