Chapter 1. STATE MINE INSPECTOR

A. Vehicles used for transporting explosives shall be strong enough to carry the load without difficulty and be in good mechanical condition. All vehicles used for the transportation of explosives shall have tight floors and any exposed spark-producing metal on the inside of the …

A. No spark-producing metal tools, oils, matches, firearms, ammunition, electric storage batteries, flammable substances, acids, oxidizing materials, or corrosive compounds shall be carried in the body of any motor truck or vehicle transporting explosives unless the loading of su…

Unless otherwise set forth in this Section, water gels shall be transported, stored, and used in the same manner as explosives or blasting agents in accordance with the classification of the product. Historical Note Former Rule 2:51.

A. Premixed water gels containing a substance in itself classified as an explosive shall be classified as an explosive and manufactured, transported, stored, and used as specified for explosives in this Code. B. Premixed water gels containing no substance in itself classified as …

A. Ingredients for on-site mixed water gells shall be stored as set forth in this Section. 1. Ingredients in themselves classified as Class A or Class B explosives shall be stored in conformity with this Code. 2. Prilled, grained, or granulated ammonium nitrate shall be stored in…

“Mixing plant” refers to any fixed installation or mobile equipment used in conjunction with a mine, for the processing of various non-explosive materials to produce and/or package a blasting agent for use in a mine. Historical Note Former Rule 2:61.

A. At each mining operation where field-mixed ammonium nitrate-fuel oil blasting agents are being used, all mixing shall be done under the supervision of competent personnel, duly instructed in the proper mixing of the blasting agent involved. B. Mixing plants shall conform to th…

A. No hydrocarbon liquid fuel with a flash point lower than that of No. 2 diesel fuel oil (125° F minimum or legal) shall be used. B. Crude oil and crankcase oil shall not be used. C. No unusual compositions of blasting agents or a composition containing an ingredient classed as …

A. Unmixed materials: 1. Unmixed ammonium nitrate shall be kept in a clean, well-ventilated building or bin, using good warehouse practice. Floor drains into which molten nitrate could run during a fire should be eliminated. Bagged ammonium nitrate shall not be stacked close to a…

General: 1. All fittings used in the construction of the hopper and pickup equipment and hose connections of loading equipment must be constructed of materials compatible with the ammonium nitrate composition. 2. Blasting agents shall not be blown into boreholes that contain elec…

A. The handling of explosives may be performed by the person designated to use explosives or by other employees under his direct supervision provided that such employees are at least 18 years of age. Persons who use or handle explosives or detonators shall be experienced men who …

A. All drill holes shall be sufficiently large to admit freely the insertion of the cartridges of explosives. B. Drilling shall not be started until all butts (bootlegs) of old holes are examined. Wash down the face and wash out the butts (bootlegs). If any misfires are found the…

A. When fuse is used, the blast cap shall be securely attached to the safety fuse with a standard ring-type (or other approved) cap crimper. B. No primers shall be assembled or fuse capped closer than 50 feet from any magazine. C. Only wooden or non-sparking tools shall be used f…

Explosives stored in a mine shall be so located that, should they explode or burn, escape of the men will not be cut off. Historical Note Former Rule 2:74.

Underground magazines shall be well constructed but need not comply with the standards set by Class I or Class II magazines. Historical Note Former Rule 2:75.

No blast shall be fired until the person in charge has made certain that all surplus explosives are in a safe place, all persons and equipment are at a safe distance or under sufficient cover, and that an adequate warning signal has been given. Historical Note Former Rule 2:76.

Permanent blasting lines shall be properly supported, insulated and kept in good repair. Historical Note Former Rule 2:77.

If branch circuits are used when blasts are fired from power circuits, safety switches located at safe distances from the blast area shall be provided in addition to the main blasting switch. Historical Note Former Rule 2:78.

Blasting switches shall be locked in the open position except when closed to fire the blast. Lead wires shall not be connected to the blasting switch until the shot is ready to be fired. Historical Note Former Rule 2:79.

All detonating cord knots shall be tight and all connections shall be kept at right angles to the trunk lines. No trunk lines shall be tied in until all equipment is moved out of the area within 50’ of the blast. Historical Note Former Rule 2:80; Amended effective April 7, 1976 (…

Misfires shall be disposed of by the following methods: 1. Re-attempting to fire the holes if leg wires are exposed. 2. Washing the stemming and the charge from the borehole with water. 3. Inserting new primers after the stemming has been washed out. Historical Note Former Rule 2…

Compressed air shall not be used to remove explosives from misfires. Historical Note Former Rule 2:82.

Electric detonators of different brands shall not be used in the same round. Historical Note Former Rule 2:83.

Power sources shall be suitable for the number of electric detonators to be fired and for the type of circuits used. Historical Note Former Rule 2:84.

In the use of black blasting powder: 1. Containers shall not be opened in, or within 50 feet of any magazine; within any building in which a fuel-fired or exposed-element electric heater is in operation; where electrical or incandescent-particle sparks could result in power ignit…

If explosives are suspected of burning in a hole, all persons in the endangered area shall move to a safe location and no one shall return to the hole until the danger has passed, but in no case within one hour. Historical Note Former Rule 2:86. ARTICLE 3. FIRE PREVENTION AND CON…

Fire fighting equipment shall not be tampered with or removed by any person except for its authorized use. Historical Note Former Rule 3:01.

A. No person shall smoke or use an open flame where flammable solvents, liquids, fluids or other flammable materials are stored, transported, handled or used, nor within an unsafe distance of any area or place where such practices may cause a fire or explosion, or where the tempe…

The use of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in fire extinguishers or for cleaning purposes is prohibited. Historical Note Former Rule 3:03.

Fire extinguishers and fire suppression devices shall be: 1. Of the appropriate type for the particular fire hazard involved. 2. Adequate in number and size for the particular fire hazard involved. 3. Recharged or replaced after any discharge is made from the extinguisher or devi…