Chapter 296-52 Safety standards for possession, handling, and use of explosives.

A blaster must provide their blaster's license and a valid identification card to the department or other law enforcement representatives upon request.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 02-03-125, § 296-52-64075, filed 1/23/02, effective 3/1/02…

A blaster may be required to verify the name of the explosives purchaser.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 02-03-125, § 296-52-64080, filed 1/23/02, effective 3/1/02.]

Additional blaster classifications may be added to a license. Applicants must:(1) Submit a detailed resume which documents blasting experience in the specific classification being applied for;(2) Pass a written exam prepared and administered by the department.[Statutory Authority…

The following requirements are for license renewal:(1) General applicant qualifications, WAC 296-52-64020, General qualifications, apply.(2) Renewal qualifications include the requirements of WAC 296-52-64090 License renewal, through WAC 296-52-64100, List C renewal qualification…

The following requirements are for List A and B renewal qualifications:(1) An application for a license renewal must include documentation of: (a) Blasting experience, by providing a minimum of one blast record; or(b) Successful completion of eight hours of basic blaster's classr…

The following requirements are for List C renewal qualifications:(1) Unlimited classification. To be considered for a renewal of an unlimited license, an applicant must submit a detailed resume documenting:(a) Experience in the majority of classification in List A and B;(b) Full-…

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 02-03-125, § 296-52-650, filed 1/23/02, effective 3/1/02.]

Any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or public agency wanting to manufacture explosives or blasting agents, or use any process involving explosives as a component part in the manufacture of any device, article, or product must have a valid manufacturer's license from the d…

The manufacturer applicant must provide the following information to the department:(1) The reason the applicant wants to manufacture explosives.(2) The manufacturing or processing location.(3) The kind of explosives manufactured, processed, or used.(4) The distance that the expl…

(1) The department will inspect all manufacturing or processing locations:(a) Before they are placed in operation or service; and(b) Prior to licensing.(2) The department will schedule inspections:(a) Once a complete application is received;(b) At the earliest available and mutua…

The department will issue a license to the manufacturer applicant(s) provided:(1) The required inspection confirms that the site plan is accurate and the facilities comply with applicable regulations of the department.(2) The applicant(s) or operating superintendent and employees…

The department will inspect manufacturing or processing locations annually.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 02-03-125, § 296-52-65025, filed 1/23/02, effective 3/1/02.]

The site plan must include:(1) A copy of the site plan and manufacturer's license must be posted in the main office of each manufacturing plant.(2) The site plan must be maintained and updated to reflect the current status of manufacturing facilities, occupancy changes, or other …

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 02-03-125, § 296-52-660, filed 1/23/02, effective 3/1/02.]

Any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or public agency wanting to store explosive materials must have a valid license from the department.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. WSR 05-08-110, § 296-52-66005, filed 4/5/05, effective 6/1/05; WSR…

Applicants must provide the following information to the department:(1) The address or a legal description of the existing or proposed magazine or mobile storage site must be clearly identified;(2) The reason explosive materials will be stored;(3) The kind of explosives or blasti…

(1) The department will inspect magazines, mobile-storage sites, and manufacturing plants:(a) Before being placed in operation or service;(b) Prior to licensing.(2) The department will schedule inspections:(a) Once a complete application is received;(b) At the earliest available …

Applicants or officers, agents, or employees of the applicant, must demonstrate satisfactory experience in:(1) Handling explosives.(2) The storage requirements for any type of explosive materials to be stored.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.06…

The storage license number must:(1) Be permanently affixed on the inside and outside of each storage magazine.(2) Stay with each magazine throughout its life.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 02-03-125, § 296-52-66030, filed 1/23/02, effective…

A storage license documents the storage limits imposed on the licensee. Storage cannot exceed the limits specified on the license.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 02-03-125, § 296-52-66035, filed 1/23/02, effective 3/1/02.]

Magazines, mobile storage sites, and manufacturing plants will be inspected annually.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 02-03-125, § 296-52-66040, filed 1/23/02, effective 3/1/02.]

Semi-trailers or other mobile facilities used to transport blasting agents on site or on highways are considered adequate for blasting agent storage, provided they meet:(1) U.S. DOT requirements for transportation of blasting agents.(2) The requirements of Table H-20, Table of Di…

(1) When a magazine is moved the owner of the magazine must notify the department with:(a) The license number of the magazine(b) The new location of the magazine(2) A magazine may be moved on a job site within a reasonable distance from the original location stated on the applica…

(1) When a magazine is altered, the licensee must notify the department with:(a) The license number of the magazine;(b) The specific alterations made to the magazine.(2) When a magazine is destroyed, the licensee must notify the department with the license number of the magazine.…

(1) When a magazine or mobile storage site is leased, the owner of the magazine or mobile storage site must notify the department with:(a) The magazine license number or site license number;(b) The name of the individual or company leasing the magazine or mobile storage site.(2) …

Any change in conditions around a magazine, mobile storage site, or manufacturing plant that could adversely affect compliance with any requirement of this chapter must be promptly reported to the department. Examples of reportable changes include:(1) Construction of occupied bui…

The blaster in charge is responsible for all aspects of explosives use and must:(1) Carry a current license with the correct blaster classification for the type of blasting being performed.(2) Comply with all federal, state, and local government regulations.(3) Meet the general l…

Black powder, including black powder manufactured for muzzle loading firearms, cannot be used for blasting.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 02-03-125, § 296-52-67020, filed 1/23/02, effective 3/1/02.]

The oldest explosive of the kind needed for a blast, must be used first.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 02-03-125, § 296-52-67025, filed 1/23/02, effective 3/1/02.]

Explosive materials at blast sites must be attended.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 02-03-125, § 296-52-67030, filed 1/23/02, effective 3/1/02.]

A day box used for temporary storage of explosive materials at a job site during working hours at a job site must be:(1) Constructed in accordance with WAC 296-52-70065, Explosives day box and WAC 296-52-70070, Detonator day box.(2) Fire, weather, and theft resistant.(3) Marked w…

An authorized attendant must be:(1) Physically present.(2) Awake.(3) Alert.(4) Able to see the explosives at all times.(5) Able to reach the explosives quickly, without interference.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 02-03-125, § 296-52-67040, …

Explosives must:(1) Be handled by only competent and authorized personnel.(2) Be delivered and issued only to a purchaser or a purchaser's authorized agent.(3) Be delivered into authorized magazines, approved temporary storage, or handling areas.(4) Be carried to the blast site f…

Trainees and inexperienced personnel must work under the direct supervision of a fully qualified licensed blaster who knows the site's:(1) Blasting method;(2) Safety procedures;(3) Blasting signals.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-1…

(1) Dust storms. Blasting operations must be completely stopped and all personnel removed from the blast area if a heavy dust storm approaches or is present because it could cause static lightning.(2) Thunderstorms. Blasting operations must stop and all personnel be removed from …

Precautions must be taken to prevent unintended electric detonator discharge from extraneous electricity and radio frequency (RF) transmitters. The following are sources of common hazards for extraneous electricity and RF transmissions:(1) Extraneous electricity. Common hazardous…

(1) Ground vibration - maximum limits.Either Table 8-A or Table 8-B can be used to determine the maximum limits of ground vibration for any dwelling, public building, school church, commercial site, cofferdams, piers, underwater structures, or institutional building nearby the bl…

(1) Packaging materials. Empty boxes, paper, and fiber packing materials that have previously contained explosive materials must be:(a) Disposed of in a safe manner; or(b) Reused in accordance with U.S. DOT hazardous materials regulations.(2) Opening fiberboard cases. Nonsparking…

(1) Warning signs. Blast area warning signs must:(a) Be set up at all entrances to the blast area.(b) Have lettering a minimum of four inches high and on a contrasting background.(2) Loaded stumps. All loaded stumps must be marked for identification.(3) Lock out. Cables close to …

(1) Unexploded charges.(a) Drilling cannot begin:(i) When there is danger of drilling into a charged or misfired hole.(ii) Until all remaining butts of old holes are examined for unexploded charges.(b) Unexploded charges must be refired before work proceeds.(2) Distance limits du…

(1) Power lines and portable electric cables. Power lines and portable electric cables must be kept at a safe distance from explosives or blasting agents being loaded into drill holes.(2) Equipment, machinery, and tools.(a) Any machine or tool not being used to load holes must be…

(1) General initiation rules.(a) Training and supervision.(i) The blaster in charge must provide adequate on-the-job training and supervision in the safe use of initiation systems.(ii) All members of the blasting crew must be instructed, by the blaster in charge, in the safe use …

(1) Restricted or prohibited use.(a) Safety fuse and detonators, used for conventional blasting, must be in the following:(i) When extraneous electricity or radio frequency transmissions make the use of electric detonators and wire systems dangerous.(ii) When overhead electric tr…

(1) Cord selection. Care must be taken to select a detonating cord consistent with the:(a) Type and physical condition of the drill hole;(b) Stemming;(c) Type of explosives used.(2) Handling. A detonating cord must be handled and used with:(a) The same respect and care given to o…

(1) A code of blasting signals, equivalent to Table T-1, must be posted in one or more conspicuous places at the blast area and all employees must familiarize themselves with the code of blasting signals and use it. Warning signs must be placed at suitable locations, see WAC 296-…

(1) Immediately after firing. Immediately after firing, the blaster in charge must:(a) Disconnect the firing line from the blasting machine.(b) Lock the power switches in the "open" or "off" position.(c) Carefully trace all wires and search for unexploded charges.(2) Post blast i…

(1) Receiving, handling, storing, and transportation.(a) The blaster in charge or powder person is responsible for the receipt, unloading, storage, and on-site transportation of explosives and detonators.(b) Explosives in transit cannot be left unattended.(c) Detonators and explo…