Washington Administrative Code

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…

Unless otherwise specified in this part, blasting agents must be transported, stored, and used in the same manner as explosives.Note:Water-gels are covered in WAC 296-52-67150, Water-gel and emulsion explosives and blasting agents, through WAC 296-52-67170, Bulk delivery/mixing v…

(1) Building location. Buildings or other facilities used for manufacturing blasting agents must meet the separation distance requirements of Table H-21 for inhabited buildings, passenger railroads, and public highways.(2) Building construction. Buildings used for mixing blasting…

Note:This section applies to both off-highway operations and public highway transportation.(1) Vehicles. These vehicle requirements must be followed:(a) Strength. A bulk delivery vehicle must be strong enough to carry a load without difficulty.(b) Mechanical condition. A bulk del…

(1) Construction. A bin, including supports, must be:(a) Waterproof.(b) Constructed of compatible materials.(c) Adequately supported and braced to withstand the combined force of all loads, including impact from product movement within the bin and accidental vehicle contact with …

(1) Public highways. The following must comply with the United States Department of Transportation's (U.S. DOT) requirements:(a) Packaging, marking, and labeling containers of blasting agents that are being transported on public highways. (b) Vehicles must follow placard regulati…

WAC SectionsPART ADEFINITIONS, PURPOSE, SCOPE, AND APPLICATIONHTMLPDF296-52-099Definitions.HTMLPDF296-52-60005Implementation of the Washington State Explosives Act.HTMLPDF296-52-60010Purpose and intent.HTMLPDF296-52-60015Coverage.HTMLPDF296-52-60020Exemptions.STATE AND LOCAL GOVE…

(1) Contains explosive substance. Water-gel and emulsion explosive materials that contain a substance classified as an explosive must be classified as an explosive.(2) Contains no explosive substance. Water-gel and emulsion explosive materials that do not contain any substance cl…

(1) Buildings.(a) Locations.(i) Separation distance tables. Buildings or other facilities used for manufacturing emulsions and water-gels must meet the separation distance requirements of Table H-21 for:(A) Inhabited buildings;(B) Passenger railroads;(C) Public highways.(ii) Dete…

(1) Vehicle design. The design of bulk delivery/mixing vehicles must comply with these requirements: (a) Public highways. Vehicles used for the bulk transportation of emulsion, water-gels, or ingredients classified as dangerous commodities on public highways, must meet: (i) U.S. …

(1) A blast cannot be fired while any moving vessel is within one thousand five hundred feet of the blasting area.(2) People on board vessels or crafts moored or anchored within one thousand five hundred feet must be notified before a blast is fired.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.1…

(1) A blast cannot be fired while any swimmers or divers are in the vicinity of the blasting area.(2) If swimming and diving activities are in progress, a signaling arrangement must be agreed upon to communicate blast warnings prior to blasting.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010…

Water resistant initiation systems must be used for underwater blasting.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 02-03-125, § 296-52-67190, filed 1/23/02, effective 3/1/02.]

(1) When a tube is necessary, loading must be done through a nonsparking loading tube.(2) Loading tubes and casings must be the same type of metal to prevent electric transient currents from occurring as a result of a galvanic reaction of the metals and water.[Statutory Authority…

(1) When more than one charge is placed underwater, a float device must be attached to an element of each charge to make sure it will be released when the charge is fired.(2) Blasting flags must be displayed.(3) Misfires must be handled according to the requirements of WAC 296-52…

(1) Permanent storage. The following are requirements for permanent storage:(a) Explosives or blasting agents cannot be permanently stored in an underground operation until at least two exit routes are developed.(b) Permanent underground storage magazines:(i) Must be a minimum of…

When an electrical storm is approaching, explosives at the adit, or the top of any shaft leading to where people are working, must be moved to a distance equal to the distance required for inhabited buildings (Table H-20), unless this would create a greater hazard.[Statutory Auth…

(1) Fume Class 1. Fume Class 1 explosives must be used for underground operations, as specified by the IME.(2) Fume Classes 2 and 3. Explosives complying with the requirements of fume Class 2 and 3 may be used if adequate ventilation is provided.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.01…

Explosives cannot be loaded or used underground where combustible gases or combustible dusts exist unless approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 02-03-125, § 296-52-67225, filed 1/23/02, …

Electric systems.(1) Safety switch. A safety switch must be:(a) Placed at intervals in the permanent firing line when firing from a power circuit.(b) Made:(i) So it can only be locked in the "off position"; or(ii) With a short-circuiting arrangement of the firing lines to the det…

(1) Employee evacuation. The blaster must make sure all employees are out of the blast area before firing a blast.(2) Guarding entrances. All entrances:(a) Leading into the blasting area must be carefully guarded.(b) To any working place where a drift, raise, or other opening is …