13 NCAC 07F .0714          MISFIRES

Additions and amendments to 29 CFR 1926.911 Misfires apply throughout the Rules in this Section as follows:

(a)           If a misfire is found, the Blaster-in-Charge shall invoke sufficient safeguards to exclude all employees from the potential blast area.

(b)           No work shall be done except that necessary to remove the hazard of the misfire. Only those employees necessary to do the work shall enter the potential blast area.  Only the Blaster-in-Charge, and the absolute minimum number of competent, personnel (as defined in 29 CFR 1926 Subparts Land P), necessary to assess the situation shall approach the hole to inspect the misfire.

(c)           The Blaster-in-Charge shall determine the safest steps for removing the hazard of the misfire. During development and implementation of these steps, the Blaster-in-Charge shall comply with the manufacturer's recommendations.  Further, the guidelines of the Safety in the Transportation, Storage, Handling and Use of Explosive Materials, IME Safety Library Publication No. 17, which is incorporated herein by reference, including any subsequent amendments and editions, shall be utilized.

(d)           If there are any misfires while using safety fuse and blasting cap, all employees shall remain out of the potential blast area for at least 30 minutes. If electric detonators, shock tube, gas tube or detonating cord systems or materials were used and a misfire occurred, the waiting period may be reduced to 15 minutes.  In either case, the Blaster-in-Charge shall assess the circumstances and invoke a safe waiting period before allowing any personnel to enter the potential blast area.  All lines shall be carefully traced and a search made for unexploded charges.

(e)           No drilling, digging, or picking shall be permitted until all misfires have been detonated or the Blaster-in-Charge approves the work.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 95-131;

Recodified from 13 NCAC 07F .0201 Eff. August 3, 2005;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. March 1, 2016.