Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility

Safety is of paramount importance. The goal of every blast plan is to coordinate a quality controlled blast that will achieve the desired results needed for the job while protecting people, property and the environment. If you ever find material marked “explosives” please do not handle the material and contact law enforcement or the fire department.
Safety, for professionals handling explosives and for the public around blasting projects, has improved over time to what it is today for reasons such as:

• A commitment to training and continuous improvement.
• A safety-first culture within the industry.
• Ongoing development of safer explosives products.
• Past experience and research that help shape regulations and laws. 
• Clear communications of blasting safety protocols to communities.

At blast time, a combination of warning signals, signs, barricades and guards will be used to secure the blasting area. Never enter a blast area without permission or an authorized escort. Sometimes local police or regulators help secure the blast area or redirect traffic. At the time of the blast keep your distance according to the area communicated by company representatives. Blasting times are usually scheduled, but on occasion may be changed due to unforeseen circumstances. So be alert to the blast signals used at the job site. These procedures help ensure your safety and the safety of those conducting the work.

Signs are meant to help inform and protect the public. Some types of signs are:

Storage magazine signs identify where explosives are stored and serve as warning to fire fighting professionals.  Perimeter signs typically identify project boundaries.  Blast area signs inform the public of where blasting may be occurring within the project area. Entry point signs may specify blast warning signals. Transportation vehicle signs inform first responders of the vehicle’s contents.

Please comply with any signage and maintain your distances as posted. If you see unauthorized people entering signed areas, please call the local police. In the event you see a fire at or near explosives storage, keep away and call the fire department. Never attempt to fight an explosives fire.
Explosives transportation on public roads is regulated and controlled.

• Drivers are trained in proper shipment and handling of explosives.
• Travel routes are usually designated to facilitate the safest route. 
• Vehicles are properly placarded regarding their contents. 

In the event of an accident contact local emergency response personnel and stay clear of the area.
When blasting near homes, precautions associated with the job site will be communicated to the public. This communication may include dates and times of blasting and the blast warning signals. Notifications may be provided:

• In person: This will provide you with an opportunity to ask questions and request contact information.
• In the mail: If you receive a notice of blasting in the mail, read the entire mailing and make note of pertinent information.
• On your door: If you receive a notice of blasting on your door, read the entire notice and make note of pertinent information.
• At public meetings or in public notices.

If questions remain, be sure to contact the company listed on the notice and ask specific questions to meet your concerns. The explosives industry relies on the cooperation of surrounding neighbors and the public at large to adhere to precautions communicated by blasting professionals to ensure safety.

Chemical Explosives

The vast majority of explosives are chemical explosives. Explosives usually have less potential energy than fuels, but their high rate of energy release produces a great blast pressure. TNT has a detonation velocity of 6,940 m/s compared to 1,680 m/s for the detonation of a pentane air mixture, and the 0.34-m/s stoichiometric flame speed of gasoline combustion in air.

The properties of the explosive indicate the class into which it falls. In some cases explosives can be made to fall into either class by the conditions under which they are initiated. In sufficiently large quantities, almost all low explosives can undergo a Deflagration to Detonation Transition (DDT). For convenience, low and high explosives may be differentiated by the shipping and storage classes.

A chemical explosive is a compound or mixture which, upon the application of heat or shock, decomposes or rearranges with extreme rapidity, yielding much gas and heat. Many substances not ordinarily classed as explosives may do one, or even two, of these things. For example, at high temperatures (> 2000 °C) a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen can be made to react with great rapidity and yield the gaseous product nitric oxide; yet the mixture is not an explosive since it does not evolve heat, but rather absorbs heat.

N₂ + O₂ → 2 NO − 43,200 calories (or 180 kJ) per mole of N₂

For a chemical to be an explosive, it must exhibit all of the following:

• Rapid expansion (i.e., rapid production of gases or rapid heating of surroundings)
• Evolution of heat
• Rapidity of reaction
• Initiation of reaction

Flare Gun

The most common type of flare gun is a Very (sometimes spelled Verey), which was named after Edward Wilson Very (1847–1910), an American naval officer who developed and popularized a single-shot breech-loading snub-nosed pistol that fired flares (Very flares). They have a single action trigger mechanism, hammer action, center fire pin. Modern varieties are frequently made out of brightly colored, durable plastic.

Flare Gun

The older type of Very pistol, typical of the type used in the Second World War, are of one inch bore (26.5 mm). These are still available and more recent longer barrel models can also fire parachute flares.^[3] Many newer models fire smaller 12-gauge flares. In countries where possession of firearms is strictly controlled, such as the United Kingdom, the use of Very pistols as emergency equipment on boats is less common than, for example, the United States. In such locations, distress flares are more commonly fired from single-shot tube devices which are then disposed of after use. These devices are fired by twisting or striking a pad on one end, but the contents are otherwise similar to a round from a flare gun, although the flares themselves are much larger and can burn brighter for longer.

Flare guns may be used whenever someone needs to send a distress signal. The flares must be shot directly above, making the signal visible for a longer period of time and revealing the position of whoever is in need of help.

Explosives and Fireworks Act - Explosives Act - Rules and Regulations

The commissioner may make and promulgate rules and regulations necessary to further the purposes of this act. The rules and regulations may include requirements that are not mentioned specifically in this act but which are reasonably necessary for the safety of workers and the public and the protection of property. Such rules and regulations shall have the force and effect of law and shall be enforced in the same manner. The procedure for the promulgation of rules and regulations under this section shall be as follows:

(a) Upon the completion of proposed rules and regulations by the commissioner notice of the proposed promulgation shall be given to all holders of explosive permits. This notice shall be in writing, shall state briefly the purpose of the proposed rules and regulations, shall state that a copy of the proposed rules and regulations may be obtained upon written request to the Department of Labor and Industry and shall state that upon written request to the Commissioner of Labor and Industry, a hearing will be held by the commissioner or his authorized representative for the purpose of hearing recommendations concerning the proposed rules and regulations;

(b) If no hearing is requested, the commissioner shall promulgate the rules and regulations within 60 days of the notice required by section 4(a) of this act.

(c) If a hearing is requested, notice of the hearing shall be sent to all holders of permits. The notice shall state the date, time and place of the hearing.

(d) Within 60 days after the hearing, the commissioner shall promulgate the rules and regulations as originally proposed or with such changes that he, in his discretion, decides to make in view of the recommendations offered at the hearing. No further hearings are required.

Explosives and Fireworks Act - Explosives Act - Enforcement

The commissioner shall enforce the provisions of this act, make complaints against persons violating its provisions, and prosecute violations of the same. The commissioner and any authorized person acting under him shall have authority to enter and inspect any place or establishment covered by this act. If upon inspection the commissioner discovers a condition which exists in violation of the provision of this act or if the commissioner determines that certain precautions are reasonably necessary for the safety of workers and the public and the protection of property, he shall be authorized to order such violation to cease or such precaution to be taken. The order shall state the items which are in violation of the provisions of the act or the precautions which he deems reasonably necessary to be taken, and shall provide a reasonable specified time within which the required action must be taken by the person responsible. If the violation or the lack of certain precautions constitutes an imminent hazard and the commissioner's order is not obeyed, the commissioner may apply for an injunction in the Superior Court of New Jersey. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent the commissioner from prosecuting any violation of this act, notwithstanding that such violations are corrected in accordance with his order.

The Division of State Police, Department of Law and Public Safety shall have concurrent enforcement power with regard to the transportation of explosives on any highway as defined in this act.

Any person aggrieved by an order or act of the commission under this act may, upon application made within 15 days after notice thereof, be entitled to a hearing before the commissioner who shall within 30 days after submission of the application hold a hearing of which at least 15 days written notice shall be given to all interested parties. The commissioner, upon application therefor, may stay the operation of the order complained of pending his final determination upon such terms and conditions as he may deem proper. Within 30 days after the said hearing the commissioner shall issue an appropriate order modifying, approving or disapproving his prior order or act. A copy of such order shall be served upon all interested parties.

Explosives and Fireworks Act - Explosives Act - Definition

N.J.S.A. 21:1A-128 et seq. EXPLOSIVES ACT

21:1A-128. Short title

This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Explosives Act."



21:1A-129. Definitions

As used in this act unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) "Act" means this act and rules and regulations promulgated hereunder.

(b) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry or his authorized representative.

(c) "Barricaded" means that a building containing explosives is effectively screened from a magazine, inhabited building, railway or highway, either by a natural barricade or by an artificial barricade of such height that a straight line from the top of any sidewall of a building containing explosives to the eave line of any magazine or inhabited building or to a point 12 feet above the center of a railway or highway, will pass through such intervening natural or artificial barricade.

(d) "Artificial barricade" means an artificial mound or properly revetted wall of earth of a minimum thickness of 3 feet.

(e) "Natural barricade" means natural features of the ground including but not limited to hills, or timber of sufficient density so that the surrounding exposures which require protection cannot be seen from the magazine containing explosives when the trees are bare of leaves.

(f) "Explosives" means any chemical compound or mixture that is commonly used or intended for the purpose of producing an explosion, that contains any oxidizing and combustible materials or other ingredients, in such proportions, quantities or packing that an ignition by fire, by friction, by concussion or by detonation of any part of the compound or mixture may cause such a sudden generation of highly heated gases that the resultant gaseous pressures are capable of producing destructive effects on contiguous objects. The term "explosives" shall include, but is not limited to commercial explosives, propellants and nitro-carbo-nitrates. The term "explosives", except as specifically stated in this act, shall not include small arms ammunition, explosives in the forms prescribed by the official United States Pharmacopoeia, or fireworks regulated under Revised Statutes sections 21:2-1 through 21:2-7.

(g) "Commercial explosives" means all explosives except propellants and nitro-carbo-nitrates, including, but not limited to, dynamite, black blasting powder, pellet powder, initiating explosives, blasting caps, electric blasting caps, safety fuses, fuse igniters fuse lighters, squibs, cordeau detonant fuses, instantaneous fuses, igniter cord and igniters.

(h) "Propellants" means solid chemicals or solid chemical mixtures which function by rapid combustion of successive layers and include, but are not limited to, smokeless powder for small arms, smokeless powder for cannon, smokeless powder or solid propellants for rockets, jet thrust units, or other devices.

(i) "Nitro-carbo-nitrate" means a mixture intended for blasting consisting substantially of inorganic nitrates and carbonaceous combustibles in which none of the ingredients is a commercial explosive and the finished product, as mixed and packaged for use or shipment, cannot be detonated by the test procedure established by rules and regulations promulgated under this act.

(j) "Explosives manufacturing establishment" means all lands, and buildings situated thereon, used in connection with the manufacture of explosives.

(k) "Explosives manufacturing building" means any building or other structure, except magazines, in which the manufacture of explosives is carried on.

(l) "Magazine" means any building or structure used for the storage of explosives but shall not mean an explosives manufacturing building.

(m) "Inhabited building" means a building regularly occupied in whole or in part as a habitation for human beings, or any church, schoolhouse, railroad station, store or other structure where people are accustomed to assemble, except any building or structure occupied in connection with the manufacture, transportation, storage or use of explosives.

(n) "Highway" means any public street, road, highway, alley or those parts of navigable streams which are used as highways of commerce.

(o) "Public conveyance" means any transportation facility which is carrying passengers for hire.

(p) "Person" means any natural person, partnership, firm, association or corporation.

(q) "Railway" shall mean and include any steam, electric or other railroad or railway which carries passengers for hire on the particular line or branch in the vicinity where explosives storage magazines or explosives manufacturing buildings are situated, but shall not include auxiliary tracks, spurs and sidings installed and primarily used for transporting freight.

The Many Uses of Explosives

Many people know that explosives are used in Mining, Building Demolition, Pyrotechnics and even Construction. Many would be surprised to know about some of the unusual uses of explosives. Did you know that explosives were used to carve Mount Rushmore? Explosives are also used to control Avalanches and are used in the back country for Trail Maintenance. Explosives are even used in Medicine to break-up kidney stones!

In the United States, explosives are primarily used in Mining, Quarrying and Construction as shown below:

Nationwide explosive use:
Coal Mining 67%
Non-metal mines and quarries 14%
Metal mining 10%
Construction 7% and
Miscellaneous 3%

Aerospace - As in Ejector Seats and Separation Devices for Rocket Boosters

Agriculture - Farmers use explosives to break up boulders, blow tree stumps, felling trees and loosening soil.

Aggregate Blasting Art - As in Metal clad art and large projects such as Mountain carving

Automotive Restraint Systems - to in flat Airbags


Avalanche Control

Coal Blasting Commercial and Industrial Products - Door Systems, for example

Construction

Demilitarization Work


Demolition - The quantities of explosive used on this type of operation vary, depending on the size, construction and location, of the structure to be demolished. Whether it be Bridges, Buildings, Chimneys, or Towers.

Diamond Manufacturing - Jewelry grade and Very fine industrial-type diamonds used for grinding and polishing are produced by the carefully controlled action of explosives on carbon.

Emergencies at Sea - project lifelines to ships in distress off storm-beaten shores

Excavation - to dig Foundations and clear Underwater Channels/Dredging

Fire Fighting - Along fire paths to cut off oxygen to a large fire and to extinguish oil well fires.

Fire Suppression Systems

Fireworks (See Pyrotechnics)

Food Preparation - Meat Tenderizing

Forestry - Trail Blazing

Hazardous Wastes - for destruction of some hazardous waste materials

Ice Jams

Law Enforcement and Security - used in Exploding Dye Capsules and other Security Systems.

Logging - For cutting and removing timber

Manufacturing - Man-made diamonds

Medical Uses Medicines / Fracturing Kidney and Gall Stones

Metalworking - Hardening of Metals - Including railway frogs and hardening of crusher wear parts, shovel teeth, ripper shanks, and specialty wear components such as striker bars and striker plates for mills. The explosive depth hardening process will take manganese steel from 350 brinell up to 490 brinell after two shots. The EDH process increases wear life substantially.

Metal-cladding - Explosives are sometimes used to bond various metals to each other.

Mining and Quarrying - Explosives are used to break up rock and displace large quantities of earth.

Nail guns

Oil Well Perforation

Pile driving - When pile drivers are not available, exploding dynamite on an iron plate placed on top of the piles can do their work.

Pyrotechnics - Display fireworks / Theatrical Special Effects

Quarrying

Railroads - Hardening and removing track parts

Riveting - Blind rivets are needed when space limitations make conventional rivets impractical. Explosive riveting is an engineering practice.

Rocketry

Seismic Exploration

Signal Lights

Soil Compaction - For large-scale construction projects, soil compaction is often accomplished with the use of explosives.

Sport Shooting - Gunpowder (black powder and smokeless powder) is used for shooting purposes, such as muzzle-loading handguns and rifles, or events where re-enactments of historical battles involve the use of muzzle-loading muskets and cannon.

Tools - Hand tools

Tunneling

Welding - Explosives jigs are often used to weld large diameter Pipelines.

Safety First! Don’t Touch

Blasting Caps are detonators. They contain a small amount of blasting powder and are designed to explode with tremendous force. Their purpose for trained operators is to set-off a larger explosive such as dynamite. Blasting caps are Labeled "Dangerous – Blasting Cap – Don’t Touch."
If you find a blasting cap, DON’T TOUCH! Call your local police or fire department immediately to report it. In unskilled hands, blasting caps are deadly. They can mutilate fingers, cause blindness and deafness – or kill!

A Few Major Projects.

To demonstrate how explosives have helped shape our world, we can look to some well known projects that would not have been possible without the use of explosives.
Three tunnels were constructed by the use of explosives and even today stand out as benchmarks in the history of explosives:

Mount Cenis, a 13-kilometer railway tunnel driven through the Alps between France and Italy (1857-71)

The 6.4 kilometer Hoosac Railway Project

The Sutromine Development Tunnel in Nevada (1864-74).