S.I. No. 237/1971 - Quarries (Explosives) Regulations, 1971.

S.I. No. 237 of 1971.

QUARRIES (EXPLOSIVES) REGULATIONS, 1971.

PART I.

Preliminary and General.

Regulation

1. Short title.

2. Commencement.

3. Interpretation.

4. Application.

5. Exemption.

PART II.

Storage, Issue and Conveyance of Explosives, Blasting Agents and Detonators.

6. Storage of explosives, blasting agents and detonators.

7. Supply of explosives, blasting agents and detonators.

8. Appointment and qualification of shot-firers.

9. Care and transport of detonators.

10. Care and transport of explosives and blasting agents.

11. Prohibited places for explosives, blasting agents or detonators.

12. Use of naked lights near explosives, blasting agents or detonators.

13. Use of motor vehicles for transporting explosives, blasting agents or detonators.

PART III.

Equipment, Apparatus and Material for Firing Shots.

14. Means of firing shots.

15. Electric shot-firing apparatus.

16. Defective electric shot-firing apparatus.

17. Care of electric shot-firing apparatus.

PART IV

Shot-firing—General.

18. Placing of charge.

19. Restrictions on interfering with detonator leads or fuses.

20. Firing shots electrically.

21. Shot-firing rules.

22. Duties of shot-firer.

23. Duties of sentry.

24. Provision of shelters.

25. Precautions after shot-firing.

PART V.

Shot-Firing—Additional Provisions.

26. Exception for heading blasts.

27. Use of metal tools prohibited.

28-30. Charging of shot-holes.

31. Removal of surplus explosives, etc.

32. Use of safety fuse.

33. Shot-firing operations and permitted periods.

PART VI.

Misfires

34. Misfire—definition.

35. Drilling of relieving shot-hole.

36. Search for unexploded charge.

37. Misfires—General precautions.

38. Warning of misfires.

39. Provision requiring danger notices.

40. Scheme for dealing with misfires.

PART VII.

Heading Blasts.

41-42 Charging of heading blasts.

43. Use of safety lamps in headings.

44. Use of rubber footwear in headings.

45. Restriction on use of iron or steel tools in headings.

46. Protection of detonating fuse in headings.

47. Use of double core detonating fuse.

48. Provision of watchman.

49. Plan of heading.

PART VIIII.

Inspections and Records.

50. Inspection of explosives stores.

51. Record of primary blasts.

PART IX.

Duties of Manager.

52. Duties of manager.

S.I. No. 237 of 1971.

QUARRIES (EXPLOSIVES) REGULATIONS, 1971.

I, JOSEPH BRENNAN, Minister for Labour, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by Sections 11, 29, 96 (1) (b), 127 and 146 of the Mines and Quarries Act, 1965 (No. 7 of 1965) and the Labour (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order, 1966 ( S.I. No. 164 of 1966 ) and after due compliance with the provisions of that Act relating to the procedure for making general regulations, hereby make the following regulations:

PART I. Preliminary and General.

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Quarries (Explosives) Regulations, 1971.

2. These Regulations shall come into operation on the 1st day of October, 1971.

3. (1) In these Regulations—

"the Act" means the Mines and Quarries Act, 1965 (No. 7 of 1965);

"blasting agent" 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 which cannot be detonated by a No. 8 detonator;

"charge" means explosives that may be exploded by a single detonator or primer, or, a blasting agent that may be exploded by a primer;

"detonating fuse" means a fuse consisting of high explosive enclosed in a waterproof covering made of textile impregnated or coated with a plastic composition;

"detonator" includes a safety fuse capped with a detonator;

"explosive" means any chemical compound or mixture which is commonly used or intended for the purpose of producing an explosion, containing any oxidising and combustible materials or other ingredients in such proportions, quantities or packing that the ignition by fire, friction, concussion or detonation of any part of the compound or mixture may cause such a sudden generation of highly heated gasses that the resultant gaseous pressures are capable of producing destructive effects on contiguous objects. The term "explosive" does not include a detonator;

"explosives store" has the meaning assigned thereto in Regulation 6;

"heading" means a tunnel or other excavation (not being a shot-hole) made in a face or side of a quarry for the purpose of a heading blast;

"heading blast" means a shot fired in a heading otherwise than for the purpose of or in connection with the making of that heading;

"inspector" means an inspector appointed under the Act;

"manager" means a manager appointed in accordance with section 23 of the Act;

"Minister" means the Minister for Labour;

"misfire" includes partial misfire;

"owner" has the meaning assigned to it by section 4 of the act;

"safety fuse" means fuse consisting of gun powder, or any other substance which burns at a regular rate, enclosed in a suitable covering and of such a quality that the rate of burning does not vary more than ten per cent above or below—

(a) in case an average rate of burning has been specified by the manufacturer, that rate, and

(b) in any other case, the rate of ninety seconds for each 0.91 metres (3 feet) of fuse;

"shot" means an explosion of explosives;

"shot-firer" means a person appointed in accordance with Regulation 8 and includes a blaster;

"shot-firing" includes blasting;

"shot-firing rules" has the meaning assigned thereto in Regulation 21; and

"shot-hole" does not include a heading.

(2) In these Regulations any reference to the use of explosives includes the charging of a shot-hole or heading (as may be appropriate) with explosives.

4. These Regulations shall apply to every quarry.

5. The Minister or an inspector may, by notice served on the owner, exempt any quarry from the application of any provisions of these Regulations if he is satisfied that the safety of persons employed at the quarry will not be prejudiced in consequence of the granting of the exemption.

PART II. Storage, Issue and Conveyance of Explosives, Blasting Agents and Detonators.

6. (1) A manager shall not permit any explosive, blasting agent, detonator or fuse to be stored at a quarry under his control except in a place appointed by him for the purpose and licensed under the Explosives Act, 1875, by the appropriate licensing authority (in these Regulations referred to as an explosives store), and shall take such steps as may be necessary to secure that any explosive store is at all times kept clean and free from grit.

(2) In the case of every quarry in which explosives or blasting agents are used, the manager in control of the quarry shall appoint such number of competent persons and make such arrangements as to ensure that a competent person is in charge of each explosives store whenever explosives, blasting agents or detonators are taken into or out of the store.

(3) In every case where explosives, blasting agents or detonators are not being taken into or out of an explosives store the store shall be closed so as to prevent unauthorized persons having access thereto and to secure it from external danger.

(4) A manager shall ensure that any detonator in an explosives store is at all times kept separate from any other explosives in the store.

(5) A copy of these Regulations and any relevant shot-firing rules for the time being in force shall be posted within or in the immediate vicinity of every explosives store.

(6) In using explosives or blasting agents removed from an explosives store, those that have been longest in the store shall be used first, provided they are not defective.

(7) Whenever explosives or blasting agents have become defective, they shall be disposed of in a safe manner.

(8) Only implements of copper, wood, fibre or other suitable material shall be used in opening cases or cartons that contain explosives or blasting agents. This paragraph shall not apply to the cutting of the wire or other binding material surrounding such cases or cartons.

(9) All explosives, blasting agents and detonators in an explosives store shall, except during a shift for which the manager has appointed a competent person to have charge of that store, be in the sole charge of the manager.

7. (1) No person shall take into or use at a quarry any explosive, blasting agent or detonator other than an explosive, blasting agent or detonator provided by the owner of the quarry.

(2) The preparation of a blasting agent at a quarry shall be carried out only under licence duly granted under the Explosives Act, 1875, or alternatively with the written permission of the Minister or an inspector.

8. (1) No person shall fire a shot at any quarry other than a competent person appointed to be a shot-firer or blaster at that quarry by the manager.

(2) No person shall be qualified to be appointed or to be a shot-firer unless he has attained the age of twenty-one years.

(3) No person shall attach any detonator to any fuse at a quarry other than a shot-firer or a competent person who has attained the age of twenty-one years and has been appointed for the purpose by the manager.

(4) (a) Any shot-firer to whom a detonator case has been issued shall—

(i) ensure that, apart from any check sheet for recording shots fired by him, nothing but detonators is in the case.

(ii) ensure that, at any time at which it is not on his person it is in a safe place and, unless he remains in the immediate vicinity, in a securely locked box;

(iii) if at the end of his period of duty it contains any detonator, return the case and the detonator to an explosives store; and

(iv) retain the key of the case in his own possession throughout the period during which he is on duty.

(b) No shot-firer shall remove a detonator from a detonator case (except within the explosives store) unless it is required for immediate use.

9. (1) A detonator shall be crimped to any fuse at a quarry only by means of crimpers made for the purpose and provided by the owner of the quarry.

(2) Primers shall be made up as near to their point of use as is reasonably practicable and only in sufficient numbers for the immediate work in hand.

(3) No person, other than a shot-firer to whom a detonator has been issued for use or a person authorized by the manager to act as a shot-firer, shall be in possession of any detonator at any place in a quarry other than an explosives store. Save as aforesaid no person shall issue or take any detonator from such a store.

(4) No person shall carry any detonator at a quarry (otherwise than within an explosives store) except in a securely locked detonator case used solely for that purpose and provided by the owner of the quarry: Provided that this regulation shall not be construed as prohibiting a primer cartridge fitted with a detonator being taken in a case, bag or canister for carrying explosives and complying with the requirements of Regulation 10 (1) to a place where it is intended to fire a shot.

(5) At every quarry in which detonators are used, the manager shall ensure that no detonator case is issued for use in the quarry unless it is so constructed and maintained that when such case is closed it is impossible for any detonator or the leads of any detonator contained in the case to touch any metal part thereof which is—

(a) exposed outside the case, or

(b) in contact with any other metal part of the case which is exposed outside the case.

10. (1) Except when within an explosives store, no person shall carry any explosive or blasting agent (other than detonating fuse) otherwise than in a closed case, carton, bag or canister so constructed and maintained as to prevent both any escape or leakage of the explosive or blasting agent and danger from sparks. The manager shall make and secure the efficient carrying out of arrangements to ensure that all such cases, cartons, bags and canisters are kept clean and free from grit.

(2) Except in pursuance of the proviso to Regulation 9 (4) no person shall put anything other than explosives or blasting agents into a case, carton, bag or canister provided for the purpose of carrying explosives.

(3) Every person having any case, carton, bag or canister of explosives or blasting agents in his possession or control shall ensure that it is deposited only in a place of safety; and if at the end of his period of duty the case, carton, bag or canister contains any explosive or blasting agent he shall return it to an explosives store.

(4) No person shall (except within an explosives store) remove any explosive or blasting agent from any case, carton, bag or canister provided for the purpose of carrying explosives or blasting agents unless the shot-firer concerned requires the explosives or blasting agents immediately for charging a shot-hole or a heading or for firing a shot.

11. No person shall take any explosive, blasting agent or detonator into any room or compartment containing machinery, or any mess-room, work-room, recreation room or other place where persons congregate or into any place in which there is a fire, an electric heating apparatus or a heating apparatus using a flame.

12. No person shall either smoke, or take or ignite any naked light, within 6.10 metres (20 feet) of any explosive, blasting agent or explosives store, and no person shall take any explosive, blasting agent or detonator within 6.10 metres (20 feet) of a naked light: provided that nothing in this regulation shall prevent the use of a naked light by a shot-firer for firing a shot.

13. (1) Every motor vehicle used for carrying explosives or blasting agents at a quarry shall be maintained in sound mechanical condition in all respects.

(2) Every such motor vehicle shall be conspicuously marked by—

(a) suitable signs containing the word "EXPLOSIVES" in red lettering at least six inches high on a white background, and,

(b) red flags or red flashing beacons; which shall be clearly visible from both the front and the rear of the vehicle.

(3) The metal parts of every such vehicle which are liable to come in contact with containers of explosives or blasting agents shall be suitably covered with wood, tarpaulin or other suitable material.

(4) No goods or materials other than those necessary for blasting purposes shall be carried in or on any vehicle in which explosives or blasting agents are being carried.

(5) No motor vehicle shall be loaded with more than 80 per cent of its carrying capacity or 3,629 kilograms (8,000 lbs.) (whichever is the less) when carrying explosives or blasting agents.

(6) Explosives or blasting agents carried on vehicles shall be so secured or fastened as to prevent any part of the load from becoming dislodged.

(7) Detonators shall not be carried in the same vehicle as other explosives or blasting agents except in a suitable container in a separated compartment.

(8) A vehicle carrying explosives or blasting agents shall not at any time be left unattended.

(9) Only those persons necessary for the handling of explosives or blasting agents shall travel on a vehicle that is carrying explosives or blasting agents and the number of persons being carried, including the driver, shall not exceed three.

(10) At every quarry, any road or similar surface used by vehicles carrying explosives, blasting agents or detonators shall be suitably constructed and properly maintained.

(11) At every quarry, any vehicle carrying explosives, blasting agents, or detonators shall be driven in a safe manner and at such speed as will not endanger the safety of the persons employed.

PART III. Equipment, Apparatus and Material for Firing Shots.

14. (1) A shot-firer shall fire a shot only by means of electric shot-firing apparatus, cable or fuse (as the case may be) provided for that purpose by the owner of the quarry.

(2) No person shall take into or use at a quarry any fuse other than safety fuse or detonating fuse: provided that this paragraph shall not apply in relation to any igniter cord approved by the Minister or an inspector under Regulation 32.

15. A shot-firer who is in charge of any electric shot-firing apparatus shall comply with the following requirements, namely:

(a) he shall retain in his own possession throughout the period while he is on duty any removable handle or key;

(b) he shall not place any removable handle or key in position in the apparatus until he is about to fire a shot, and

(c) he shall remove any removable handle or key from the apparatus immediately after firing each shot.

16. (1) If any electric shot-firing apparatus is or appears to be defective or fails to fire all or any of the shots in a properly connected group of shots at one operation, the shot-firer in charge of the apparatus shall not use it further but shall report the circumstances either to the person under whose immediate supervision he works or to the manager.

(2) If any electric shot-firing apparatus approved for multi-shot-firing fails to fire all the shots in any properly connected group of shots at one operation, it shall be deemed to be defective for the purposes of the preceding paragraph but notwithstanding the provisions of that paragraph it may be used to attempt to fire the unfired shots in that group of shots in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 34.

17. No person other than a competent person authorised by the manager to do so shall open or otherwise tamper with any electric shot-firing apparatus.

PART IV. Shot-firing—General.

18. No shot-firer shall fire any shot unless he is satisfied that the charge is placed so as to be safe for the firing of a shot.

19. No person shall pull out any detonator lead or fuse from any charged shot-hole or heading.

20. (1) No shot-firer shall fire a shot electrically unless the shot-firing cable is of sufficient length to enable him to do so from a place of safety.

(2) No person, other than a shot-firer who is about to fire a shot, shall couple any shot-firing cable to any detonator or shot-firing apparatus.

(3) No shot-firer shall at a quarry couple a shot-firing cable to shot-firing apparatus for the purpose of firing a shot unless the cable has already been coupled by him to the detonator or detonator circuit.

(4) (a) No shot-firer shall fire any group of shots in a quarry by means of electric shot-firing apparatus unless he has previously tested the circuit for continuity by means of a testing device approved by an inspector and has found the circuit to be satisfactory.

(b) No shot-firer shall make a test required by this regulation unless all persons in the vicinity in the quarry have previously withdrawn to a place of safety and the shot-firer has himself taken proper shelter; provided that this provision shall not apply where approved testing devices, and no other testing devices, are used in the quarry for making such tests.

(5) No round of shots shall be fired in a quarry by any of the following methods, that is to say, parallel, series-parallel, or parallel-series.

(6) In this regulation "approved testing devices" means any device for testing electric shot-firing apparatus which meets the following requirements, namely:

(a) the current produced in the device is automatically limited to one-tenths of the minimum current required to explode a low tension detonator, and

(b) the device is for the time being approved by an inspector.

21. (1) For the purpose of securing the safety of all persons when shot-firing is being carried out, the manager shall make rules (in these Regulations referred to as shot-firing rules) allotting to competent persons, and specifying, the duties to be performed by them on any occasion on which shot-firing is about to be or is being carried out, and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the shot-firing rules shall—

(a) specify a suitable system to ensure by means of the posting of notices or sentries or otherwise that adequate warning is given to all persons within, near or approaching the danger zone determined by the shot-firer in pursuance of Regulation 22 that shot-firing is about to commence;

(b) specify a suitable system to ensure that adequate signals are given for the purpose of notifying persons employed at the quarry that shot-firing has for the time being ceased.

(2) It shall be the duty of the manager who has made shot-firing rules to secure that the rules are enforced.

(3) A shot-firing rule which is inconsistent with the provisions of any regulation made under the Act shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be of no effect.

(4) If an inspector is of opinion with respect to any shot-firing rules that provisions ought to be made in the rules for any matter for which provision is not for the time being so made or that different provisions ought to be made by such rules for any matter which for the time being is provided for by such rules, he may serve on the manager a notice stating his opinion and specifying the matter for which, in his opinion provision or different provision, as the case may be, ought to be made as aforesaid together with the nature of the provision that, in his opinion, ought to be made, and requiring the manager to amend the rules accordingly and any such notice shall, if it so specified therein, become operative forthwith.

(5) The provisions of section 146 of the Act with respect to references upon notices served by inspectors shall apply to a notice served under the last preceding paragraph and the relevant ground of objection to such a notice shall be that the provisions contained in the relevant shot-firing rules are adequate to secure the safety of all persons when shot-firing is being carried out.

(6) A copy of any shot-firing rules for the time being in force shall be kept at the office of the relevant quarry, and a copy of such rules shall be supplied to every shot-firer and to every person to whom any duty has been allotted by the said rules.

22. Any shot-firer who is about to carry out any shot-firing shall, before shot-firing is for the time being commenced, determine the danger zone likely to be created and ensure that:

(a) the warning required by the relevant shot-firing rules made in accordance with Regulation 21 (1) has been given; and

(b) no person is in the said danger zone without having taken proper shelter: provided that nothing in this regulation shall prevent the shot-firer and any person assisting him from remaining in the said danger area for the purpose of lighting a fuse.

23. (1) No person posted as a sentry in pursuance of shot-firing rules shall leave the place to which he is posted until the signals mentioned in Regulation 21 have been given or he has been directed to leave such place by the person who posted him.

(2) No person shall pass a sentry who has forbidden him to do so.

24. At every quarry the manager shall take such steps as may be necessary to secure that sufficient and suitable shelters are provided for the use of the persons employed thereat who are within danger zone likely to be created when shots are fired.

25. After the firing of every shot, the shot-firer who fired it or a competent person authorised for the purpose by the manager shall—

(a) ascertain by personal examination whether it is safe for ordinary working to be resumed in each working place affected by that shot and ensure that any necessary action is taken to make each such place safe for such working,

(b) in the course of his examination examine, where practicable, every socket in the face for any misfires and for any explosive remaining in any such socket and, if he has reason to think that any shot may not have completely exploded, for any unexploded part of the charge in the material brought down, and

(c) if any unexploded part of the charge is found—

(i) in case he is a shot-firer—either explode it by means of a primer cartridge or carefully remove it with a suitable tool made wholly of wood, or

(ii) in case he is not a shot-firer—forthwith report the circumstances to the shot-firer concerned who shall thereupon take steps in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph as if he himself had found the said unexploded part.

PART V. Shot-Firing—Additional provisions.

26. This part of these Regulations shall not apply with respect to any heading blast.

27. No person shall introduce any drill or other tool made wholly or partly of metal into, or into the socket of, any shot-hole in which a shot has been fired except in accordance with the scheme in force in pursuance of Regulation 40.

28. Explosives shall not be violently or forcibly pressed into a shot-hole.

29. No person shall charge a shot-hole in which a shot has previously been fired unless the hole has been so treated as to ensure that it is cool and that any burning material therein is extinguished and there has elapsed since the firing of the shot—

(a) in case the hole is to be charged with gunpowder—two hours, and

(b) in any other case—thirty minutes.

30. (1) No person shall charge a shot-hole with any cartridge the diameter of which is not at least 3.2 millimetres (one-eighth of an inch) less than the diameter of that shot-hole.

(2) No person shall for the purpose of charging or stemming any shot-hole, or testing any shot-hole in which there is explosive, use any tool in the shot-hole other than a tool made wholly of wood or any other tool of a type approved for the purpose by the Minister or an inspector: provided that if the depth of the shot-hole exceeds 2.74 metres (9 feet) a tool may be used which is made of wood with joints made of any suitable non-ferrous material, being a tool so constructed that any such non-ferrous material does not project beyond the level of the sides of the tool and cannot come into contact with any explosive in the shot-hole.

31. Where any shot is to be fired the shot-firer shall ensure that all surplus explosives, blasting agents and detonators are removed from the vicinity of the shot-hole before an attempt is made to fire a shot.

32. Where shots are fired by a safety fuse the following provisions shall apply, namely:

(a) no shot-firer shall fire a single shot by a safety fuse less than 0.91 metres (three feet) in length or any shot in a group of shots by a safety fuse less than 1.22 metres (4 feet) in length, and

(b) only one shot-firer shall attempt to light such fuses and he shall not attempt to light more than four such fuses before retiring to a place of safety unless igniter cord or some other means of lighting a group of shots approved by the Minister or an inspector is used.

33. (1) All shot-holes that are charged with explosives or blasting agents in one loading operation shall be fired in one blasting operation.

(2) Any shot-hole that has been charged with explosives or blasting agents, or any explosive charge that has been set shall not be left unfired but shall be fired at the time for blasting required by the relevant shot-firing rules.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), no shot-firer shall fire any shot during any period between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.

PART VI. Misfires.

34. (1) A shot shall be treated as a misfire if it fails to explode—

(a) in case the shot is being fired (whether or not in conjunction with detonating fuse) by safety fuse—after the shot-firer has withdrawn after once lighting or attempting to light the safety fuse or any other material or apparatus approved by the Minister for firing shots by safety fuse, or

(b) in case the shot is being so fired electrically, and either as a single shot or in a group of shots—after the shot-firer, having attempted unsuccessfully to fire the shot, has followed the procedure described in paragraph (2).

The procedure referred to in paragraph (1) (b) is as follows, namely, the shot-firer shall—

(a) disconnect from the shot-firing apparatus any removable handle or key and also the shot-firing cable,

(b) after waiting five minutes, examine the cable and connections for any defect, and remedy any defect found, and

(c) make a further attempt to fire the shot.

35. (1) Any person drilling a shot-hole near a misfire shall ensure that the hole is drilled not less than 1.83 metres (6 feet) from a hole known to contain explosives and shall ensure that the hole being drilled shall not converge on the hole containing explosives.

(2) If any misfire contains a detonator, the leads or fuse of the detonator, shall be attached either by a string to the shot-firing cable or to some distinctive marker.

36. Whenever any misfire has been or may have been dislodged by the firing of another shot where practicable a search shall be made, by or under the supervision of the shot-firer or a competent person authorised for the purpose by the manager, for the charge of the misfire and detonator.

37. In the event of a misfire, no person shall approach the shot-hole or place where the charge was placed (as the case may be) until—

(a) in case the shot is being fired (whether or not in conjunction with detonating fuse) by safety fuse—there has elapsed, since the lighting of the safety fuse or the attempt to light it, not less than thirty minutes, or

(b) in case the shot is so fired electrically—the shot-firer has disconnected from the shot-firing apparatus any removable handle or key and the shot-firing cable, and there has elapsed, since the last attempt to fire the shot, not less than five minutes.

38. In the event of a misfire, the shot-firer concerned shall forthwith give, or cause to be given, warning of the misfire to all persons approaching or likely to approach the shot-hole or place where the charge was placed (as the case may be) together with notice of the misfire either to the person under whose immediate supervision he works or to the manager.

39. In the event of a misfire, the shot-firer concerned shall—

(a) record the fact of the misfire in a book provided for the purpose by the owner of the quarry, and

(b) in case he leaves the place where the misfire occurred before the completion of the appropriate procedure specified in any scheme in force in pursuance of Regulation 40, ensure that sufficient danger notices are erected to warn any person approaching that place.

40. A manager shall ensure that there is at all times in force a scheme included in the relevant shot-firing rules specifying the procedure to be followed in the event of a misfire or of an unsatisfactory result of a test made in pursuance of Regulation 20 (4), and every such scheme shall contain provisions for securing the safety of persons.

PART VII. Heading Blasts.

41. A manager shall make and secure the efficient carrying out of arrangements to ensure that no explosive, blasting agent or detonator is placed in a heading for the purpose of a heading blast unless every shot fired for the purpose of or in connection with the making of that heading has previously been fired.

42. In case any unfired explosive, blasting agent or detonator has been placed in a heading for the purpose of a heading blast, no shot-firer shall fire in the heading any other shot not being a heading blast.

43. No lamp or light, other than a portable electric battery lamp or torch, shall be taken into or used by any person in any heading in which any explosive, blasting agent or detonator has been placed for the purpose of a heading blast.

44. In every case in which a heading is charged with any gunpowder or any loose grain explosive for the purpose of a heading blast, no person shall be in that heading while it is being or after it has been so charged unless he is wearing footwear having soles made wholly of rubber.

45. (1) No person shall in the course of charging or stemming a heading for the purpose of a heading blast use any tool, apparatus or appliance made wholly or partly of iron or steel, except where the charge has been stemmed by stemming which—

(a) consists of sand in sand bags, clay or turf, and

(b) is not less than one foot thick between any point at which the tool, apparatus or appliance can be applied and any part of the charge.

(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed as preventing the use in any heading of any vehicle which is made wholly or partly of iron or steel and is both suitable and is used, for transporting materials, explosives, blasting agents or detonators in the heading.

46. Any person laying detonating fuse in a heading at a quarry for the purpose of firing a heading blast shall ensure that the fuse is adequately protected from any damage which might be caused thereto in the course of the charging or stemming of the heading.

47. No shot-firer shall fire any heading blast otherwise than by means of double core detonating fuse, that is to say, a detonating fuse having two cores of high explosive throughout its length, each core being separately enclosed.

48. A manager shall make and secure the efficient carrying out of arrangements to ensure that in any case in which the operation of charging a heading with any explosive or blasting agent has been commenced, a watchman is continuously in attendance in that heading or at or within sight of the entrance thereof until the operation has been completed, the heading has been stemmed and any surplus explosives, blasting agents and detonators have been removed from the heading and from the vicinity of the entrance thereto.

49. A manager shall make and secure the efficient carrying out of arrangements to ensure that there shall be kept at the office at every quarry under his control an accurate plan of each heading at that quarry, showing the position, shape and dimensions thereof and indicating the amount and location of any explosives, blasting agents or detonators for the time being in the heading. Every such plan shall be preserved until the expiration of one year after the date upon which the heading to which it relates ceases to exist.

PART VIII. Inspections and Records.

50. (1) A manager shall ensure that a properly authorised person or persons make a thorough weekly inspection of all explosives, blasting agents and explosives stores in the manager's charge and make a report in writing to the manager stating that such inspection has been made and certifying as to the conditions found to exist.

(2) The manager shall take immediate steps to properly dispose of any deteriorated explosives or blasting agents found as a result of such an inspection and to correct any unsuitable conditions so found to exist.

(3) A manager shall make a prompt investigation when an act of careless placing or handling of explosives or blasting agents is discovered by or reported to him.

51. A manager shall ensure that a record of each primary blast shall be made in a book which shall be signed by the person in charge of the blast and the record shall include the following information, namely:

(a) the date, time and location of the blast,

(b) the burden, spacing, depth and number of holes blasted,

(c) the total weight of explosives or blasting agent used in each blast, and the average footage of top stemming and firing delays used in each hole, and

the said book shall be kept readily available for inspection at a place approved by an inspector.

PART IX. Duties of Manager.

52. (1) It shall be the duty of a manager to ensure that every person employed in blasting operations at a quarry under his control is familiar with such of these Regulations as apply to the work on which the person is engaged.

(2) It shall be the duty of a manager to ensure that every person employed at a quarry under his control, who is liable to be struck by falling material, shall be provided with a properly designed safety helmet and shall wear such helmet at all times during shot-firing operations.

(3) It shall be the duty of a manager to ensure that personal protective clothing and footwear worn by persons employed directly on blasting operations at a quarry under his control is suitable in all respects anti-static and otherwise.

53. The following are hereby revoked:

(a) Regulation 6 of the Quarries (General) Regulations, 1956 ( S.I. No. 274 of 1956 ); and

(b) all special rules providing for the use of explosives in quarries and established under section 25 of the Metalliferous Mines Regulation Act, 1872 (as applied to quarries by section 2 of the Quarries Act, 1894) and in force immediately before the coming into operation of these Regulations.

GIVEN under my Official Seal, this 19th day of August, 1971.

JOSEPH BRENNAN,

Minister for Labour.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

These regulations make provision for the storage, care, issue, transport and use of explosives in quarries. They regulate the duties of quarry managers and other persons involved in blasting operations and in firing explosives. They prescribe the type of equipment to be used and the safety measures to be adopted in using this equipment.