DRILLING & BLASTING

Rock blasting is the controlled use of explosives and

other methods to excavate, break down or remove rock It is practiced most often in mining, quarrying and civil engineering such as dam, tunnel or road construction.

TRANSPORTATION OF EXPLOSIVES
Important considerations:
Mode of transport Handling for transportation Traffic on road & road conditions

PRECAUTIONS: TRANSPORTATION OF EXPLOSIVES

To be transported in specially designed vehicle. Special sign on vehicle DANGER EXPLOSIVE. Vehicle should be in good working condition. Non Sparking metal floor e.g. copper & brass. Fully insulated electrical wire in the vehicle. At least two fire extinguisher of carbon tetrachloride. No metal except approved metal truck bodies should be allowed to come in contact of explosives. Metal, flammable & corrosive substances shall not be transported with explosives.

PRECAUTIONS: TRANSPORTATION OF EXPLOSIVES

Smoking should be prohibited in the vehicle.
No unauthorized person. Loading & unloading by trained staff only &

supervised by qualified personal. Traffic to be regulated while carrying explosives. Speed of explosive van. Safe distance with other vehicles. If explosives are not properly placed on the vehicles, speed breakers & bad roads may be proved danger.

HANDLING OF EXPLOSIVES
Dynamite may cause headaches, & severity is more

with unwrapped dynamite. Person handling dynamite should not smoke. He also should not carry any match box. Safety instruction by manufacturer comes with supply of dynamite, same should be followed.

STORAGE OF EXPLOSIVES
Storage of explosives is regulated by

INDIAN EXPLOSIVE ACT, 1884 Accidental detonation during storage of explosive may be caused due to following reasons:
Use of unsuitable rooms. Unsystematic control of wiring systems, fire alarm

systems, store closing devices & stay currents. Careless handling, unwrapping & distribution of explosives.

STORAGE OF EXPLOSIVES
Explosives should be placed in dried & intermediate

layers, well ventilated and protected from the water. Minimum distance of 100 M fro shafts & 20 M from electrical/Mechanical devices. Area surrounding to be free from inflammable debris. Separate compartment for detonators. Boxes with explosive should never be stored in a store but at least 15 M away from it. Entry of store should be restricted. Only authorized workers should work in the store.

HAZARDS WITH USE OF EXPLOSIVE

Causes of accident: Faulty Loading of blast holes. Failure to withdraw fast enough from the blast area. Returning to blasting points too soon after firing. Presence of strangers near blasting point. Premature detonation or misfire.

PRECAUTIONS AT BLASTING SITE

Basic Precautions Blasting Sites.
Drilling & Blasting.

Shot Firing. Electrical circuit. Safety fuse. Precautions before and after firing

DISPOSAL OF EXPLOSIVES
Due to wrong estimation, quantity procured may be in

excess of the requirement. Excess quantity can not be diverted to any other project. Excess explosive should be destroyed strictly according to approved methods in consultation with supplier or manufacturer or appropriate authority. Explosives, empty cartridges, boxes and other material used in packing of explosives should not be left lying around.

DISPOSAL OF EXPLOSIVES
It should be destroyed and burnt at an isolated

location in the open, No person will be allowed to near to location of burning, once burning starts. Minimum distance is 33 M.

DOS & DONTS FOE EXPLOSIVES

Transportation of explosives. Storing Explosives. Using Explosives. Preparing the Primer. Drilling & Loading. Shooting Electrically. Shooting with Fuse. Underground work. Before & After Firing. Explosive disposal. Applicable to seismic prospecting.