Occupational Health and Safety Code

465.1

This Part, except section 517.1, does not apply to any work related to fireworks or pyrotechnics.

466(1)

An employer must ensure that no person engages in an activity that may use or create an ignition source within 15 metres of an explosive at a work site.

466(2)

A person must not engage in an activity that may use or create an ignition source within 15 metres of an explosive at a work site.

466(3)

Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to activities where workers are working with explosives that require the use of an ignition source and where any hazards created by an ignition source are controlled.

468(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that a worker who uses, handles, prepares, loads, detonates, burns or destroys an explosive or detonator or performs other work directly with an explosive or detonator is

(a) a blaster, or

(b) under the direct supervision of a blaster.

468(2)

Subsection (1) does not apply to the transportation of explosives in a vehicle.

468(3)

An employer must ensure that a blasting area and all explosives, detonators, supplies and equipment in the blasting area are under the direction and control of a blaster before blasting activities begin and during blasting activities.

468(4)

If there are 2 or more blasters working at a blasting area, an employer must designate the responsibility under subsection (3) to one of them.

468(5)

A worker who is not referred to in subsection (1) must not use, handle, prepare, load, detonate, burn or destroy an explosive or detonator or perform other work directly with an explosive or detonator.

468(6)

A blaster must ensure that all equipment, personal protective equipment and explosives used for blasting activities meet the requirements of section 12.

468.1(1)

A blaster’s certificate may be issued by

(a) a Director, or

(b) an organization approved by a Director.

468.1(2)

A person may apply for a blaster's certificate in a manner authorized by a Director.

468.1(3)

A Director may establish the qualifications and minimum standards that a Director considers necessary for a person making an application under subsection (2).

468.1(4)

A Director may compel a person who applies under subsection (2) to provide a Director or any organization under subsection (1) with any information that a Director determines is necessary for considering whether to issue a blaster's certificate.

468.1(5)

A Director, at any time, may impose any terms and conditions that the Director considers necessary on the blaster's certificate, and those terms and conditions are part of the blaster's certificate.

468.1(6)

A person who is issued a blaster's certificate must comply with the blaster's certificate.

468.3(1)

A Director, by notice in writing, may cancel a blaster's certificate or suspend it for the period specified in the notice if

(a) the blaster has failed to comply with a term or condition of the blaster's certificate, or

(b) for any other reason that, in the opinion of the Director, warrants the cancellation or suspension of the blaster's certificate.

468.3(2)

When a Director suspends a blaster's certificate, the Director may impose any terms and conditions that the Director considers necessary.

468.3(3)

The terms and conditions under subsection (2) must be complied with or performed before the suspension may be lifted.

468.3(4)

A person whose blaster's certificate has been suspended or cancelled must surrender the certificate immediately to an officer on request.

468.5

An employer must ensure that a report is made that includes the following information for each blaster who works at a work site:

(a) the blaster's name;

(b) the blaster's certificate number;

(c) the blaster's certificate expiry date;

(d) the name of the issuer of the blaster's certificate.

468.51(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that the blaster makes a report in a log book at the end of the blaster's shift that includes the following:

(a) the number of blast holes;

(b) the number of detonators used;

(c) the number of explosives detonated;

(d) the kind and quantity of explosives used;

(e) the kind and quantity of explosives removed from a magazine;

(f) the number and location of any misfires;

(g) the kind and quantity of explosives returned to a magazine;

(h) the number and location of any explosives left undetonated;

(h.1) any other relevant information;

(i) the name of the blaster who entered the information into the report;

(j) the date on which the information was entered into the report.

468.51(2)

An employer must ensure that the report made under subsection (1) is kept for at least 2 years from the date the report was made.

468.52(1)

A blaster must report to an employer as soon as possible;

(a) the suspected, attempted or known unauthorized entry into a magazine, or

(b) the loss or theft of explosives or detonators from a work site.

468.52(2)

If a worker becomes aware of an unauthorized entry into a magazine or the loss or theft of explosives or detonators from a work site, the worker must report the unauthorized entry, loss or theft to a blaster or an employer as soon as possible.

468.52(3)

An employer must ensure that the loss or theft of explosives or detonators from a work site is immediately reported to a police officer.

470.1(1)

An employer must ensure that a magazine meets the requirements of National Standard of Canada CAN/BNQ 2910-500/2015 (R 2022), Explosives - Magazines for Industrial Explosives.

470.1(2)

An employer must ensure that the electrical equipment, systems, lighting and any other thing used in a magazine does not create a fire or explosion hazard.

470.2(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that explosives, safety fuse assemblies or detonators that are not used in a blasting activity

(a) are stored in accordance with this Code, or

(b) are destroyed or disposed of

(i) in accordance with manufacturer specifications, or

(ii) safely by a blaster if there are no manufacturer's specifications and despite section 12(e).

470.2(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that all explosives, safety fuse assemblies and detonators at a work site are stored in a magazine.

470.2(3)

Subsection (2) does not apply to a perforating gun at a work site where blasting activities are being performed if other measures are in place to prevent unintended detonation.

470.3

An employer and a blaster must ensure that no worker, except a blaster or a worker under the direct supervision of a blaster, has access to

(a) a blasting machine, or

(b) a day box, magazine or any other place where explosives or detonators are located.

470.4(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that explosives removed from a magazine are secured in a day box or used as soon as reasonably practicable.

470.4(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that any unused explosives, safety fuse assemblies and detonators are returned to a magazine between periods of work.

470.4(3)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that, until an explosive is about to be primed, explosives and detonators that are removed from a magazine are kept in separate day boxes unless the day box is designed for them to be stored together.

470.4(4)

Subsections (1) to (3) do not apply to a perforating gun.

470.4(5)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that measures are in place to prevent unintended detonation of an explosive in a perforating gun when not in use.

470.4(6)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) explosives in a day box or loaded into a perforating gun do not come into contact with anything that may cause unintended detonation, and

(b) clearly visible signage reading "Danger Explosives" identifies

(i) day boxes containing explosives, and

(ii) leaded perforating guns.

473(1)

An employer must comply with the Dangerous Goods Transportation and Handling Act and the Explosives Act (Canada) when transporting explosives and detonators.

473(2)

An employer must ensure that, when transporting explosives and detonators, the explosives and detonators are

(a) protected from damage, and

(b) transported in their original packaging or other packaging that provides equivalent protection.

473(3)

An employer must ensure that, when transporting electric detonators, the leg wires of the electric detonators are shunted and folded.

473(4)

Subsection (3) does not apply to a perforating gun if other measures are in place to prevent unintended detonation.

473.1(1)

An employer must ensure that when a vehicle is used to transport explosives, the following requirements are met:

(a) the explosives and detonators are kept in separate compartments that

(i) prevent the explosives and detonators from coming into contact with anything that may cause unintended detonation,

(ii) are made of non-conductive material,

(iii) are weatherproof, and

(iv) are secured against unintended movement and unauthorized access;

(b) the explosives and detonators cannot fall from the vehicle.

473.1(2)

An employer must ensure that a vehicle used to transport explosives is operated by a competent worker.

473.1(4)

An employer must ensure that a vehicle used to transport explosives is equipped with 2 easily accessible fire extinguishers with a rating of at least 4-A:40-B:C.

473.1(5)

Subsection (1)(a) does not apply to a perforating gun if other measures are in place to prevent unintended detonation.

473.2(1)

An employer must ensure that, if a vehicle transporting explosives breaks down, the explosives are transferred to another vehicle or removed from the vehicle unless, in the opinion of the worker operating the vehicle,

(a) the repairs are minor,

(b) the repairs can be made without creating a hazard, and

(c) the repairs will be performed in a reasonable time. 

473.2(2)

An employer must ensure that, if explosives are removed from a vehicle in accordance with subsection (1), the explosives are

(a) placed under proper security,

(b) located at a safe distance from the highway, and

(c) located at least 300 metres from an inhabited building or a work area.

474

An employer and a blaster must ensure that the explosives with the earliest manufacturing date are removed from a magazine first and used first.

475(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that explosives and detonators stored in a magazine are

(a) inspected at reasonably practicable intervals to verify that the explosives and detonators are not deteriorated, damaged or is otherwise unsafe,

(b) removed from the magazine if deteriorated, damaged or otherwise unsafe, and

(c) not used in any blasting activities if deteriorated, damaged or otherwise unsafe.

475(2)

If explosives and detonators are deteriorated, damaged or otherwise unsafe, and employer and a blaster must ensure that the explosives and detonators are

(a) destroyed, removed for destruction or otherwise made safe in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications, or

(b) despite section 12(e), destroyed, removed for destruction or otherwise made safe by a blaster if there are no manufacturer's specifications.

477(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that the explosives at a work site

(a) are of explosive strengths appropriate to the blasting activity at the work site, and

(b) are removed from a magazine in quantities that do not exceed what is necessary to perform the blasting activity.

477(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that if an explosive removed from a magazine is sectioned or cut only if there is no reasonable alternative to obtain the appropriate size or strength of the explosive.

477(3)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that, if an explosive is required to be sectioned, cut or pierced, it is sectioned, cut or pierced only on a clean, non-sparking surface that will not detonate the explosive.

479(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that cartridge explosives are not removed from their original outer cover.

479(2)

A worker must not remove a cartridge explosive from its original outer cover.

480(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that only non-sparking tools that will not detonate an explosive are used for

(a) opening a package of explosives,

(b) crimping activities,

(c) cutting fuses and explosives, and

(d) any other work performed directly with explosives.

480(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that work referred to in subsection (1) is performed in a safe location.

481(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) an explosive is primed as close to the location of the blasting activity as reasonably practicable, and

(b) only workers necessary to prime the explosives are present.

481(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that an explosive is not primed in a location that would create a risk of ignition of explosives in a day box or magazine.

481(3)

If drilling is being performed in blasting activities, an employer and a blaster must ensure that primed explosives are not prepared before the drilling is complete.

481(4)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) only the necessary quantity of explosives are primed for the blasting activity, and

(b) explosives are prepared and loaded into only one bore hole at a time.

481(5)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that before an explosive is detonated, any explosives not required for the blasting activity are removed and located at a safe distance from the blasting area.

483(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that the leg wires of an electric detonator are shunted and folded until immediately before the detonator is connected to the blasting circuit or as soon as reasonably practicable.

483(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that electric detonators used together in a single blasting circuit are made by the same manufacturer or are otherwise compatible.

483(3)

Subsection (1) does not apply to a perforating gun if other measures are in place to prevent unintended detonation.

484

An employer and a blaster must ensure that, if weather conditions may detonate an explosive,

(a) all blasting activities are stopped, and

(b) workers are withdrawn to a safe distance from the blasting area until the weather conditions subside.

484.1

An employer and a blaster must ensure that no unintended detonation of an explosive or detonator is caused or may be caused by any electrical energy, including static electricity.

485(1)

Subject to sections 510.1 and 517.93, an employer must ensure that no drilling or excavation is performed within 5 metres of a blast hole.

485(2)

When an explosive has been detonated, an employer and a blaster must ensure that no drilling or excavation is performed until the area to be drilled or excavated is inspected by a blaster for misfires.

486(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that a bootleg is inspected to determine whether any explosives remain.

486(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that, if any explosives are identified under subsection (1), the explosives are washed out, blown out, destroyed or otherwise made safe before drilling occurs in the area of the bootleg.

487

An employer and a blaster must ensure that a bore hole is of sufficient size to allow an explosive and sufficient stemming material to be safely loaded.

488

An employer and a blaster must ensure that workers are safely positioned away from the blast hole during a blasting activity.

488.1

An employer and a blaster must ensure the quantity of explosive loaded in each bore hole does not exceed what is necessary to perform the blasting activity.

489

An employer and a blaster must ensure that leg wires are handled in a manner that does not damage the leg wires.

491(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that all tools used for tamping explosives are made of non‑sparking, anti‑static material and will not cause a detonation.

491(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that a worker does not use excessive force when tamping explosives.

492

An employer and a blaster must ensure that detonating connectors are used, explosives are detonated in a sequence with a delay between each detonation to prevent a misfire.

492.1

An employer and a blaster must ensure that any explosives in a blast hole are protected from water damage if water may enter the blast hole before the explosive is detonated.

494(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that leg wires in blast holes are

(a) at least 600 millimetres above ground level, and

(b) secured at the top of the blast hole on a wooden lath, or by some other non-conductive and effective means of securement.

494(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that the position of a blast hole is marked by

(a) setting the base of the wooden lath or a pin flag in the blast hole, or

(b) some other effective means of informing workers of the location.

494.1(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that blast holes are stemmed sufficiently to control the explosion.

494.1(2)

Subsection (1) does not apply to controlled blasting.

495(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) electric detonators, blasting circuits and blasting machines are tested before detonation to verify they are operating properly, and

(b) all workers are at a safe distance from the blasting area or are protected by suitable cover before electric detonators, blasting circuits and blasting machines are tested.

495(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that a blasting machine is clearly marked with its capacity.

497

An employer and a blaster must ensure that a detonating cord is not connected to a downline and trunkline until all the bore holes necessary for the blasting activity are loaded.

497.1

An employer and a blaster must ensure that no equipment, other than equipment directly involved in the blasting activity, is operated within 8 metres of either a bore hole being loaded with explosives or a blast hole.

498

An employer and a blaster must ensure that approaches providing access to a blasting area are closed to persons other than workers who work at the work site.

498.1

An employer and a blaster must ensure that clearly visible signage is posted to identify the perimeter of a blasting area.

499

When a blasting activity is being conducted, an employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) only workers necessary for the blasting activity are present in the blasting area,

(b) workers are warned prior to an explosive being detonated,

(c) no explosive is detonated until workers are at a safe distance from the blasting area or are protected by suitable cover, and

(d) all workers remain at a safe distance from the blasting area or are protected by suitable cover until the requirements of section 509 are met. 

499.1

If a blaster has reason to believe that an explosive is burning in a blast hole, an employer and a blaster must ensure that workers are at a safe distance from the blasting area or are protected by suitable cover until a blaster determines it is safe for workers to return to the blasting area or exit suitable cover.

501(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that sources of electromagnetic radiation do not interfere with blasting activities.

501(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that electrical cables do not interfere with blasting activities.

501(3)

If explosives are being detonated within 60 metres of an overhead power line, an employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) detonating cord is used as a downline to the explosive,

(b) a leg wire detonator that is shorter than the distance from the overhead power line to the nearest ground level in the vicinity of the blasting activity is used to detonate the detonating cord, and

(c) precautions are taken to prevent damage to the overhead power line.

502

An employer and a blaster must ensure that, before an explosive is detonated on the surface of the ground,

(a) a blasting mat is placed over the detonator and the explosive, or

(b) if the use of a blasting mat is not reasonable practicable, other measures are in place that will protect workers from debris being thrown in the air by the explosion.

503(1)

Subject to subsection (2), an employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) no electric detonator is used in the vicinity of a radiofrequency transmitter, unless the radiofrequency transmitter is farther than the applicable minimum separation distance listed in Institute of Makers of Explosives IME SLP 20 2011, Safety Guide for the Prevention of Radio Frequency Radiation Hazards in the Use of Commercial Electric Detonators (Blasting Caps) or the distance listed in the manufacturer’s specifications for the electric detonator, whichever is greater, and

(b) a radiofrequency transmitter and other devices that may interfere with blasting activities are turned off.

503(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that detonator leg wires are shunted directly or through a blasting machine if a radiofrequency transmitter is used within the applicable minimum separation distance listed in Institute of Makers of Explosives IME SLP 20 2011, Safety Guide for the Prevention of Radio Frequency Radiation Hazards in the Use of Commercial Electric Detonators (Blasting Caps) or the distance listed in the manufacturer’s specifications for the electric detonator, whichever is greater.

503(3)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that, before an electric detonator is placed in or removed from the compartment of a vehicle, radiofrequency transmitters in or near the vehicle are turned off.

504

An employer and a blaster must ensure that a safety fuse assembly is at least 1 metre long and is long enough to

(a) protrude from the collar of the blast hole, and

(b) allow the blaster to reach a safe location after the blaster ignites the safety fuse assembly.

505(1)

An employer and blaster must ensure that a blasting machine is used for all electric blasting activities.

505(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that, after a blasting cable is connected to a detonator, workers and the blasting machine are at a safe distance from the blasting area or are protected by suitable cover before the blasting cable is connected to the blasting machine.

506

Before and after an explosive is detonated, an employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) if the blasting cable is not connected to a blasting machine, the blasting cable is shunted, or

(b) if the blasting cable is connected to a blasting machine, the blasting machine is set so it cannot detonate the explosive.

509(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that no worker returns to the blasting area or exits suitable cover until the later of

(a) the end of the longer of the following periods:

(i) 10 minutes after the last explosive was detonated or should have detonated;

(ii) the period specified in the manufacturer's specifications of the explosive or any equipment used in the blasting activity;

(iii) the period determined by a blaster, and

(b) the time necessary to meet the requirements of subsection (2).

509(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that no worker returns to the blasting area or exits suitable cover until a blaster

(a) performs an inspection of the blasting area to determine whether it is safe for workers to return to the blasting area or exit suitable cover, and

(b) takes whatever action is necessary to ensure that work is safe to resume.

509(3)

Subsections (1)(b) and (2) do not apply to a blaster when performing an inspection under subsection (2)(a).

509(4)

If a blaster has reason to believe a misfire occurred when an explosive is detonated using a safety fuse assembly and delay detonators, an employer and a blaster must ensure that no worker returns to the blasting area or exits suitable cover before the end of the longer of the following periods:

(a) 30 minutes after the last explosive was detonated or should have detonated;

(b) the period specified in the manufacturer’s specifications of the explosive or any equipment used in the blasting activity;

(c) the period determined by a blaster.

509(5)

If a blaster has reason to believe a misfire occurred when an explosive is detonated using electric detonators, an employer and a blaster must ensure that no worker returns to the blasting area or exits suitable cover before the end of the longer of the following periods:

(a) 10 minutes after the last explosive was detonated or should have detonated;

(b) the period specified in the manufacturer’s specifications of the explosive or any equipment used in the blasting activity;

(c) the period determined by a blaster.

509(6)

Despite subsections (4) and (5), an employer and a blaster must ensure that no worker returns to the blasting area or exits suitable cover until

(a) the blasting cable is disconnected from the blasting machine,

(b) the blasting cable ends are shunted, and

(c) the requirements of subsection (7) are met.

509(7)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that no worker returns to the blasting area or exits suitable cover until a blaster performs an inspection to determine

(a) the cause of the misfire that occurred or may have occurred, and

(b) that it is safe for workers to return to the blasting area and exit suitable cover.

509(8)

Subsections (6)(c) and (7) do not apply to a blaster when performing an inspection under subsection (7).

510.1(1)

If powered mobile equipment is being used to access a misfire, an employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) the work is performed under the direction of a blaster,

(b) only a blaster and the worker operating the powered mobile equipment are in the area that may be impacted by an explosion,

(c) the work does not cause the misfire to detonate, and

(d) the blaster and the worker operating the powered mobile equipment are protected from an explosion.

510.1(2)

If a hole is drilled to load explosives to detonate or disperse a misfire, an employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) the drilling is performed under the direction of a blaster,

(b) only the blaster and the workers necessary to perform the drilling activity are in the area that may be impacted by an explosion,

(c) the drilling does not cause the misfire to detonate, and

(d) the blaster and the workers are protected from an explosion.

511(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that an undetonated explosive or misfire in a blast hole is detonated or otherwise made safe immediately.

511(2)

Despite subsection (1), if an undetonated explosive or a misfire cannot be detonated or otherwise made safe immediately, an employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) clearly visible signs are posted in the location of the undetonated explosive or the misfire warning of the presence of the undetonated explosive or the misfire, and

(b) the undetonated explosive or the misfire is detonated or otherwise made safe as soon as reasonably practicable.

511(3)

If a worker has reason to believe there is an undetonated explosive or a misfire, the worker must

(a) take reasonable steps to ensure workers who may be exposed to the potentially undetonated explosive or the potential misfire are made aware of the location of the potentially undetonated explosive or the potential misfire, and

(b) report the location of the potentially undetonated explosive or the potential misfire to the employer and to a blaster as soon as possible.

511(4)

If a blaster has reason to believe an undetonated explosive or a misfire has not been made safe, the blaster must report the location of the potentially undetonated explosive or the potential misfire to the employer as soon as possible.

511(5)

An employer or a blaster who becomes aware of a potentially undetonated explosive or a potential misfire must ensure that workers are protected from the hazards associated with the undetonated explosive or the misfire.

511(6)

After the undetonated explosive or the misfire is detonated or otherwise made safe, an employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) the area is inspected for undetonated explosives, misfires, cartridges, detonators and any associated parts,

(b) any remaining undetonated explosives or misfires are detonated or otherwise made safe in accordance with this section, and

(c) all cartridges, detonators and any associated parts are collected and destroyed.

513

Once a blasting activity has been completed, an employer and a blaster must ensure that all waste from the blasting activity is collected and destroyed or removed for destruction.

515(1)

This section applies to explosives used to control avalanches.

515(2)

Despite section 481, during avalanche control activities involving the hand deployment of explosives an employer and a blaster may permit

(a) explosives to be primed away from the location of the blasting activity, and

(b) more than one explosive at a time to be primed.

515(3)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that explosives are primed

(a) as close to the location of the intended detonation as reasonably practicable, and

(b) in a safe, sheltered location where only the blaster and workers necessary to perform the priming activities are present.

515(4)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that primed explosives are kept in separate day boxes from pull-wire fuse lighters or other ignition sources.

515(5)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that a pull-wire fuse lighter is not connected to the safety fuse assembly of a primed explosive until immediately before the intended detonation.

516(1)

This section applies to oil well blasting and oil well perforating.

516(2)

An employer must ensure that oil well perforating is performed in accordance with API RP 67, Recommended Practice for Oilfield Explosives Safety, 3rd Edition, October 2019.

516(3)

Despite section 468, a competent worker who is not a blaster or under the direct supervision of a blaster may load explosives into a perforating gun or a downhole tool if an employer ensures that a blaster is readily available to provide assistance when required by the worker.

516(4)

Despite section 468, an employer and a blaster must ensure that a blaster

(a) detonates explosives, and

(b) retrieves the perforating firing system from the wellbore.

517(1)

This section applies to seismic blasting.

517(2)

Despite section 466, an employer may permit the use of an open flame to warm water on a seismic drill if

(a) the flame is used by a blaster or a worker under the direct supervision of a blaster,

(b) propane is the fuel source of the open flame, and

(c) the propane compressed gas cylinder used has a regulator.

517(3)

Before a worker uses an open flame to warm water on a seismic drill, a blaster must ensure that

(a) explosives not used in the seismic blasting activity are returned to a day box,

(b) day boxes are closed and locked,

(c) day boxes are kept at a safe distance from the water tank, piping or valve being heated and the open flame,

(d) compressed gas cylinders are secured and kept a safe distance from the closest day box, and

(e) combustible materials that may create a hazard to workers are removed from the immediate vicinity of the day boxes and the open flame.

517.1(1)

An employer must ensure that all work related to fireworks is performed in accordance with Display Fireworks Manual, 2010, published by Natural Resources Canada.

517.1(2)

An employer must ensure that all work related to pyrotechnics is performed in accordance with Special Effects Pyrotechnics Manual, Edition 3, 2014, published by Natural Resources Canada.

517.2(1)

When conducting secondary blasting, an employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) bore holes are used, and

(b) if multiple explosives are used on a single rock mass, the explosives are detonated simultaneously.

517.2(2)

Despite subsection (1), if it is not reasonably practicable to use bore holes when conducting secondary blasting, an employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) explosives are placed directly on top of the material being blasted, and

(b) each explosive is covered with a quantity of non-combustible material sufficient to control the explosion.

517.3

Sections 517.31 to 517.7 apply to work related to explosives at mines and mine sites.

517.31

An employer must ensure that a vehicle used to transport more than 25 kilograms of explosives has clearly visible signage indicating the vehicle contains explosives.

517.5(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that blasting circuits used for blasting activities meet the requirements of clause 4.7 of CSA Standard M421-16, Use of electricity in mines.

517.5(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that lead wires that run from a blasting machine through a blasting area

(a) are waterproof,

(b) are insulated,

(c) are used only for blasting activities, and

(d) are otherwise protected from damage.

517.6

An employer and a blaster must ensure that the blasting cable and any splice connections between leg wires and the blasting cable are not grounded.

517.7(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that inserting a detonating cord, loading a bore hole and stemming are as continuous of an activity as reasonably practicable.

517.7(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that, when a detonating cord is used to prime an explosive,

(a) the excess detonating cord is kept a safe distance from another explosive,

(b) the detonating cord extends at least 1 metre from the blast hole, and

(c) the detonating cord is secured at the top of the blast hole.

517.7(3)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) splices in a detonating cord are not inserted into a blast hole,

(b) a detonating cord is not connected to a blasting cable, an explosive in a blast hole, a delay or a relay until final detonation preparation,

(c) if a trunkline is spliced, it is spliced

(i) in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications, or

(ii) using a tight square knot if there are no manufacturer’s specifications,

(d) the blasting cable is laid out flat,

(e) the blasting cable is not laid out from a moving vehicle unless under the direct supervision of a blaster,

(f) all connections in the blasting cable, other than splices, are tight and at 90-degree angles, and

(g) a detonator is only attached to a detonating cord immediately before an intended detonation.

517.92

Sections 517.93 to 517.9991 apply to work related to explosives at underground mines.

517.93

An employer must ensure that no drilling is performed within 300 millimetres of any hole that has contained explosives.

517.94

An employer must ensure that magazines are designed, constructed and located in accordance with and otherwise meet specifications certified by a professional engineer.

517.95

An employer and a blaster must ensure that explosives are transported underground in

(a) a day box, or

(b) a fully enclosed storage receptacle made of material that will protect explosives from damage or being detonated.

517.96(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that a day box

(a) is only opened when an explosive or detonator is being removed from or returned to the day box, and

(b) is closed immediately after an explosive or detonator is removed from or returned to the day box.

517.96(2)

If there are 2 or more day boxes containing explosives or detonators at a working face, an employer and a blaster must ensure the day boxes are kept as far apart as reasonably practicable.

517.97

An employer must ensure that no explosive is moved on a hoist in a mine shaft unless a blaster develops and implements procedures to ensure safe transport of the explosive.

517.98

Despite section 468(1)(b), an employer and a blaster must ensure that only a blaster primes explosives.

517.99(1)

If flammable or combustible gas may be present, an employer and a blaster must ensure that tests are performed for the presence of flammable and combustible gas immediately

(a) before a bore hole is loaded,

(b) before an explosive is detonated,

(c) after an explosive is detonated, and

(d) before workers are permitted to return to the working face.

517.99(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that an explosive is not loaded or detonated if, within 25 metres of a bore hole or blast hole,

(a) the atmosphere contains more than 1 percent of methane or 20 percent of the lower explosive limit of a flammable gas,

(b) there is combustible dust that has not been treated with incombustible dust in a quantity sufficient to suppress the combustible dust, or

(c) the area has not been thoroughly wetted.

517.99(4)

Before detonating an explosive, an employer and a blaster must designate workers and position them at least 75 metres from the blasting area to prevent workers from approaching the blasting area for the duration of the blasting activity.

517.991

An employer and a blaster must ensure that any blasting cables used

(a) have a resistance adequate to supply sufficient current to
initiate the detonator,

(b) are of sufficient length to reach

(i) from the detonator to a safe distance from the blasting area, or

(ii) a location where the blaster is protected by suitable cover,

(c) are disconnected, short-circuited and remain short-circuited at the blasting machine end until ready to attach the blasting machine, and

(d) are staggered in length at the detonator end to prevent short-circuiting.

517.992

An employer and a blaster must ensure that explosives in blast holes are detonated from the bottom of the blast hole or as far down the blast hole as reasonably practicable.

517.993

An employer and a blaster must ensure that all explosives to be detonated in the same round are connected and detonated sequentially, except in mine shaft excavation work.

517.994

An employer and a blaster must ensure that when explosives are to be detonated in the same round, only those explosives are loaded into the bore holes.

517.995(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that misfires are removed from a blast hole by using a jet of water or another method that does not create a hazard to workers.

517.995(2)

If there is a potential misfire, an employer and a blaster must ensure that a detonator lead wire is not pulled from a blast hole.

517.996(1)

When a misfire is being detonated, an employer and a blaster must ensure that no other blasting activity is performed at the same time, including detonating other misfires.

517.996(2)

If the misfire cannot be removed or detonated, an employer and a blaster must ensure the misfire is deactivated.

517.996(3)

When deactivating a misfire, an employer and a blaster must

(a) remove the minimum amount of stemming material from the blast hole required to establish the true direction of the blast hole, and

(b) fire a separate explosive parallel to the misfire and no closer to it than 300 millimetres.

517.996(4)

If a blaster has reason to believe that an electric detonator is faulty, an employer and a blaster must ensure that the electric detonator's leg wires are short-circuited.

517.997

If an area of an underground mine is subject to sudden outbursts of gas or coal, an employer and a blaster must ensure that shock blasting is only performed in accordance with procedures certified by a professional engineer.

517.998

An employer and a blaster must ensure that no worker is present underground at the time an explosive is detonated from the surface.

517.999

When an explosive is detonated from a permanent underground firing station, an employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) only the blaster and workers necessary to detonate the explosive are present in the permanent underground firing station, and

(b) the blaster and workers referred to in clause (a) are upwind from the detonation.

517.9991(1)

An employer and a blaster conducting secondary blasting activities must ensure that an explosive placed directly on top of the material being blasted is not detonated if the methane content in the atmosphere is more than 6 percent of the lower explosive limit.

517.9991(3)

An employer and a blaster conducting secondary blasting activities where an explosive is placed directly on top of the material being blasted must ensure that only an instantaneous detonator is used.