Occupational Health and Safety Code

466(1)

An employer must ensure that no person engages in an activity that may 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 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, fires, 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, supplies and equipment in the blasting area are under the direction and control of a blaster before blasting activities are allowed to 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, fire, burn or destroy an explosive or detonator or perform other work directly with an explosive or detonator.

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 of the current blasters who work at the work site, including each blaster's name and the certificate number, expiry date and the name of the issuer for each blaster's certificate.

468.51

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 showing the following:

(a) the number of bore holes loaded with explosives;

(b) the number of detonators used;

(c) the number of explosives detonated;

(d) the kind and amount of explosives used;

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

(f) the number and location of misfires;

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

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

(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.

468.52(1)

A blaster must immediately report to an employer

(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 from a work site is immediately reported to a police officer.

470

An employer and a blaster must ensure that a blaster complies with Blasting Explosives and Detonators — Storage, Possession, Transportation, Destruction and Sale (M82-8/1983), Revised 1993, published by Natural Resources Canada.

470.1(1)

An employer must ensure that a magazine is constructed, used, operated and maintained in accordance with National Standard of Canada CAN/BNQ 2910-500/2015, Explosives - Magazines for Industrial Explosives.

470.1(2)

An employer must ensure that the lighting used in a magazine does not create a fire or explosion hazard.

470.2(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that explosives, 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 at a work site are stored in a magazine.

470.2(3)

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

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 case, canister, container, day box, magazine or any other place where explosives or detonators are located.

470.4

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

473(1)

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

473(2)

An employer must ensure that explosives being transported are

(a) protected from damage, and

(b) transported in their original packaging.

473(3)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that the leg wires of electric detonators are shunted and folded before being transported and remain shunted and folded while they are being transported.

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 any metals or with each other,

(ii) are made of non-conductive material,

(iii) are weatherproof, and

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

(b) the explosives 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(3)

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.

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.

473.2(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 that has broken down, the explosives are

(a) placed under proper security,

(b) located at a safe distance from the track, road or 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

An employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) stored explosives are inspected at reasonably practicable intervals to ensure that no hazards to workers exist because an explosive is damaged, has deteriorated or is otherwise unsafe,

(b) deteriorated, damaged or otherwise unsafe explosives are removed from storage,

(c) deteriorated, damaged or otherwise unsafe explosives are not used in any blasting activities, and

(d) deteriorated, damaged or otherwise unsafe explosives

(i) are destroyed, removed for destruction or otherwise made safe in accordance with the manufacturer specifications, or

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

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 activities at the work site, and

(b) are removed from a magazine in quantities of not more than what is required to complete the blasting activities.

477(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that an explosive removed from a magazine is sectioned or cut only if there is no reasonable alternative available 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.

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 tools made of non-sparking material are used for

(a) opening containers or packages of explosives,

(b) preparing explosives,

(c) loading bore holes with explosives, and

(d) any other work performed directly with explosives.

480(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that, when detonators are crimped to detonating cords and fuses are cut,

(a) standard crimping tools are used, and

(b) the work 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 required to prime the explosives are present in the blasting area.

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 stored explosives.

481(3)

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

481(4)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) only a sufficient number of explosives are primed for the specific 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, explosives not required for the blasting activities 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 electric detonators are shunted and folded until immediately before the detonator is connected to the blasting circuit.

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.

484

An employer and a blaster must ensure that, if weather conditions may detonate an explosive or otherwise create a hazard to workers,

(a) all blasting activities are stopped, and

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

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.

486.1

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

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 unraveled, unwound or otherwise handled in a manner that does not damage the leg wires.

490

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.

491(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that loading poles, tamping poles and pole extension fittings are made of non‑sparking, anti‑static material.

491(2)

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 used to provide sequential detonation are delayed to minimize misfires.

494(1)

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

(a) not more than 600 millimetres above ground level, and

(b) wrapped on a wooden or plastic lath or a wire pin flag.

494(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that the position of a blast hole is marked by setting the base of the wooden or plastic lath or wire pin flag in the blast hole.

495(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) electric detonators, blasting circuits and blasting machines are tested with a galvanometer or circuit tester equipment before detonation, and

(b) all workers are at a safe distance from the blasting area or are protected by suitable cover before an electric detonator, blasting circuit or blasting machine is 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 detonating cords are not connected or attached to down lines and trunk cords until all the bore holes are loaded.

497.1

An employer and a blaster must ensure that no equipment, other than equipment directly involved in blasting activities, 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 roads, trails, paths and other approaches in proximity to a blasting area are accessible only to workers who work at the work site if the work site is located in or near

(a) a populated area, or

(b) a place where blasting activities may create a hazard to other persons.

498.1

An employer and a blaster must ensure that a blasting area is clearly identified by posted signs or flagging.

499

When blasting activities are being conducted, an employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) only workers involved in the blasting activities 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 explosives are 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 to return.

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 down line 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 explosive, or

(b) other suitable protection is used over the detonator and explosive to prevent earth, rock and debris from being thrown in the air by the detonated explosive.

503(1)

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

(a) no explosive is loaded, primed or detonated using an electric detonator in the vicinity of a radiofrequency transmitter, unless the radiofrequency transmitter is farther than the applicable minimum separation distance  listed in Schedule 10, Table 1 and Table 2, and

(b) transmitters and other power 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 Schedule 10, Table 1 and Table 2.

503(3)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that no electric detonators are placed in or removed from the containment area of a vehicle if a radiofrequency transmitter in the vehicle is actively transmitting.

504

An employer and a blaster must ensure that all safety fuse assemblies are 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.

505(1)

An employer and blaster must ensure that blasting machines are used for all electric blasting activities.

505(2)

Despite subsection (1), an employer and a blaster must ensure that a battery system is not used for electric blasting activities.

505(3)

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

506

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

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

(b) if the firing line 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 exits suitable cover or returns to the blasting area until

(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,

(b) a blaster performs an inspection of the blasting area, and

(c) a blaster takes whatever action is necessary to ensure that work is safe to resume.

509(2)

If a blaster suspects a misfire when an explosive is detonated using a safety fuse assembly and delay detonators, an employer and a blaster must ensure that no worker exits suitable cover or returns to the blasting area 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(3)

If a blaster suspects a misfire when an explosive is detonated using electric detonators, an employer and a blaster must ensure that no worker exits suitable cover or returns to the blasting area 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(4)

Despite subsections (2) and (3), an employer and a blaster must ensure that no worker exits suitable cover or returns to the blasting area until

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

(b) the blasting cable ends are shunted, and

(c) a blaster conducts an inspection to determine the cause of the misfire or suspected misfire.

509(5)

Subsection (4)(c) does not apply to a blaster when conducting an inspection under subsection (4)(c).

509(6)

Despite subsection (1), if electric blasting is performed with delay detonators at a mine or mine site, an employer and a blaster must ensure that no worker returns to the blasting area or exits suitable cover until a blaster determines it safe to do so.

510(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that a misfire or a detonator connected to a misfire is not withdrawn.

510(2)

Subsection (1) does not apply to a misfire that occurs during oil well blasting activities, perforating activities or underground mine blasting.

510.1(1)

lf an excavator is being used to remove a misfire, an employer and a blaster must ensure that only a blaster and the worker operating the excavator are in the area that may be impacted by 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 directly involved in the drilling activity are in the area that may be impacted by an explosion, and

(c) the drilling does not cause the misfire to detonate.

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)

If an undetonated explosive or 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 misfire warning of the presence of the undetonated explosive or misfire, and

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

511(3)

If a blaster suspects an undetonated explosive or misfire that has not been made safe, the blaster must report the location of the suspected undetonated explosive or misfire to the employer as soon as possible.

511(4)

If a worker suspects an undetonated explosive or misfire, the worker must

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

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

511(5)

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

511(6)

After the undetonated explosive or 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 control route as reasonably practicable, and

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

515(4)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that primed explosives are kept in separate containers 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 blasting activity.

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 perforating explosives, other than detonators, into a perforating gun or a down hole tool if an employer ensures that a blaster is readily available to provide assistance when required by the worker.

516(4)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that a blaster

(a) detonates perforating explosives, including using a drop bar in a tubing‑conveyed perforating firing system, and

(b) retrieves the perforating firing system from the well bore.

516(5)

If a primed explosive is at the surface, an employer and a blaster must ensure that all power and electronic transmitting devices within 20 metres of the primed explosive are turned off.

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 particular seismic activity are returned to a magazine on the drill,

(b) magazines are closed and locked,

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

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

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

(f) a fire extinguisher with a rating of at least 4-A:40-B:C is easily accessible.

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 force of the explosion.

517.3

Sections 517.4 to 517.91 apply to work related to explosives at mines and mine sites.

517.4(1)

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 or containers and the day boxes or containers are separated by a distance of at least 8 metres.

517.4(2)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that

(a) explosives in a day box or container are arranged, protected and located to ensure that they do not come into contact with anything that may cause unintended detonation, and

(b) day boxes and containers are identified by clearly visible signage reading "Danger 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 the blasting machine through the blasting area

(a) are waterproof,

(b) consist of 2 insulated conductors, and

(c) are used only for blasting activities.

517.6

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

517.7(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that, when detonating cords are used to prime explosives in blast holes,

(a) the detonating cord reel is kept a safe distance from other explosives,

(b) the detonating cords extend at least 1 metre from the blast hole, and

(c) the detonating cords are secured at the top of the blast hole.

517.7(2)

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

517.7(3)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that

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

(b) detonating cords are not coupled to a blasting cable, explosives in a blast hole or delay or relay until final blast preparation,

(c) the main or trunk lines are spliced

(i) in accordance with manufacturer's specifications, or

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

(d) the blasting cables are free from kinks or coils when laid out,

(e) the blasting cables are 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) detonators are only attached to the detonating cord immediately before detonation.

517.8(1)

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

517.8(2)

Subsection (1) does not apply to controlled blasting.

517.9

Before an electric blasting system is connected, an employer and a blaster must ensure that signs are posted around the blasting area warning that mobile radio transmitters must be turned off within 20 metres of the blasting area.

517.91

An employer and a blaster must ensure that a blast hole is not left unattended unless

(a) the ends of any electric detonator wires are shunted, and

(b) a warning sign is posted that indicates the presence of a blast hole.

517.92

Sections 517.93 to 517.9991 apply to work related to explosives at an underground mine.

517.93

An employer must ensure that a worker does not drill a hole 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 in closed containers designed to protect against unintended detonation, dangerous movement and sparking and induction from electrical sources during transportation.

517.96(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that a day box

(a) is kept closed until immediately before the bore hole is loaded, and

(b) is closed immediately after the bore hole is loaded. 

517.96(2)

If there are 2 or more day boxes containing explosives 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 explosives are transported on a hoist in a mine shaft unless procedures are developed by a competent person to ensure the safe transport of the explosives.

517.98

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

517.99(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that tests are performed for the presence of flammable 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 explosives are 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(3)

If the atmosphere within 25 metres of a blast hole contains more than 1 percent of methane or 20 percent of the lower explosive limit of a flammable gas, an employer and a blaster must ensure that the blast hole is filled with stemming material.

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 activities.

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 in series, except in mine shaft excavation work.

517.994

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

517.995(1)

An employer and a blaster must ensure that misfires are removed from a blast hole only by using a jet of water.

517.995(2)

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 activities are 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 in an underground mine at the time an explosive is detonated from the surface.

517.999

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

(a) only the blaster and workers required to perform the blasting activities are present in the permanent underground firing station, and

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

517.9991(1)

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

517.9991(2)

An employer and a blaster conducting secondary blasting activities must ensure that, if explosives are placed directly on top of the material being blasted, a refuge or shelter for the blaster is located at least 150 metres away from the explosives.

517.9991(3)

An employer and a blaster conducting secondary blasting activities where explosives are placed directly on top of the material being blasted must ensure that only instantaneous detonators are used.