SIMPLE EXPLOSIVE SAFETY TIPS

Safety tips in Explosive transportation and storage

Explosive is sincerely known to be highly dangerous due to the high energy emission at detonation.

Explosive can either undergo detonation or deflagration,

Depending on the type of Explosive, the intensity of the initiation energy and the present condition and sensitivity level of the Explosive.

Explosives had been design from manufacturer production point to be safe under some specified conditions.

For this reason, explosives are classified into high and low Explosive base on sensitive and energy Strength.

It also classified into primary, secondary and tertiary Explosive base on its working principle. Some country also further classify Explosive into class 1, 2...

All this attempt was to ensure good Safety storage and proper handling understanding.

Most Explosive may become unstable under temperature, handling status, environmental condition and storage. 

Having the knowledge and understanding of Explosive is not limited to just mining and Explosive Engineers. Having some simple understanding about Explosive and other Blasting accessories as an individual working in mine site, Explosive manufacturering companies, Agrochemical industry, and other related companies won't only add to you but also garantee safety management system.

Thou according to Explosive Acts and regulations only competent and certified professional person are allowed to relate with Explosive.

But in case if an ordinary person or someone working in other profession not related to Explosive come in contact with Explosive or Explosive unsafe act and working condition, having a little knowledge about this will go along way.

Safety tips on Explosive transportation, Safety tips on Explosive storage and 

Safety tips on Explosive handling and usage

The initial stage in carrying out a risk assessment is to identify the hazards associated with the explosives and their handling, storage and use in the workplace, and transport both internally and between sites. Information to help identify the hazards is available in the relevant regulations, from the manufacturer/supplier of the product and from a number of other sources. All relevant sources of information should be examined to help with the risk assessment process.

The following should be considered when identifying the hazards:

1.Where are the explosives transported and stored?

2. How are they used and transported?

3. What are the potential sources of ignition and detonation?

Where pyrotechnic articles such as fireworks are stored, e.g in shops, the primary hazard that needs to be considered is fire or accidental ignition. Do it yourself superstores would also need to consider the additional hazard presented by other flammable materials, such as white spirit.

Organisations storing high explosives would need to consider a wider range of issues, such as ignition by:

✓naked flames

✓electricity (including static electricity and electromagnetic energy)

✓sparks from mechanical or frictional contact between metal surfaces

✓heat and temperature

✓pressure

✓impact and friction

✓chemical incompatibility between certain substances such as contact with bare rusted metal

✓contamination by grit

✓reduction of stability over the life of the explosive.

The following should be considered when identifying the hazards.

✓Where are the explosives used and stored?

✓How are they used and stored?

✓What is the potential for hazardous or explosive atmospheres occurring?

✓What are the potential sources of ignition and detonation (including the likelihood of electrostatic charges, etc)?

Evaluating the risks from explosives

Once the hazards related to explosives have been identified, it is possible to consider and evaluate the risk of an explosion or fire incident occurring.

The person responsible for evaluating the risk factors should consider:

✓the possibility and likelihood of fire or explosion

✓the quantities of explosive materials (and other dangerous substances) stored on the premises

✓the structures and property that could be affected

✓the number of people on site

✓the potential severity of the damage to people and property

✓any existing safety or control measures

✓the competency of people in the workplace and involved with transport

✓any accident and emergency procedures in place

✓information available to employees and other people on site.

When evaluating the risks associated with explosives, the assessment must consider all possible effects including, but not limited to, the effects of blast and overpressure on persons, property and the environment, the projection of debris or fall area of a collapsing structure, and the potential for ignition of other flammable substances.

Serious risks should be dealt with immediately. All other risks should then be dealt with in priority order, depending on the seriousness of the risk and the likelihood of an event occurring.

The results of the risk assessment should determine the control measures necessary to prevent or adequately control any risk from fire or explosion.

Control Measures

The principal issue to be addressed in the safe storage and transport of explosives is that of preventing the accidental initiation of explosives. Primarily, this involves keeping sources of ignition away from the explosives. It also involves controlling the presence of explosives, especially in areas of activity, e•g places where work is carried out or where people or other traffic move around regularly.

The control measures (precautions) that need to be employed will be identified during the risk assessment process. These may include some or all of the following:

✓excluding naked flames

✓excluding sources of electrical energy which could produce sparks or otherwise initiate the explosives

✓preventing electrostatic charge build up and discharge

✓preventing accidental initiation from frictional or impact energy; packaging design should reduce static and shock when transporting or storing explosives

lightning protection

✓preventing accidental contact between exposed metal surfaces

✓preventing accidental contact between explosives and exposed hot surfaces

✓preventing contact between explosives and chemically incompatible substances

✓preventing contamination of explosives and ingredients

✓ensuring a suitable distance between explosive stores and site traffic or active areas of the site

✓minimising the time that explosives are in an unstable intermediate state before final processing

✓avoiding the uncontrolled build-up of waste explosives by regular disposal

✓preventing the build-up of explosive dusts, such as on the floors of magazines, through the provision of good housekeeping

✓restricting access to competent operators.

The extent of the management arrangements will depend on the complexity of the operation. A small firm that is simply storing explosives will not need as elaborate arrangements as a large manufacturer will.

Employers must also take appropriate measures to limit the extent of a fire or explosion. This involves:

✓managing stocks of explosives to limit the amount of explosives in areas in which people are likely to be present

✓limiting the number of people in areas where explosives are present

✓keeping explosives away from flammable or combustible materials which could fuel a fire, and away from toxic substances which could be released in the event of a fire.

It may also be necessary to take other steps to contain and safely release the blast effects. At its simplest, this means taking steps to ensure that in the event of a fire, anyone in the immediate area of the explosives can quickly and safely escape. This may include:

✓the establishment of emergency procedures

✓fire precautions

✓fire detection and warning systems

✓means of escape and evacuation

✓fire-fighting equipment

✓measures to protect against explosion

Protecting people

There are several techniques that may be used to protect people in the event of a fire or explosion. The measures to be used should be determined by the risk assessment process and may include some, or all, of the following:

✓the appropriate use of safety screens and barriers

✓remote working

✓personal protective equipment (PPE).

✓Remote working will be the preferred choice in cases where the potential for serious injury or death is significant, including:the manufacture of primary explosives, incorporation of pyrotechnic compositions, mixing and handling of propellants and blasting explosives, medium and large-calibre ammunition shell filling, making detonators.

Safe Disposal of Explosives and Decontaminating damage or deteriorated Explosive.

There are diver approach in selecting the most suitable method of disposal. This should be determined through the risk assessment process. The assessment needs to consider the nature of the explosive and its hazards, the disposal method and hazards created during the disposal process, and the type and position of the disposal site. Anyone disposing of explosives must, so far as is reasonably practicable, ensure that they are disposed of safely. Similarly, those who decontaminate explosive-contaminated items must also ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that they are decontaminated safely. The four ways to dispose of, or to destroy, explosives are:

✓burning

✓detonation

✓dissolution or dilution

✓chemical destruction.

Due to environmental concerns, dumping at sea or landfill are no longer considered to be suitable methods of disposal.

Restrictions on the Employment of Young Persons

No one under the age of 18 years should be permitted to work in the manufacture or storage of explosives, except under appropriate supervision. This extends the duties of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Control of Unauthorised Access

ER 2014 places prohibitions on entering an explosives building or area without permission from the licensee or the licensee's representative. The legislation also requires anyone who has entered without permission to leave when requested to do so and permits the occupier to remove the person. It is recommended that the police are called if the person refuses to leave. The occupier should remove unauthorised people themselves only in situations where they consider that there is an imminent threat to the safety of the explosives.

Only reasonable means may be used and these will depend on the severity and imminence of the threat to the explosives. The operator should, normally, make suitable arrangements to mark the boundaries of the site. The decision on whether to erect boundary markers and warning signs will take into account the circumstances of the explosives stored, especially their location. Where further guidance is required, this may be sought from the Police Explosives Liaison Officer.

 IN CONCLUSION,

Storage, usage and Transportation of Explosive from the manufacturer to the magazine or from magazine to the mine site should be done with this safety Tips in place:

1. Never transport high Explosive and other Blasting accessories together

2. Ensure Explosive transportating van is in good condition

3. Ensure the driver is enlighten on what Explosive is capable of doing

4. Check van driver to ensure he is not carrying matches or any flammable material

5. Van wiring parts must be highly insulated

6. Smoking during Explosive transportation is highly prohibited, it can led to the death of thousand

7. Explosive squared and anti bomb security show excort the transportation van

8. Speed limit must be considered for the van as started in Explosive regulation 2014 and others

9. During transportation, Explosive must be store in proper conducive and stable condition

10. Earth electrostatic neutralizer chain must be attached to the van during transportation

11.Ensure all Explosives are properly and formally check in when delivery is made to the magazine.

12. Follow the FIFO (First in, First out) structure when checking out the Explosive in the magazine

13. Proper arrangements should be made for security protection in the magazine

14. Sign indicating danger should be boldly place at the magazine entrance and in strategic positions within the magazine.

15. Precaution tips and symbols should be position in strategic point within the magazine

16. Damage or expired Explosive should be properly dispose by certified Engineers.

17. Misfire Explosive recovered should in no way be placed with other Explosive.

18. Magazine should be barricade by a fence with one entrance.

19. High Explosive must not be store in the same place with other Blasting accessories like cap, booster, safety fuse, detonators.

20. During charging of blast hole, leftover Explosives should be move away from the blast site

21. Exploder should be check properly before use for charge initiation to avoid insufficient release of energy to the charge loop.

22. Explosive charge must not be tamp with iron rods, also during stemming of already connected charge holes is total disastrous.

23. Opening of Explosive cartridge is unsafe

24. Transportation of Explosive with bike or animals I'm an unconducive condition is unsafe.

25.storing Explosive in room, containers or in the mine as the case of many ASM is unsafe

26. All retrieved Explosive from misfire blast should be returned to the magazine for necessary action

27. Boulder sockets from misfire blast should be check properly for undetonated Explosive.

28. Blasting cap and detonators must not be kept in the blastman pocket or take home.

29. If you locate Explosive in any place, report to the nearest police station or Explosive inspectorate in your area

30. Smoking During blast charge or chaining is a death sentence automatically.

31. All unused Explosive must be returned back to the magazine

32. Blast Misfire site must be barricade and abandoned for some time as specified in Explosive regulation and safety Act.

33. During blast hole charging, pulling the Detonation cord or the lead wire in case of electric Blasting is a bad etiquette that can result into misfire

34. Pulling Explosive charge by force or with knife or other metal from misfire holes or boulder socket is a direct call for accident, avoid that

35. Drilling deviated retrieve hole into MISFIRE rock mass is a deadly act and unsafe

36. Standing closer  (<30m) to Blasting site to watch how detonation occur is a direct decision to experience accident.

37. Using a very short safety fuse in a bit to minimize cost is a bad and unsafe act, never try such

38. Improper placement of primer or primer cord into the Explosive before lowering the bottom charge is an easy way to cause blast misfire.

39. High powder factor in secondary blasting is a call for high rate of flyrock, avoid such

40. Positioning Explosive industry near power station, train station and other unsafe location is unsafe

Let all who work with Explosive and other dangerous materials be careful not to subject others into trouble.

Avoid any form of unsafe act and unsafe condition.

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Most prefer reference for this article is ER2014