1926.905: Loading Explosives
Safe loading procedures must be set before loading. Tamp only with wood rods or plastic poles without exposed metal, and never tamp the primer. Load only holes for the next round and return leftovers to a magazine at once. Check old hole butts for unexploded charges before drilling, never deepen holes that held explosives, never leave explosives unattended, and keep equipment 50 feet from loaded holes; the blaster deenergizes and locks out nearby cables.
Key takeaways
- 1926.905 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart U).
- Most-cited part: 1926.905(h).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.905, "Loading of explosives or blasting agents", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart U). It has 21 numbered paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
Show the full text of 1926.905 (21 paragraphs)
(a) Procedures that permit safe and efficient loading shall be established before loading is started.
(b) All drill holes shall be sufficiently large to admit freely the insertion of the cartridges of explosives.
(c) Tamping shall be done only with wood rods or plastic tamping poles without exposed metal parts, but nonsparking metal connectors may be used for jointed poles. Violent tamping shall be avoided. The primer shall never be tamped.
(d) No holes shall be loaded except those to be fired in the next round of blasting. After loading, all remaining explosives and detonators shall be immediately returned to an authorized magazine.
(e) Drilling shall not be started until all remaining butts of old holes are examined for unexploded charges, and if any are found, they shall be refired before work proceeds.
(f) No person shall be allowed to deepen drill holes which have contained explosives or blasting agents.
(g) No explosives or blasting agents shall be left unattended at the blast site.
(h) Machines and all tools not used for loading explosives into bore holes shall be removed from the immediate location of holes before explosives are delivered. Equipment shall not be operated within 50 feet of loaded holes. Open (h)
(i) No activity of any nature other than that which is required for loading holes with explosives shall be permitted in a blast area. Open (i)
(j) Powerlines and portable electric cables for equipment being used shall be kept a safe distance from explosives or blasting agents being loaded into drill holes. Cables in the proximity of the blast area shall be deenergized and locked out by the blaster. Open (j)
(k) Holes shall be checked prior to loading to determine depth and conditions. Where a hole has been loaded with explosives but the explosives have failed to detonate, there shall be no drilling within 50 feet of the hole. Open (k)
(l) When loading a long line of holes with more than one loading crew, the crews shall be separated by practical distance consistent with efficient operation and supervision of crews.
(m) No explosive shall be loaded or used underground in the presence of combustible gases or combustible dusts.
(n) No explosives other than those in Fume Class 1, as set forth by the Institute of Makers of Explosives, shall be used; however, explosives complying with the requirements of Fume Class 2 and Fume Class 3 may be used if adequate ventilation has been provided.
(o) All blast holes in open work shall be stemmed to the collar or to a point which will confine the charge.
(p) Warning signs, indicating a blast area, shall be maintained at all approaches to the blast area. The warning sign lettering shall not be less than 4 inches in height on a contrasting background.
(q) A bore hole shall never be sprung when it is adjacent to or near a hole that is loaded. Flashlight batteries shall not be used for springing holes.
(r) Drill holes which have been sprung or chambered, and which are not water-filled, shall be allowed to cool before explosives are loaded.
(s) No loaded holes shall be left unattended or unprotected.
(t) The blaster shall keep an accurate, up-to-date record of explosives, blasting agents, and blasting supplies used in a blast and shall keep an accurate running inventory of all explosives and blasting agents stored on the operation.
(u) When loading blasting agents pneumatically over electric blasting caps, semiconductive delivery hose shall be used and the equipment shall be bonded and grounded.
[44 FR 8577, Feb. 9, 1979; 44 FR 20940, Apr. 6, 1979, as amended at 58 FR 35184, June 30, 1993]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.905, plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Restrictions on drilling within 50 feet of a hole loaded with explosives. (2010-03-05)
- Use of construction equipment around explosive loaded bore holes. (1999-06-22)
- Clarification on OSHA standards for blasting and use of explosives. (1985-04-12)
- Clarification concerning allowable drilling distance between loaded holes for a blasting operation. (1984-10-30)
- Redrilling Seismic Shotholes For The Purpose of Plugging the Hole to Protect Groundwater. (1984-10-22)
- Clarification of the intent of 29 CFR 1926.905(h) and (k). (1982-04-01)
- Blasting and Use of Explosives Relative. (1981-08-26)
- Seismic explorations as it pertains to detonation. (1981-02-03)
Most-cited parts of this rule
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Frequently asked questions
What can be used to tamp explosives?
Only wood rods or plastic tamping poles without exposed metal parts, though nonsparking metal connectors may join poles; the primer must never be tamped.
How close can equipment operate to loaded holes?
Equipment shall not be operated within 50 feet of loaded holes.
What must be done before drilling near old holes?
Examine all remaining butts of old holes for unexploded charges and refire any found before work proceeds.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.905 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.