1926.907: Safety Fuse
Safety fuse may be used only where extraneous electricity makes electric caps dangerous, and damaged fuse is forbidden. Cut a fresh end before capping, use an approved crimper, and never carry detonators or primers on your person. Fuse must be as long as State law requires but never under 30 inches. Two people must be present for hand-lit multiple shots, a blaster may hand-light no more than 12 fuses, and the drop fuse method is forbidden.
Key takeaways
- 1926.907 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart U).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.907, "Use of safety fuse", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart U). It has 13 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 1926.907 (13 paragraphs)
(a) Safety fuse shall only be used where sources of extraneous electricity make the use of electric blasting caps dangerous. The use of a fuse that has been hammered or injured in any way shall be forbidden.
(b) The hanging of a fuse on nails or other projections which will cause a sharp bend to be formed in the fuse is prohibited.
(c) Before capping safety fuse, a short length shall be cut from the end of the supply reel so as to assure a fresh cut end in each blasting cap.
(d) Only a cap crimper of approved design shall be used for attaching blasting caps to safety fuse. Crimpers shall be kept in good repair and accessible for use.
(e) No unused cap or short capped fuse shall be placed in any hole to be blasted; such unused detonators shall be removed from the working place and destroyed.
(f) No fuse shall be capped, or primers made up, in any magazine or near any possible source of ignition.
(g) No one shall be permitted to carry detonators or primers of any kind on his person.
(h) The minimum length of safety fuse to be used in blasting shall be as required by State law, but shall not be less than 30 inches.
(i) At least two men shall be present when multiple cap and fuse blasting is done by hand lighting methods.
(j) Not more than 12 fuses shall be lighted by each blaster when hand lighting devices are used. However, when two or more safety fuses in a group are lighted as one by means of igniter cord, or other similar fuse-lighting devices, they may be considered as one fuse.
(k) The so-called “drop fuse” method of dropping or pushing a primer or any explosive with a lighted fuse attached is forbidden.
(l) Cap and fuse shall not be used for firing mudcap charges unless charges are separated sufficiently to prevent one charge from dislodging other shots in the blast.
(m) When blasting with safety fuses, consideration shall be given to the length and burning rate of the fuse. Sufficient time, with a margin of safety, shall always be provided for the blaster to reach a place of safety.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.907.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum length of safety fuse?
As required by State law, but not less than 30 inches.
How many fuses may one blaster light by hand?
Not more than 12 fuses with hand lighting devices, though fuses lit as one with igniter cord may count as one.
Can workers carry detonators in their pockets?
No. No one may carry detonators or primers of any kind on their person.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.907 (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.