Transporting and Storing Explosives on Construction Sites

The driver and the vehicle

The driver

Vehicles transporting explosives shall be driven by, and in the charge of, a licensed driver who is physically fit. The driver shall be familiar with the local, State and Federal regulation governing the transportation of explosives.

The vehicle

• Strong enough to carry the load without difficulty, and in good mechanical condition
• An open-body vehicle needs a Class II magazine or the original manufacturer's container, securely mounted on the bed
• Tight floors, with any exposed spark-producing metal inside the body covered with wood or other nonsparking material
• A fully charged fire extinguisher in good condition. An Underwriters Laboratory-approved extinguisher of not less than 10-ABC rating meets the minimum. The driver shall be trained in its use.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.902(b) · 29 CFR 1926.902(e) · 29 CFR 1926.902(f) · 29 CFR 1926.902(g) · 29 CFR 1926.902(i)

Marking, cargo and what not to do

Marking

The vehicle shall be marked or placarded on both sides, the front and the rear with the word Explosives in red letters not less than 4 inches in height, on a white background.

Cargo

• Explosives, blasting agents and blasting supplies shall not be transported with other materials or cargoes.
• Blasting caps (including electric) shall not be transported in the same vehicle with other explosives.

Around the vehicle

• No smoking, and no matches or any other flame-producing device, while in or near the vehicle. No firearms or loaded cartridges either.
• The vehicle shall not be taken inside a garage or shop for repairs or servicing.
• The vehicle shall not be left unattended.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.902(c) · 29 CFR 1926.902(d) · 29 CFR 1926.902(h) · 29 CFR 1926.902(j) · 29 CFR 1926.902(k)

Getting explosives to the place of use

• Explosives and blasting agents in transit underground shall be taken to the place of use or storage without delay.
• The quantity taken to an underground loading area shall not exceed the amount estimated to be necessary for the blast.
• Explosives in transit shall not be left unattended.
• The hoist operator shall be notified before explosives or blasting agents go in a shaft conveyance.
• Explosives, blasting agents and blasting supplies shall not be transported with other materials.
• Carried by hand: anything not in its original container goes in a suitable container, and detonators, primers and other explosives are carried in separate containers.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.903(a) · 29 CFR 1926.903(b) · 29 CFR 1926.903(c) · 29 CFR 1926.903(d) · 29 CFR 1926.903(p) · 29 CFR 1926.903(q) · 29 CFR 1926.903(r)

Conveyances, riders and separation

• Trucks: the electrical system shall be checked weekly to detect failures that may be an electrical hazard. Auxiliary lights on truck beds powered by the truck's electrical system are prohibited.
• Powder car: explosives and blasting agents shall be hoisted, lowered or conveyed in a powder car. No other materials, supplies or equipment shall be in the same conveyance at the same time.
• Riders: no one except the operator, his helper and the powderman may ride on a conveyance transporting explosives and blasting agents. No person shall ride in a shaft conveyance transporting them.
• Locomotives and trips: no explosives on any locomotive, and at least two car lengths between the locomotive and the powder car. None on a man haul trip.
• Pulled, not pushed whenever possible.
• Detonators and explosives in one car: separate the compartments by 24 inches or by a solid partition at least 6 inches thick. In a shaft conveyance, they shall not be transported at the same time.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.903(e) · 29 CFR 1926.903(f) · 29 CFR 1926.903(g) · 29 CFR 1926.903(h) · 29 CFR 1926.903(i) · 29 CFR 1926.903(j) · 29 CFR 1926.903(k) · 29 CFR 1926.903(l) · 29 CFR 1926.903(n) · 29 CFR 1926.903(o)

Magazines and distances

• Store explosives and related materials in approved facilities required under the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms regulations in 27 CFR part 55.
• Blasting caps, electric blasting caps, detonating primers and primed cartridges shall not be stored in the same magazine with other explosives or blasting agents.
• No smoking or open flames within 50 feet of an explosives or detonator storage magazine.
• No permanent underground storage until the operation has at least two modes of exit.
• Permanent underground storage magazines shall be at least 300 feet from any shaft, adit or active underground working area.
• Permanent underground magazines containing detonators shall not be closer than 50 feet to any magazine containing other explosives or blasting agents.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.904(a) · 29 CFR 1926.904(b) · 29 CFR 1926.904(c) · 29 CFR 1926.904(d) · 29 CFR 1926.904(e) · 29 CFR 1926.904(f)