1. Small Mines Roadshow
October – December 2020
Explosives Awareness

2. Contents
1. Explosives Legislation, Standards and Codes
2. Explosives general
3. Transport and storage
4. Firing of Shots
5. Post Blast Inspection
6. Misfires
7. Explosives Control Plan and responsibilities under Legislation
8. Responsibilities of the PCBU, contractors and shot firers
9. Licencing BEUL
10. When things go wrong
11. Graphic pictures of incidents
12. Questions

3. Legislation, Codes and Standards
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017.
• Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act 2013.
• Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2014.
• Explosives Act 2003.
• Explosive Regulation 2013.
• SafeWork NSW (Formerly WorkCover Authority of NSW) – Explosive Licence Requirements.
• Australian Explosive Industry and Safety Group (AEISG) Codes of Practice.
• Australian Code for the Transport of Explosives by Road and Rail – Third edition (2009)
• Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADGC 7.3).
• AS2187.0 (1998) Explosives - Terminology
• AS2187.1 (1998) Explosive Storage, Transport and Use
• AS2187.2 (2006) Explosive Storage and Use; Use of Explosives.
• AS4326 (2008) The Storage and Handling of Oxidizing Agents.
• Explosive Suppliers Safety Data Sheets

4. What is an Explosives
Explosives Act 2003 NSW
• explosive means any article or substance prescribed by
the regulations as an explosive for the purposes of this
Act.
• explosive precursor means any article or substance
prescribed by the regulations as an explosive precursor
for the purposes of this Act.

5. High Explosives products typically used in Quarries
Boosters
Detonating Cord
Packaged Explosive
• Cast boosters and packaged contain
high explosives in a cardboard canister
or plastic sleeve as shown.
• Boosters and packaged produce large
amounts of explosive energy to set off
bulk product
• Detonating cord explodes around 7000
metres second
• It is basically a continuous detonator and
completely disintegrates on detonation
comes in all different sizes
• Detonating cord contains a high
explosives called (PETN) wrapped in
fibre or plastic.

6. Surface
Connectors
Electronic
detonators
Nonel Detonators
• Detonators are used to initiate the booster and
explosive charge and determine the sequence of
detonation of each hole
• Each detonator contains approximately 850mg of high
explosive
• A detonator is the most sensitive explosive used on a
mine site and therefore is the most dangerous
• Various types of detonators are used in blasting
• They come in various colours, including orange,
red, yellow, blue and white
• The tubing attached to each detonator
contains explosive powder mixed with aluminium (not
to be confused with det cord). Tubing can be initiated
by impact.
• Surface connectors
surface timing, low
impact
Explosives products typically used in Quarries
• Electronic and electric
detonators have wires
attached to them

7. Basic Explosives Safety
• No Smoking or naked flames within 10m of explosives or explosives
vehicles as per Australian Standards or site procedures
• Only authorized trained and licenced personnel are to handle, transport
and use explosives
• Never approach a fire that involves explosives or explosives equipment
• Stay clear of parked explosives vehicles
• Never pick up or handle explosives without appropriate authorisation
• Do not run over explosives and explosives boxes
• Never drive or walk onto a blast pattern unless under the direction of a
shotfirer
• Be aware of all explosives vehicles on site at all times.

8. Explosive: Examples:
Plain (open) detonator Lead azide
Closed detonators Non-electric. det.
Detonating cord
Cast Booster
Non Electric tubing Lead-in line
ANFO
Det. sensitive emulsion Packaged
Emulsions
Bulk pumped emulsion Watergels
SENSITIVITYSensitivity of Explosives

9. Storage of Explosives – Explosives Magazines
What good looks like What bad looks like

10. Transport Explosives
Key points:
Transporting explosives – on road
• Licence to transport
• Vehicle compliance - explosive boxes, signage etc -AEC
• Emergency procedure in place
• Overnight security (late delivery)?
Private road – consider requirements of AEC or equivalent
• Site systems
• Suitable containers
• Local emergency plan

11. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC
Detonator in a can

12. Power of one 400 gram booster in a car

13. • Ammonium Nitrate Prill is white in colour
• Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO) class 1
Explosives has a smell of diesel and can be different
in colours this is due to the dye that is used to
ensure consistency of blend – Dry hole explosive.
• Heavy ANFO is a sticky with a greasy/oily feel.
• Emulsion blends ammonium nitrate solution
combined with diesel and emulsifiers – for wet hole
explosives.
• At no stage should you touch any of these products
without permission from the Shotfirer and be
authorized.
Bulk Explosives
Ammonium Nitrate prill
Emulsion

14. Bulk Explosives
• There are different types of bulk explosives used in Quarry Blasting
• The main ingredient is Ammonium Nitrate
• They are transported around in Mobile Processing Units (MPU’s)

15. Bulk Explosives Mobile Processing Unit MPU
Bulk Emulsion and AN
Prill is stored in separate
bins
Fuel Oil
Special
sensitising
chemicals
Emulsion rich products are delivered
through the discharge auger into a pump.
This pump delivers the product through a
hose to the bottom of the blast hole

16. Blast Delineation
• The blast area is to be delineated by warning signs and a suitable and clearly
visible barrier, this will depend on site procedures.
Barricades are visible both day and night and may be in form of physical barrier, safety bund,
flagging tape, red flashing lights or series of witches hats.

17. Explosives Loading
• Blast planning
• Personnel and equipment
• Competent
• Authorised / Appointed
• Licensed
• Bulk Product ranges
• ANFO
• Heavy ANFO
• Emulsion
• Product quality tests

18. Blast Boards
Blast boards contain information about the date and time that the
next blast will take place on that site. Blast boards should be
located at the Quarry entrance.

19. Exclusion Zones
• All blasts must have exclusion zones in order to minimise the potential
damage that may be caused by the effects of the blast. The primary
hazards from a blast are:
• Fly rock – due to poor face burden, overloaded holes, drill holes off design
and multiple free faces etc
• Exposure to dust and fumes
• Prior to any blast a risk assessment should be conducted as per the (site
Explosives control plan) regarding the possible outcomes of the blast.
From the risk assessment exclusion zones may be implemented at varying
distances from the blast depending on the expected outcomes

20. Ejection of Material from the Exclusion Zone (Fly rock)
In accordance with Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2014
Schedule 2, clause 4 (1)
“An Explosives Control Plan must set out the control measures for risks to health and safety
associated with explosives at the mine or petroleum site taking into account:
(g) The potential for the ejection of fly rock or other material as a result of the detonation of an
explosive.
As required under this regulation and pursuant to clause 179(f) a Dangerous Incident:
(f) Ejection of rock from blasting that falls outside the blast exclusion zone (being the area from
which persons are excluded during the blasting),”

21. Post Blast Inspection
• Once the shot is fired it must first be inspected by the Shotfirer.
• Be Patient This may take extra time to allow for the clearing of
toxic fumes (NOx etc)
• DO NOT proceed into the area until the shotfirer announces the
“ALL CLEAR” and Blast Controller releases the guards

22. Exclusion Zones
• For example, these zones may be identified as the following:-
• Equipment exclusion zone – in which all equipment likely to be damaged
from the blast will be withdrawn to a safe area.
• Personnel exclusion zone – in which personnel likely to be harmed by
the effects of the blast be withdrawn to a safe area
• Fume management zone – in which personnel will be removed to a safe
area based on the likelihood and potential from the blast fume to extend
past the nominal personnel exclusion zone .
• Note:- Blast guards will be placed outside these zones. This depends
on the outcomes of the blast risk assessment prior to blasting

23. Blast Exclusion Zones

24. Face and bore hole Checks – Physical or Laser
Profile Examples to reduce flyrock.
Note:- Shot risk assessment and processes for shotfirer or blast controller to increase exclusion
zone in consultation with design engineers if face and bore holes are off design.

25. Misfires
• In accordance with Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation
2014 Schedule 2, clause 4 (2) “An Explosives Control Plan must also set out the
following:
• (b) The procedures for finding, recovering and disposal of explosives that misfire,”
• As required under this regulation and pursuant to clause 128 – High Potential
Incident:
• “(j) A misfire or unplanned explosion of an explosive or explosive precursor (but not in
the case of a misfire at a mine or petroleum site other than a coal mine if the misfire
explosives can be fired without and significant risk to a person).

26. Handling a misfire
• In the event of finding explosives material during the mining process it is
important to immediately stop all mining activity in the immediate vicinity of
the product location. You must assume that all material found is live and
has the potential to detonate
• Prevent others from approaching the misfire until a shotfirer arrives
• DO NOT TOUCH Remove or withdraw all personnel and equipment to a
safe distance (determined by site procedures and or risk assessment)
• The Quarry Manager and or shotfirer will ensure the area is made safe,
possibly relocate the mining equipment away from the threat area and
contact the site explosives personnel to investigate and treat the product in
accordance with the relevant site work practices.
• Notify the Regulator of the misfire
Note:- When Re-firing Misfires , Larger exclusion zones may be necessary
this will depend on the sites procedure under the Explosives control plan.

27. Explosives Control Plan
• With regard to the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites)
Regulation 2014 (NSW).
• “The mine operator of a mine in which there is a risk to health and safety
associated with explosives or explosive precursors at the mine must
prepare an Explosives Control Plan for the mine that sets out the means
by which the mine operator will manage those risks in accordance with
clause 9”.
• Pursuant to clause 26, “the Principal Control Plan must be documented
and so far as reasonably practicable, be set out and expressed in a way
that is readily understandable by persons that use it.”

28. Explosives Control Plan
• Must set out the control measures for risks to health and safety associated with
explosives taking into account:
• the potential for unintended or uncontrolled detonation of explosives
• the characteristics of relevant explosives and the purposes for which they are to be
used
• the characteristics of the places in which the explosives are to be used
• the full set of phases for the use of relevant explosives such as the charging and firing
phases
• the potential for explosives to deteriorate
• the potential for the theft or misuse of explosives
• the potential for the ejection of flyrock or other material as a result of the detonation of
an explosive

29. Explosives Control Plan
• An explosives control plan must also set out the following:
• the procedures for inspecting, reporting, isolating and disposing of deteriorated or
damaged explosives
• the procedures for finding, recovering and disposal of explosives that misfire
• the inspection, testing, reporting and maintenance procedures in relation to the
equipment used at the mine for manufacturing, storing, transporting and delivering
explosives
• the procedures and equipment used in storing and transporting explosives at the
mine
• the procedures used for the accounting of explosives at the mine
• the arrangements for the keeping of a register identifying persons who are identifying
persons who are licenced under the Explosives Act 2003 to transport, use, store or
handle explosives at the mine

30. Explosives Control Plan (cont’d)
• An explosives control plan must also set out the following:
• the procedures for ensuring that any person transporting, using, storing or handling
explosives at the mine has any licence necessary under the Explosives Act 2003
• the procedures in relation to consultation and co-operation to ensure that any
transportation, use, storage or handling of explosives at the mine is conducted safely
and in accordance with any conditions attached to the licence under which that
transportation, use, storage or handling takes place

31. Responsibilities of Mine Operators
• Must ensure that explosives and explosive precursors handled at the mine
are handled only by persons who are authorised under a licence under the
Explosives Act 2003
• Must ensure the keeping of a register identifying those persons currently
at, or providing a service to, the mine who are authorised under a licence
under the Explosives Act 2003 to handle explosives or explosive
precursors at the mine.
• The operator of a mine must ensure that, with respect to the handling of
explosives and explosive precursors at a mine, arrangements are
coordinated between the operator and any person authorised under a
licence under the Explosives Act 2003 to handle explosives, so as to
ensure the safety and security of such explosives.

32. LICENSES – Explosives Regulation 2013
• There are 11 types of licenses under these Regs.
The ones that we are interested in are:
• License to Supply
• License to Transport
• License to Store
• Blasting Explosives User’s License
• License to Manufacture
• Security Clearance

33. BEUL – Blasting Explosive User’s Licence
example only
Additional information on the back

34. Blasting Activities allowed under BEUL
A blasting explosives user’s licence authorises the licensee to carry out
the following activities:
• use explosives at the type of mines specified in the licence, the explosives or explosive
precursors specified in the licence
• manufacture explosives for immediate use (if that activity is specified in the licence)
• possess explosives or explosive precursors for the purpose of using or disposing them under
the licence
• transport explosives or explosive precursors for the purpose of using them under the licence
• store the explosives or explosive precursors at the premises — if premises are specified in the
licence

35. When Things Go Wrong…
• These four incidents are simple examples of what can happen when
explosives handling goes wrong!
• Snap – Slap & Shoot

36. Power of a Detonator

37. Power of a booster

38. MPU Truck explosion

39. This C BY-SA
Explosives Awareness
2020 Small Mines Roadshow