| 10.1 | In these regulations-- |
"blaster" shall mean a person who is in possession of a valid permit referred to in section 9(1)(a) of the Act;
"breaker" shall mean any implement used for breaking or loosening rock, shale, earth, ground or any material which it was found necessary to blast;
"learner blaster" shall mean a person not under the age of 18 years appointed in writing as such by the manager to be trained to become a blaster or to be an assistant to the blaster; and his appointment shall be registered with the Chief Inspector of Explosives before he commences his training;
"misfire" shall mean a drill hole or part thereof in which the blasting material, or any portion thereof, charged into the hole has failed to explode, or of which the contents are unknown;
"primer cartridge" shall mean a blasting cartridge into which the detonator of a capped fuse, electric detonator or delay action electric detonator has been inserted;
"public place" shall mean and include any street, road, square, thoroughfare, sanitary lane, park, recreation or sports grounds or any open space which is used by the public or which is open for the use of the public or any section of the public;
"socket" shall mean any portion of a hole which may remain after all the blasting materials charged into the hole have exploded and which is proved by examination not to be a misfire;
"stemming" shall mean inert material used as filling in blast holes;
"tamp" shall mean the consolidation of stemming and blasting materials in a blast hole.
| 10.2.1 | A person wishing to obtain a permit in terms of section 9(1)(a) of the Act, to use blasting materials shall-- |
| a) | produce evidence satisfactory to the inspector that he has had at least 60 shifts of experience as a learner blaster in the use of blasting materials acceptable to the inspector; and |
| b) | submit to an examination on his knowledge of the applicable regulations and of blasting practice. |
| 10.2.2 | If the inspector is satisfied that the applicant has the necessary experience and knowledge to use blasting materials correctly, that he may be safely entrusted with the use of blasting materials and that there is necessity for his using the same, he shall issue to him a blasting permit. |
| 10.2.3 | The blasting permit shall be valid only for the work and the place stipulated on the permit and for a period sufficient to complete that work. |
| 10.2.4 | It shall not be necessary for an inspector to give any reasons why he refuses to issue a blasting permit. |
| 10.3.1 | If at any time the holder of a blasting permit is, in the opinion of an inspector, guilty of negligence in the execution of his duties, or of any misconduct, or suffers from any infirmity likely to hamper him in the discharge of his duties, such inspector may immediately suspend or cancel such permit. |
| 10.3.2 | If at any time the holder of a blasting permit is, in the opinion of the manager appointed in terms of regulation 10.5.1, guilty of a breach of any of these regulations, such manager may immediately suspend and retain such permit, and shall forthwith report any such suspension to an inspector who after investigation may confirm or rescind the suspension or may cancel the permit. |
| 10.3.3 | In the event of the blaster being dissatisfied with the action of the inspector, he may within 14 days thereof appeal against the suspension or cancellation to the Chief Inspector of Explosives, whose decision, after investigation, shall be final. |
| a) | No person other than a blaster or a learner blaster working under the direct and constant supervision of the blaster shall use blasting materials or prepare them for use. |
| b) | Once the blasting materials have arrived at or near the blast site, no person may handle or be permitted to handle such blasting materials unless he is acting under the instructions and direct supervision of the blaster. |
| 10.4.2 | Every blaster shall be in possession of a copy of the regulations of this Chapter. |
| 10.4.3 | A blaster shall keep records, in the form prescribed, in writing, by an inspector, of every blast he sets off.All entries in the book (register) shall be made forthwith, in ink or with a ball-point pen; no erasures shall be made in the book, and any alteration shall be initialed by the blaster.The manager shall keep the book (register) or ensure that it is kept in safe custody by a responsible senior official, for a period of two years from the date of the last entry therein. |
| 10.5.1 | Where blasting materials are used, a manager, acceptable to the Chief Inspector of Explosives, shall be appointed to be responsible for the control, management and direction of the work. The appointment shall be made in writing, and the original letter of appointment, bearing the signature of the person making the appointment, as well as the signature of the appointee, accepting the appointment, shall be sent forthwith to the Chief Inspector of Explosives and a copy thereof shall be retained by the appointee. Whenever the appointed manager is necessarily away from his place of work owing to illness or for any other reasons whatsoever, he shall ensure that a competent person is appointed, as aforesaid, to act as his deputy. |
| 10.5.2 | In the event of failure to appoint such a manager the owner of the premises on which the blasting materials are used shall be deemed to be the manager or where the blasting operations are being carried out by a contractor, the contractor on the site shall be deemed to be the manager. |
| 10.5.3 | Every manager shall be in possession of a copy of these regulations. |
| 10.5.4 | It shall not be necessary for the Chief Inspector of Explosives to give any reasons why a manager is not acceptable to him. |
| 10.6.1 | The manager shall provide the tools and equipment required under these regulations, and shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that these are used properly and maintained in good order and repair. The manager shall by regular inspections ensure that these regulations are complied with. |
| 10.6.2 | At any site where blasting materials have been used the manager shall appoint a blaster to be in constant attendance while work involving excavating, drilling or the use of a breaker is carried on at the blast site. Any blaster who neglects the duty so placed on him shall be guilty of an offence. The appointment shall be made in writing, and the original letter of appointment, bearing the signature of the manager, as well as the signature of the blaster accepting the appointment, shall be retained by the manager. |
| 10.7.1 | At workings where more than one blaster is employed, the manager shall appoint one of the blasters to act as foreman over the other blasters. The appointment shall be made in writing, and the original letter of appointment, bearing the signature of the manager, as well as the signature of the foreman blaster accepting the appointment, shall be retained by the manager. |
| 10.7.2 | The foreman blaster shall-- |
| a) | during charging operations ensure that one blaster, with his supply of blasting materials, does not approach closer than 10 metres to another blaster and his supply of blasting materials; |
| b) | when electric detonators are used, personally comply with the provisions of regulation 10.10(c), (g) and (h); and |
| c) | personally supervise the lighting or firing of all explosive charges. |
| 10.8.1 | Every blaster shall be provided with two specially constructed strong waterproof wooden or wood-lined boxes equipped with hinged lids that can be locked. In one he shall keep his immediate requirements of blasting cartridges and detonating fuse (if any) and in the other his detonators (all types) until required for use. |
| 10.8.2 | The boxes shall be painted red and conspicuously marked with the words "Explosives - Springstowwe" in white block letters. They shall be kept securely locked at all times except when it is necessary to place explosives therein or during charging operations or when the boxes or their contents are being inspected. The keys shall be kept in the possession of the blaster. |
| 10.8.3 | Not more than 25 kilograms of blasting cartridges and one reel of detonating fuse or 500 detonators (all types), including detonating relays, and one reel igniter cord shall be kept in these boxes at any one time. |
| 10.8.4 | The boxes when containing explosives shall be kept in a safe and dry place and not less than 2 metres from each other or from a hole that is being charged and except as provided for in regulation 10.7.2 not less than 15 metres from any other work in progress. |
| 10.8.5 | The blaster shall not place or cause or permit to be placed in the said boxes any other materials or any implements or tools. |
| 10.8.6 | Blasting materials shall not be withdrawn from any magazine and taken to a blast area until all the holes for the blast have been drilled, finally checked and found to be suitable for charging operations to commence. The blaster shall make an accurate estimate of his requirements of blasting materials for the blast and ensure that the correct quantities, sizes and types are ordered in writing. The person collecting the blasting materials shall ensure that the correct quantities, sizes and types as stated on the order are obtained from the magazines. |
| 10.9.1 | When ordinary detonators with safety fuse are used, the detonators shall be securely attached to the safety fuse by means of a type of crimping pliers approved by the Chief Inspector of Explosives. |
| 10.9.2 | When electric detonators are used the manager shall-- |
| a) | provide an efficient shot-firing apparatus fitted with a removable operating handle or key or with a locking arrangement to secure it against unauthorised use; |
| b) | provide a testing apparatus approved by the Chief Inspector of Explosives for testing the continuity of circuits; |
| c) | ensure that these instruments are kept in efficient working order, are marked with serial numbers and that a record is kept of all examinations and tests carried out on them and by whom this was done; and |
| d) | ensure that the testing apparatus is sealed with a distinctive seal in such a manner that the internal parts of the instrument cannot be interfered with without the seal being destroyed, and that the apparatus is examined or repaired only by a competent person who shall personally renew the seal before returning the instrument for use. |
| 10.9.3 | Primer cartridges shall be made only as required for immediate use for each round of blasting and in their making the detonator shall not be pressed into the explosive without first having made a hole of sufficient diameter and depth in the cartridge with a pricker of non-ferrous metal. The detonator shall be securely fastened to the cartridge in such a manner that it cannot pull out from the cartridge when the primer is lowered into the hole. |
| 10.10 | When using electric detonators (all types) the blaster shall-- |
| a) | when testing for continuity of circuits, use only a type of tester which has been approved by the Chief Inspector of Explosives, and which still has the seals intact; |
| b) | test each detonator for continuity before use; this test shall be carried out not less than 15 metres from other explosives and under suitable precautions to guard against possible injury due to accidental ignition of the detonator during the test; |
| c) | whilst on duty keep on his person the operating handle or key of the shot-firing apparatus; |
| d) | use only a firing cable which is in good order and of sufficient length to provide for the firing of charges from a safe distance and also ensure that the cable cannot come into contact with any other cable or electric apparatus; the ends of the firing cable adjacent to the shot-exploder shall be shorted at all times other than when they arc connected to the shot-exploder, in accordance with regulation 10.10(g) or, when a test for continuity is being carried out, in accordance with regulation 10.10(f); |
| e) | personally connect the firing cable to the detonator wires of any charge or charges only after he has completed all firing preparations other than those referred to in paragraphs (f) and (g) of this regulation; |
| f) | except when a photo-electric type of tester is used, not apply any electrical test to the firing circuit otherwise than through the firing cable and from a place of safety; |
| g) | not connect the firing cable to the terminals of the shot-exploder until immediately before firing or attempting to fire; |
| h) | immediately after firing or attempting to fire, disconnect both leads of the firing cable from the shot-exploder or other firing apparatus and there and then remove the operating handle or key of the shot-exploder or secure the locking arrangement of the shot-firing apparatus and remove the key, as the case may be; |
| i) | ensure by using recognised equipment or by employing the services of experts in the field of the use of blasting materials that, at the place where he intends using them, such detonators cannot be detonated by any electro-magnetic waves which may be emanated to that place by any radar, radio, television, or other transmitter, or in any other manner. |
| 10.11.1 | No person shall drill or permit to be drilled any hole at any place and in any direction other than that indicated by the blaster. |
| 10.11.2 | The blaster shall be in attendance during the drilling of the holes and shall ensure that the holes are drilled at the places indicated by him with wax crayon or paint and in the direction indicated by him. |
| 10.11.3 | Immediately a hole has been drilled to the desired depth the blaster shall plug it effectively and no such plug shall again be removed, except for the purpose of inspection, until the hole is required to be charged. |
| 10.11.4 | Only the blaster under whose attendance the holes were drilled shall charge or attempt to charge such holes; except that with the written permission of an inspector the charging may be done by any other blaster. |
| 10.11.5 | No person shall drill or permit to be drilled any hole nearer than 150 millimetres to any socket or in such a direction as to approach nearer than 150 millimetres to any socket, nor shall any person deepen or permit to be deepened any hole which has been left unplugged. |
| 10.11.6 | No person shall use or permit to be used any breaker nearer than 150 millimetres to any socket. |
| 10.12.1 | Only blasting materials that are in good outward condition shall be used in charging a hole. |
| 10.12.2 | All drill holes shall be sufficiently large to admit freely the insertion of the blasting cartridges. |
| 10.12.3 | The wrapper of a blasting cartridge shall not be interfered with in any way except for the opening of one end when making a primer cartridge or for attaching detonating fuse as required by regulation, nor shall a blasting cartridge be broken, cut or otherwise tampered with. |
| 10.12.4 | All holes charged with blasting materials shall be stemmed. Only clay, sifted earth, fine sand or water shall be used as stemming. |
| 10.12.5 | Stemming shall not be allowed to come between blasting cartridges charged into a blast hole, except only when detonating fuse is used for initiating the charge. |
| 10.12.6 | Tamping shall be done only with properly constructed wooden rods or other approved rods. The rods shall be an easy fit in the holes to be charged, shall be kept clean and free from grit and the ends shall be kept cut off square. No undue force shall be used during temping operations and cartridges shall not be subjected to blows. |
| 10.12.7 | No person shall extract or attempt to extract blasting material from a hole which has once been charged. |
| 10.13.1 | A blaster shall prepare only such charges as he intends exploding at the next blast and he shall not start preparing the charges until all persons not necessarily needed to assist him in this work have been removed to a safe place. The charges shall be fired as soon as possible after charging operations have been completed. |
| 10.13.2 | While charging blast holes, the blaster shall not have more than two persons to help him. |
| 10.14.1 | Before firing a charge the blaster shall-- |
| a) | take every precaution to prevent possible injury to persons or damage to property; |
| b) | give audible warning at least three minutes before the blast is fired; |
| c) | place a notice board with the following wording: |
| d) | "Danger - Blast Area - Keep Out - Gevaar - Skietgebied - Bly Weg" in block letters not less than 100 millimetres in height on a contrasting background and station a competent person carrying a red flag at each avenue of approach at a point beyond the probable range of flying material projected by the blast, to stop persons from approaching; and |
| e) | personally examine the danger zone to make certain that all persons have retired therefrom to a place well beyond the probable range of flying debris from the blast, or to a safe shelter. |
| 10.14.2 | The blaster shall not fire a charge while any person is within the probable danger zone from the blast. |
| 10.14.3 | Every person within the danger zone shall retire to a place beyond the probable range of flying debris from the blast or to a safe shelter immediately upon hearing the warning referred to in regulation 10.14.1(b). |
| 10.14.4 | Any person who, after having been warned to stop in accordance with regulation 10.14.1(c), approaches closer to the blasting site shall be guilty of an offence. |
| 10.15.1 | A blaster, after charges have been fired, shall-- |
| a) | not enter or allow any person to enter the place in which such firing has occurred, until the fumes caused by the explosion shall have been sufficiently dissipated, and if safety fuse was used, not until after the expiry of at least 30 minutes; |
| b) | personally make an examination of the working place for misfires, exposed blasting materials and dangerous ground and until he has done so and has taken all reasonable steps to make the place safe, shall not allow or permit any persons except those necessary to assist him in making safe, to enter or approach such place; |
| c) | carefully examine the place for misfires while the debris is being cleared and shall personally instruct the persons engaged in clearing the broken rock to report to him immediately the finding of any explosives or electrical wires or fuses that may lead to a misfire; he shall carefully trace such wire or fuse to determine whether a misfire had occurred; |
| d) | clean and examine the site where blasting had taken place with a view to discovering holes and shall examine every exposed hole to determine whether it is a misfire or a socket; and |
| e) | place a watchman or watchmen to prevent any persons who are not under his direct control or supervision from entering the site until tile debris has been cleared and the foregoing provisions of teas regulation have been complied with. |
| 10.15.2 | At any site where blasting materials have been used the blaster shall-- |
| a) | after examining and cleaning exposed holes, plug the sockets with wooden plugs painted red; such plugs shall not again be removed, except temporarily for the purpose of inspection, until the drill holes in the immediate vicinity have been charged, or until all work in connection with the excavation has been completed; |
| b) | mark the holes to be drilled clearly with wax crayon or paint, indicating the position of the holes and the direction in which they shall be drilled; |
| c) | before personally marking holes, remove or cause to be removed all loose rock or ground to a distance of at least 2 metres in all directions from the place where a hole is to be drilled with a view to discovering misfires and sockets; and |
| d) | before allowing a breaker to be used, remove or cause to be removed all loose rock or ground to a distance of at least 2 metres in all directions from the place where the breaker is to be used with a view to discovering misfires and sockets. |
| 10.16 | On locating a misfire the blaster shall immediately withdraw all persons from the site, except those necessary to assist him. He shall then-- |
| a) | withdraw the stemming carefully with a wooden spoon or copper scraper, preferably with the use of water, to expose the charge, and then place a fresh primer cartridge on top of the charge which he shall fire subject to the normal safety precautions being taken; or |
| b) | cause a hole to be drilled under his personal supervision, parallel to, at least 150 millimetres deeper than, and not nearer than 1 metre to the misfire, which he shall charge and fire and then recover the explosives liberated from the misfire. |
| 10.17.1 | When blasting is to be done within 500 metres of any building, railway, public thoroughfare, powerline, telephone line, pipeline, sports field or any place where people congregate, the manager shall-- |
| a) | prepare a site plan (or sketch) with the relevant distances to all structures and services within 500 metres of the blasting site shown thereon.(For blasting in built-up areas it will be sufficient to show the blasting site and immediate surroundings with distances indicated.); |
| b) | obtain written confirmation from-- |
| i) | the South African Railways Administration concerning occupation times of the railway track and other safety precautions to be observed before blasting near railway lines and shutdown times and other safety precautions to be observed before blasting near petroleum pipelines; |
| ii) | the Department of Posts and Telegraphs concerning the re-laying of telephone and telegraph lines or the attendance of a technician prior to blasting; |
| iii) | Escom concerning the protection of powerlines; |
| iv) | water boards and local authorities, concerning the protection of water mains, gas mains, sewers and sewerage mains and electric cables; |
| v) | the Division of Sea Fisheries, authorising blasting in the sea; |
| vi) | the Provincial Administration, authorising blasting in dams, rivers, lakes or any other inland waters; and |
| vii) | any other authorities who may have jurisdiction in the area; |
| c) | ensure, by using recognised formulae or by employing the services of experts in the field, that no damage will be caused by blasting vibrations. (Prior to blasting, it may be advisable to check structures in the immediate vicinity, in the presence of the owners, for cracks and other damage and to record such observations.); |
| d) | keep the plans, sketches and records required in terms of this regulation and regulation 10.17.2(c), or ensure that they are kept in safe custody by a responsible senior official, for a period of two years. |
| 10.17.2 | When blasting is to be done within 500 metres of any building, railway, public thoroughfare, powerline, telephone line, pipeline, sports field or any place where people congregate the blaster shall-- |
| a) | satisfy himself of the existence and accuracy of the letters, documents and plans required in terms of regulation 10.17.1; |
| b) | prevent damage by flying debris; |
| c) | keep a record of every blast in a logbook, reflecting the following: |
| ii) | address of place of work; |
| iii) | purpose for which blasting materials were used; |
| iv) | name of blaster and permit number; |
| v) | name of manager (regulation 10.5.1); |
| vi) | date and time of blast; |
| vii) | depth and diameter of holes; |
| viii) | number of holes charged and fired; |
| ix) | burden and spacing of holes; |
| x) | number of blasting cartridges per hole; |
| xi) | size and grade of blasting cartridges (alternatively, when ammonium nitrate blasting agents are used, a record of the mass per hole and charge length must be kept); |
| xii) | length of detonating fuse used; |
| xiii) | number and delay interval of detonating relays used; |
| xiv) | number and type of detonators used; and |
| xv) | a sketch showing the pattern of placing and firing of the holes, when multiple rows of holes are charged and fired. |
| 10.17.3 | When blasting in any built-up area, the blaster shall use only instantaneous electric detonator in conjunction with detonating relays or short period (millisecond) delay action electric detonators, in both cases with detonating fuse, which shall extend down the full depth (length) of each hole, for initiating the charge, and the holes shall be effectively covered by means of suitable material such as steel mats, rubber mats, sand bags or timber baulks so as to prevent any debris being projected into the air. |
| 10.17.4 | When blasting in any built-up area, where persons are likely to congregate to watch the work, the manager shall, unless specially exempted in writing by an inspector, ensure that the site is completely boarded in to a height of at least two metres on all sides abutting on the streets. |
| 10.18.1 | When deep holes or a large number of holes have to be charged the required blasting cartridges and detonating fuse shall not be kept all together in the blast area, but shall be distributed in piles of unopened cases or cartons of not more than 250 kilograms each. |
| 10.18.2 | The piles shall not be less than 20 metres from each other or from a drill hole being charged and not less than 50 metres from any other work in progress or from any road or office. |
| 10.18.3 | The piles shall be under continuous guard, and in each case the blasting materials shall be placed on a wooden platform and be covered with a tarpaulin. |
| 10.18.4 | Not more than 25 kilograms of blasting cartridges and one reel of detonating fuse shall at any one time be at a drill hole being charged. |
| 10.18.5 | The detonator or detonators needed for setting off the blast shall not be brought into the blast area until all holes have been charged and the necessary connections made. |
| 10.19.1 | In all drill holes of greater depth than three metres, the charges shall be initiated only by means of detonating fuse. The end of the detonating fuse shall be threaded through the first cartridge to be charged into the hole, or be firmly attached to it by means of tape, string or thin copper wire and the cartridge let down until it rests on the bottom of the hole. |
| 10.19.2 | Before any further cartridges are charged, the detonating fuse shall be cut off the reel at a point not less than 150 millimetres beyond the collar of the hole and the reel removed to a safe place not less than two metres from the hole. The cut end of the fuse shall be firmly anchored to prevent it from slipping down the hole. |
| 10.20 | When blasting pole holes, and in other similar work where the holes have no free face to which the blasting materials can break except the surface, detonating fuse shall be used for setting off the charges, except when only a primer is used per hole. |
| 10.21 | In every quarry the manager and the blaster shall-- |
| a) | keep the surface soil and loose overburden cleared hack from the working face for a distance of at least 3 metres; |
| b) | not allow any portion of the face to be undercut; |
| c) | not allow any person to work at any place with an inclination of more than 45 degrees where inadvertent slipping or overbalancing may result in his sliding down a vertical distance exceeding 2 metres unless he is secured by a life line; |
| d) | not allow any person to work on a face that is higher than 5 metres or on the floor of such quarry unless he wears a hard hat of a type approved by an inspector; |
| e) | not allow any person to drill into or hammer on any boulder or loose rock broken by previous blasting, until the boulder or rock has been examined on all sides and found to be free of explosives; |
| f) | not allow any person to work on the floor of the quarry front of a face that is being charged; |
| g) | ensure that all loose rock is crowbarred from the face and not allow any other person not engaged on this operation to work in front of the face until this has been done; and |
| h) | in weathered, loose or friable rock or ground, not allow a face to exceed 3 metres in vertical height, but shall carry the face in terraces of 3 metres or at an angle of not greater than 60° from the horizontal. |
| 10.22 | When blasting materials are used in the making of excavations the manager and the blaster shall-- |
| a) | cause every excavation which is accessible to the public or which is adjacent to public roads or thoroughfares or whereby the safety of persons may be endangered to be-- |
| b) | adequately protected by a barrier or fence at least 1 metre high and as close to the excavation as practicable; |
| c) | provided with red warning lights at night; |
| d) | except for the purpose of erecting shoring or bracing, not require or permit any person to, and no person shall, work in an excavation under unsupported overhanging material or in an excavation which is more than one and a half metres deep and which has not been adequately shored and braced: Provided that shoring and bracing shall not be necessary where the sides of the excavation are sloped to at least the angle of repose of the earth or where such excavation is in solid rock; |
| e) | cause all shoring and bracing to be supported by cross-braces of adequate strength, cleated and wedged into position or secured by other suitable means. Where the width of the excavation is such that cross-bracing is not possible, supporting braces shall bear against footings so arranged as to prevent the braces from kicking out; |
| f) | ensure that the shoring and bracing is of sufficient strength to support all excavated or other material, equipment or other loads; |
| g) | ensure that all excavated or other material and equipment is prevented from falling into the excavation; |
| h) | cause convenient and safe means of access to be provided to every excavation in which persons are required to work and which is more than one and a half metres deep: Provided that where an excavation is longer than 45 metres a safe means of access shall be provided at intervals of not more than 45 metres; |
| i) | ascertain as far as practicable the location and nature of underground services likely to be affected by the excavation and take such steps as may be necessary to prevent danger to persons; |
| j) | where the stability of a structure is likely to be affected by an excavation, take adequate steps to ensure the stability of the structure and such steps as are necessary to ensure the safety of persons; |
| k) | cause every excavation which is more than one and a half metres deep, including all bracing and shoring, to be inspected by a person who is competent to do so, at least once in every shift and before the commencement of work after rain, to ensure the safety of persons; |
| l) | provide free of charge and maintain in good condition adequate protective clothing, appliances and material including, where necessary, safety belts, safety helmets, goggles, gloves or footwear, for any person who is exposed to the danger of falling, or to danger from falling or flying objects, or who is exposed to wet or dusty work which may be injurious to health, or for any person where required by an inspector. |
| a) | No person shall bury, submerge, hide or abandon any explosive; |
| b) | no person shall leave explosives unattended so that it will be possible for other persons to have access thereto. |
| 10.23.2 | No person in charge of explosives shall relinquish such charge until some other person lawfully accepts charge thereof or such explosives are placed in a magazine as provided for in these regulations and such magazine has been securely locked. |
| 10.23.3 | No person shall take away or attempt to take away from any workings any explosives without the written permission of the manager, who shall advise the Chief Inspector of Explosives immediately of the issue of any such permit. |
| 10.23.4 | Except as provided for in these regulations no person shall meddle or interfere in any way with explosives or any box containing explosives. |
| 10.23.5 | No person shall convey, or cause or permit to be conveyed, any explosives unless the explosives are contained in the original unopened containers as packed by the manufacturers or in receptacles of a design and construction approved for the purpose by an inspector. |
| 10.23.6 | All blasting materials found among the debris after a blast may not be charged into a blast hole but shall be collected immediately and be placed in two specially constructed strong, waterproof, wooden or wood-line boxes equipped with hinged lids that can be locked. In one box recovered blasting cartridges and detonating fuse shall be kept and in the other recovered blasting accessories such as detonators (all types). |
The boxes shall be painted red and conspicuously marked with the words "Old Explosives - Ou Springstowwe" and words indicating the type of explosives to be placed and kept in them, in white block letters. A hole shall be provided in the lid to allow for the easy insertion of the blasting materials.
The boxes shall be kept securely locked except when it is necessary to remove the blasting materials therefrom or when the boxes or their contents are being inspected. The keys shall be kept in the possession of the blaster.
The boxes shall be cleared at least once at the end of each day and the contents destroyed.
| 10.23.7 | Empty boxes, cartons or packets which have previously contained blasting cartridges, such as dynamite, gelignite or similar explosives shall not be used for any purpose, but shall be destroyed daily by burning in the open air. |
| 10.24 | On the approach of or during a thunderstorm, the blaster shall suspend all blasting operations and no person shall remain or be caused or permitted to remain within an area where he may be injured by the accidental detonation of blasting materials. |
| 10.25 | Except with the permission, in writing, of an inspector and under conditions prescribed by him, blasting materials shall not be used during the hours of darkness from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise. |
| 10.26.1 | No person shall keep, carry, handle or use any blasting material within 15 metres of a fire or naked light nor shall any person smoke in or about any place where explosives are being kept, carried, handled or used; except that on confined sites in built-up areas near streets, this distance may be reduced to 5 metres, but notices with red letters not less than 75 millimetres high on a white background, warning persons against smoking or making a naked light, shall be prominently displayed on the site. |
| 10.26.2 | Every person in a quarry or boarded-in excavation or at any other place where explosives are being used or prepared for use, shall refrain from any act whatsoever which tends to cause fire or explosion and any such person who fails to comply with an instruction from the manager, foreman or blaster in the interests of safety, shall be guilty of an offence. |
| 10.27 | No person under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotics shall handle or attempt to handle blasting materials and the manager and the blaster shall take all reasonable steps to prevent a person under such influence from handling, approaching or remaining within the vicinity of blasting materials. |
| 10.28 | Explosives suspected of being frozen shall not be used or handled. |
| 10.29.1 | A blaster shall take all reasonable measures to safeguard all persons who may be at or in the vicinity of his working place against accident in any way, whether such persons are under his direct supervision or not. |
| 10.29.2 | No person shall do work or allow work to be done which involves excavating, drilling or the use of a breaker at any place where explosives had previously been used, unless the blaster is in attendance. |
| 10.30 | Any person who obstructs or hinders any manager, foreman or blaster in the discharge of his duties, or who fails to comply with the lawful orders given in terms of these regulations shall be guilty of an offence. |
| 10.31 | An inspector or the local authority may prohibit or restrict the use of blasting materials in places where, owing to the close proximity of buildings or other works, blasting may appear to endanger life or property: Provided that any person who is dissatisfied with the ruling of the inspector or the local authority may appeal to the Chief Inspector of Explosives whose decision shall be final. |
| 10.32 | In addition to other regulations, in so far as they are applicable, the regulations published in terms of section 12 of the Mines and Works Act, 1956 (Act 27 of 1956), shall apply to any sinking shaft or tunnel. |
| 10.33 | The Chief Inspector of Explosives may, in his discretion, give written exemption from any of the foregoing regulations, and may prescribe, in writing, such additional conditions as he may deem necessary. |
Use or Exploding of Fireworks
| 10.34 | It shall be unlawful for any person to use or explode any firework-- |
| a) | within 500 metres of any explosives magazine, explosives factory, petroleum depot, or gasometer; |
| b) | in any building or on any public thoroughfare; or |
| c) | on any public place or resort, except with the prior written permission of the local authority. |
| 10.35.1 | No person shall operate a public display of fireworks on any premises without the written permission of the Chief Inspector of Explosives. |
| 10.35.2 | Such permission shall stipulate the conditions to be complied with and non-compliance with any of these conditions shall constitute an offence under this regulation. |
| 10.36 | Application for permission to operate a public display of fireworks shall be made in writing and shall set forth-- |
| a) | the name of the person or organisation sponsoring the display together with the names of the persons actually in charge of the firing of the display who shall be at least 18 years of age and competent for the work; |
| b) | the date and time of day at which the display is to be held; |
| c) | the exact location planned for the display; |
| d) | a description setting forth the age and qualifications of the persons who are to do the actual discharging of the fireworks; |
| e) | the numbers and kinds of fireworks to be discharged and the value of the display; |
| f) | the manner and place of storage of such fireworks prior to the display; and |
| g) | a diagram of the grounds on which the display is to be held showing-- |
| i) | the point at which the fireworks are to be discharged, which shall be at least 100 metres from the nearest building, road or railway, and at least 20 metres from the nearest telephone, telegraph or powerline, tree or other overhead obstruction; |
| ii) | the direction in which aerial fireworks, if any, are to be fired; |
| iii) | the area to be kept clear of persons which shall extend at least 50 metres from the front and to the sides of the point at which the fireworks are to be discharged; |
| iv) | the area to be kept clear on which falling residue from aerial fireworks is expected to drop, which shall extend for at least 100 metres to the rear of the firing point; and |
| v) | the location of all buildings and roads within 200 metres of the firing site and of all trees, telegraph or telephone lines or other overhead obstructions at or adjacent to the firing site. |
| 10.37 | At a public display of fireworks it shall be an offence-- |
| a) | for any person wilfully to enter on or remain in that area reserved for receiving falling residue from aerial fireworks; and |
| b) | for any unauthorised person wilfully to proceed beyond the area demarcated by the organisers of the display for spectators. |
Use of other Explosives
| 10.38 | Any explosives for the use of which provision is not made in the preceding regulations of this Chapter, shall be used only in such manner and under such conditions as may be prescribed, in writing, by an inspector. |
Penalty
| 10.39 | Any person who by any act or omission commits a breach of any of the regulations of this Chapter, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding R600 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months or to both such fine and such imprisonment, and the explosive, if any, in respect of which the contravention or non-compliance has taken place, may be confiscated. |
