The area around a blast that must be evacuated of personnel and equipment during the firing of a blast.

The clearance zone is identified on the firing plan which will also show blast guard positions and other information relevant to the firing.

A person who may be appointed to handle the logistics of the clearance of the Blast Exclusion Zone including (but not limited to) the following:-

• Removal / relocation and preparation of equipment currently within the Blast Exclusion Zone;
• Confirming the position and location of the Blast guards;
• Completing the clearance sweeps of the Blast Exclusion.

Zone once the guards are in place and the area secured.

A blast guard is a person responsible for ensuring the blast clearance zone is evacuated prior to the firing of a blast.

The attached document provides detailed information on the practice of blast guarding.

A mat made of rope, rubber strips, polyethylene tube or similar material, placed over the area or materials being blasted to prevent the scattering of blast-generated debris.

A blast plan, should include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Location of the proposed blasting.
• Description of the proposed blasting.
• Permits / licences required for the project.
• Identification and position of the person responsible for the project including project safety and security.
• Identification and position of person who has given approval to use explosives on the project.
• Key appointments and responsibilities.
• Shotfirer’s details.
• Details of the risk management assessment.
• Details of adjacent structures or services that influence the blast design.
• Details of reports, drawings and records consulted.
• Layout plan of the blast including drilling pattern and hole depths.
• Detonation sequence / effective charge mass per delay (MIC) / powder factor.
• Type of explosive to be used and quantity required.
• Method of initiation.
• Type of firing equipment and procedures.
• Drilling procedures.
• Explosive loading and charging procedures.
• Explosive storage and handling procedures.
• Security procedures for the site and the blast, including explosives.
• Environmental considerations for airblast overpressure, ground vibration.
• Details of communication systems.
• Warning procedures.
• Traffic management plan.
• Proposed dates and times of blasting.
• Details of the exclusion zone.
• Method of notification to owners and occupiers of structures, and providers of services adjacent to the blast.
• Influence of weather.
• Loading in poor light conditions or reduced visibility.
• Cessation of explosive-related activities during electrical storms.
• Misfire management system.
• Post blast assessment and inspection procedures.
• Provision for post-blast comments.
• Signature spaces for the plan author, shotfirer and person who approves the plan.

Blast records are to be kept by the shotfirer of all blasts loaded and fired.

The various state regulations require a record of all blasts and the type and quantity of explosives used.

The blast clearance zone must also be defined and documented for surface blasts.

Australian Standard AS2187.2 Use of Explosives Appendix A provides the following guidance:

A3 BLAST RECORDS
Details of the blast should be taken and maintained, including but not limited to the following:
(a) Environmental conditions at the time of the blast.
(b) Monitoring equipment including type, serial number and location.
(c) Details of measurements recorded during the blast.
(d) Details of flyrock or fly.
(e) Details of incidents and complaints.
(f) Comment on the results of the blast.
(g) Proposed modification to the blast plan for future shots.

The blast report is the record of blast firing.

Details of the blast should be taken and maintained, including but not limited to the following:

• Drill pattern, product loaded (type and quantity) initiation sequence.
• Environmental conditions at the time of the blast.
• Monitoring equipment including type, serial number and location.
• Details of measurements recorded during the blast.
• Details of flyrock or fly.
• Details of incidents and complaints.
• Comment on the results of the blast.
• Proposed modification to the blast plan for future shots.

An area including all holes to be loaded plus such as required for safe loading operations.

Certain high explosives, such as those consisting primarily of ammonium nitrate, in which none
of the ingredients are classified as an explosive and which normally require a booster for initiation.

A Blasting Ohm Meter is a test device for checking circuits containing electric detonators.

A blasting ohm meter has an output limited to below the no fire current of standard electric detonators.