RDX also known as cyclonite or hexogen has a chemical name cyclotrimethylene trinitramine, a military explosive used as the coreload as high temperature detonating cords and substituted for PETN in some boosters.

RDX has a velocity of detonation of over 8500 meters per second.

RDX is less sensitive to temperature effects than PETN and slightly less impact sensitive.

RDX stands for Research Department eXplosive or Royal Demolition eXplosives (no-one really knows..)

When mixed with an inert binder RDX is the basis of a number of other military based explosives:

• RDX + Wax = Composition A
• RDX + TNT = Composition B
• RDX + Plasticiser = Composition C

In relation to the reaction of substances, to react in a manner that directly creates a hazard due to the reaction:
(a) being violent; or
(b) producing an explosion; or
(c) producing a potentially explosive combination of products; or
(d) producing potentially dangerous quantities of toxic vapour or gas.

Reactive ground is rock that undergoes a spontaneous exothermic reaction after it comes into contact with nitrates. The reaction of concern involves the chemical oxidation of sulphides (usually of iron or copper) by nitrates and the liberation of potentially large amounts of heat. The process is unpredictable and can be so violent that it results in mass explosions.

A term used to describe the re-entry of water back into a blast hole after it has been dewatered.

A 'red hat' or 'red cap' is a common name for a plastic plug used to block off a drill hole.

Short holes are often identified when measuring a pattern of drill holes for depth (dipping).

Where the number of short holes is excessive it may be necessary to drill new holes close to the original short hole.

(The alternative is to run the drill back down the original hole but this us not common practice owing to misalignment issues)

The new holes are called 'redrills' and the original short holes are abandoned.

Redrills are often identified with a specific naming convention. Here is it _RD.

Redrills and abandoned holes should be shown on the charge plans to ensure

• redrilled holes for loading are properly identified
• short holes that are redrilled are not loaded
• abandoned holes are properly identified for backfilling
• abandoned holes out of position are not loaded.

Drill pattern showing abandoned holes (K243, K202) and redrill holes (K243_RD, K202_RD)

Are training providers delivering training courses accredited by the State or National Vocational Education and Training (VET) regulator. RTOs conduct Workplace Health and Safety courses and other industry related training.

The authority in each State or Territory of Australia charged with the administration of the acts or regulations of that State or Territory concerned with the control and regulation of explosives.

Relative effectiveness factor or R.E. factor is a measurement of an explosive's power for military demolitions purposes. It is used to compare an explosive's effectiveness relative to TNT by weight only, TNT equivalent/kg (TNTe/kg). This enables engineers to substitute one explosive for another when they are calculating blasting equations that are designed for TNT. For example, if a timber cutting charge requires 1 kg of TNT to work, it would take 0.42 kg of ONC, 0.6 kg of PETN, 1.25 kg of ANFO, or 2.22 kg of AN to have the same effect.

A hole drilled in close proximity to a hole containing a misfire, which when fired will either sympathetically initiate or dislodge the explosives in the misfired hole.

A container constructed in accordance with AS 2187.1 used to store limited amounts of explosives which can be relocated from site-to-site either as an integral unit or as modular components for reassembly. Includes converted freight containers.

A situation, usually an explosives incident, that is of sufficient severity that reporting to the regulator is compulsory.

A resistorised bridge detonator is a device with a resistor in series with the electric fusehead designed to manage the no-fire and all fire currents.

Highly directional stem / material ejection from a firing blasthole.

This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to support shot firing operations in Civil construction, Coal mining, Metalliferous mining (Surface), Drilling and Extractive.

This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles.

No licensing, legislation or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to store, handle and transport explosives in the Resources and Infrastructure Industries.

This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles.

No licensing, legislation or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to conduct surface shotfiring  operations in the Resources and Infrastructure Industries.

This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles.

No licensing, legislation or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication

This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to conduct secondary blasting in the Metalliferous and Coal mining and Extractive.

This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles.

No licensing, legislation or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

RIOBOOSTERS are high energy explosives designed to produce high velocity of detonation and high
detonation pressure, ensuring reliable initiation of bulk and cartridge explosives such as RIOFLEX, RIOMEX,

RIOCORD is a flexible detonating cord with a core made of an explosive material (PETN). RIOCORD detonates at an approximate speed of 7,500 m/s.

RIOFLEX MX 10000 is a mechanically sensitised high energy bulk explosive suitable for most mine and quarry applications. RIOFLEX MX 10000 is a higher
energy product compared to emulsion based products due to its lower water content. RIOFLEX MX 10000 maximises energy yields, making the product
an ideal solution for optimising rock fragmentation diggability.

RIOGEL TRONER XE is a high strength, high density cap sensitive watergel. The gel structure gives the product a rubber-like tough consistency and  outstanding water resistance.

The RIONEL MS series has been designed for use as a down-the-hole detonator in standard blasting scenarios. RIONEL MS are manufactured in a series of varying delay timings and when used in combination with RIONEL SCX surface connectors, offer a multitude of initiation sequence options. RIONEL MS are highly accurate delays that reduce risk of timing overlap.

1. Shock tube with 3 layers coiled in a “figure 80” configuration which eases deployment and avoids tangles.
2. #8 strength Detonator fitted with a double crimp.
3. The fastening band is easy to break manually in order to achieve a quicker loading operation.
4. Water resistant label which includes Delay Period, Timing, Length and Lot Number.

The Rionel SCE is a non-electric Surface Connector capable of firing up to eight tubes.

All tubes must be fully inserted for reliable initiation.

The systematic application of management policies, procedures and practices to the tasks of :
a. Hazard Identification (What can go wrong and why?).
b. Risk Analysis - Comparing the anticipated risks of intervention with the risks of no intervention result (How bad and how likely is it?).
c. Risk Assessment - A systematic process for the identification, analysis and evaluation of a substance, thing or happening (hazard) that may under different circumstance lead to an accidental loss or security breach (How acceptable is it?).
d. Risk Control (What can we do about it?).

Rock fall failure refers to quantities of rock falling freely from a cliff face. A rockfall is a fragment of rock (a block) detached by sliding, toppling, or falling, that falls along a vertical or sub-vertical cliff, proceeds down slope by bouncing and flying along ballistic trajectories or by rolling on talus or debris slopes. Alternatively, a "rockfall is the natural downward motion of a detached block or series of blocks with a small volume involving free falling, bouncing, rolling, and sliding".

Noise / air blast caused by the displacement of a large amount of air as the face rock mass swells and is thrown out.

Noise / air blast caused by the venting of high pressure blast gases through the face.

Toppling failure occurs where columns or blocks of rock topple or rotate about a fixed base.

Rotational failure occur along a surface of ruprure that is curved and concave.

Rotational filure may be on a single plane

or multiple planes

A line of blast holes parallel to a face.