Blast 

Area 

Security

DVD Video Module

Discussion Topics for blasters and general audiences

Marcia L. Harris

412.386.5780

MHarris@cdc.gov

Richard J. Mainiero

412.386.6625

RMainiero@cdc.gov

Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Objective of this training module is to improve 

blast safety by providing information about blast area 

security to those working around blast sites.

Target audience for this safety module 

includes employees, blast crew members, trainees, 

subcontractors, vendors, and visitors to the worksite.

As you present this blasting safety module, you can 

supply details and examples to address the issues 

at each specific site. Encourage trainees to offer 

their own thoughts and examples, based on their 

experience at this or other blast sites where they have 

worked or visited. 

Questions that address particular blasting safety 

issues for both general audiences, blast crews, and 

blasters are included on the other card. Use these, 

or others you may have, to expand on the teaching 

points made in the video.
Questions for general discussion:

What are the borders of the blast area at this site? How 

are they determined?

Do you know when blasting will occur at this site? 

What time of day is blasting typically done at this site?

During the blast, where should you be located?

Have you ever been in an unsafe location when a blast 

occurred at this or another worksite?

What is used for a warning signal? 

Is it a car horn, an air horn, or is some other type of 

device used?

Do you know what it sounds like?

Can the warning signal be heard clearly around the 

site?

Are there regulations defining blast warning signals 

in this jurisdiction? Check for any state, county 

and/or municipal requirements, and use the strictist 

guidance.

What noise patterns are the blast signals used here?

What is the early warning signal? How many 

minutes before the blast is the signal sounded?

What is the final warning signal? Is it 1 minute 

before the blast?

What is the all-clear signal? 

What should you do if you are in the blast area when 

the warning signal is given?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

a.

b.

c.

d.

6.

a.

b.

c.

7.
About our preblast meetings:

Are preblast meetings held here? If not, why not? 

Does this state require preblast meetings?

Do we cover all points about the blast adequately?

Do you understand the role you play when a blast is 

planned and executed?

Who is ultimately responsible for holding these 

meetings?

When do we start clearing the blast area?

Ex.: “We clear the pit in front of the face when we 

start to load the front row.” or “We clear the blast area 

when we start tying the holes together.”

Think about the last three blasts at this site. Was any 

debris found near the borders of the blast areas?

Should those blast areas have been larger?

Were there any near–misses during these blasts? 

If so, what caused them and how could they have been 

prevented? 

Do we use a blast shelter? Is it adequate? Could the 

initiation occur outside the blast area where one is not 

required?

Are more guards needed?

Could the shot have been made safer?

When we blast at this site, do we communicate well 

with workers and coordinate the blasts with traffic?

How can we improve communications at this site 

before blasting?

What can we do to make blasting safer for everyone in 

and around this worksite?

1.

a.

b.

c.

d.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

Questions to review with the blaster, blast crew, and 

other site employees to evaluate a blast and its blast area 

security: