1

Blast Area Security 

“ I don’t want anyone hurt or killed as a result of what I 

do for a living “ 

“ Communication is important. Everyone on-site needs 

to know what’s going on and when things are going to 

happen “ 

“ When it comes to clearing the blast area, you can 

never be too safe “ 

At surface mine operations and construction sites, 

large amounts of earth need to be moved. Sometimes 

explosives are used. 

Even though the blasting process is conducted in a 

safe manner, blasting accidents still occur. Many of 

the surface blasting injuries and fatalities are caused 

by the lack of good security around the entire blast 

location. 

 - - on-camera Blasters’ comments 

 

 

 - - dirt being moved at surface operation 

 - - surface blast 

- - title : “ Blast Area Security “ 

- - drilling / filling holes at strip mine 

 

 
 

2

Once the location has been selected for excavation, the 

blaster designates the blast area. All material displaced 

by the explosion should fall well within the designated 

area. Its boundaries should be large enough to 

accommodate the material and all access roads must be 

guarded during a blast to ensure safety. 

Clear communication must be established between the 

site manager or mine foreman and the blaster. Details of 

the blast layout, security, and all other safety issues need 

to be discussed in detail. The time of detonation for the 

blast needs to coincide with the workers’ schedules and 

area traffic. 

A pre-blast meeting should be held to discuss the blast 

plan and the duties of everyone involved. The blasting 

signals are discussed to ensure everyone understands 

exactly when the detonation will occur and when the area 

is clear for traffic to resume. The blaster is responsible 

for testing the alarms by making sure they operate 

properly and can be heard throughout the entire blast 

area. 

- - Blaster and Mine Foreman discussing 

 details 

- - Blaster and others ( outside ) looking 

 over mine site discussing blast area 

- - Blaster tests alarm 

 
 

3

“ After the blast site is loaded, I clear all personnel and 

equipment out of the area and post guards at all access 

points to keep people from coming back in.” 

Once the blast area is clear, the crew and blaster go to 

the designated safe area. The blaster checks with the 

guards to ensure the area is secure, and then the 

warning alarm is sounded. After all of the pre-blast 

signals have been given, and the blaster is confident the 

area is secure, the shot is detonated. 

“ Before anyone can re-enter the work zone, I walk the 

shot to check for misfires or any other dangerous 

situations, before I blow the all-clear to let the workers 

know that they can come back to the work zone.” 

The blaster needs to analyze the results of every blast: 

 Was any debris found near the border of the blast 

area? 

 - - on-camera comment from Blaster #1 

 

 

- - Blaster checks-in with guards on two 

 way radio 

 - - Blaster looks around / detonates shot 

 - - shot is detonated 

 - - on-camera comment from Blaster #2 

 - - Blaster walks through area 

 
 

4

 Should the blast area be enlarged? 

 Were there any near misses? If so, what caused 

them and how could they have been prevented? 

 Are more guards needed? 

Overall, the main concern is: Could the shot have been 

made safer? 

Good communication is needed on every job, but it is an 

essential tool at sites where explosives are used. 

Everyone needs to know exactly what their role is. 

Alarms and signals that are used need to be discussed 

and understood by everyone. 

By following the rules and regulations, having good 

communication at the work site, and having a plan to 

ensure blast area security, a safe work environment is 

created for everyone. 

 - - misc. shots of blast area 

 - - misc. shots of Blaster communicating 

 - - road guard holding stop sign 

- - drilling / filling holes at strip mine