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Mining Publication: CO Migration from Trench Blasting in Amherst, New York
Keywords: Blasting Carbon monoxide Monitoring New York Trenches
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Original creation date: February 2004
Authors: ML Harris, RJ Mainiero
Conference Paper - February 2004
Download PDF Document (1.46 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20024280
Proceedings of the 30th Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique (New Orleans, LA, Feb. 1-4, 2004). Vol. 2. Cleveland, OH: International Society of Explosives Engineers; :25-39
The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) recently began highway widening and drainage improvement projects in Clarence and Amherst, New York. Drainage improvements including the installation of storm sewer lines required excavation to a depth of 2.5 m (8.2 ft). In September 2002, NYSDOT stopped further blasting when 800 ppm carbon monoxide (CO) was detected in the basement of a house near the blasting site. At the insistence of NYSDOT, the general contractor developed a new blast plan with the assistance of an environmental consultant. The plan provided for the installation of multigas monitors in buildings of special concern and/or with basements and residential-type CO monitors in all other buildings within 100 m (330 ft) of the blast. The multigas monitors would be remotely monitored. The plan provided action levels that would ensure public safety. The blast design was also modified to allow for better venting of CO. Blasts were limited to 20-ft lengths. The overburden was to be removed from the rock and blasting mats put in place to prevent flyrock. About 20 ft of trench adjacent to the blast was left open to allow ground movement and gas release. The use of CO monitors was effective to alert occupants of a building to the presence of CO. The most effective seemed to be the residential-type CO alarms with digital readouts. They were simple and easy to use and allowed the public to participate in the process. False alarms were repeatedly received with the more sophisticated instrumentation. Residential-type CO monitors are preferable to warn people near blast sites. More sophisticated instrumentation should be avoided unless personnel are experienced in its use. A general overview of the blasting and monitoring is presented and discussed. The use and effectiveness of residential-type CO monitors and multigas monitors are discussed.
Image of publication CO Migration from Trench Blasting in Amherst, New YorkConference Paper - February 2004
Download PDF Document (1.46 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20024280
Proceedings of the 30th Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique (New Orleans, LA, Feb. 1-4, 2004). Vol. 2. Cleveland, OH: International Society of Explosives Engineers; :25-39
See Also
Blasting-Related Carbon Monoxide Incident in Bristow, Virginia
Dangers of Toxic Fumes from Blasting
Field Studies of CO Migration from Blasting
Fugitive Carbon-Based Gases: Blasting Related or Not
A Gas Pressure-Based Drift Round Blast Design Methodology
Hybrid Fiber-Optic Electrochemical Carbon Monoxide Monitor
Monitoring and Removal of CO in Blasting Operations
Personal Air Safety System (PASS)
Toolbox Training on Flyrock Awareness
Toxic Fume Comparison of a Few Explosives Used in Trench Blasting
Page last reviewed: September 21, 2012
Page last updated: September 21, 2012
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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