California Code of Regulations › Title 8 - Industrial Relations › Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations › Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety › Subchapter 7 - General Industry Safety Orders › Group 18 - Explosive Materials › Article 116 - Handling and Use of Explosive Materials in Blasting Operations › Section 5276 - General

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
(a) There shall be
						no smoking, open flames or other sources of ignition within 50 feet of any area
						where explosive materials are being handled, except devices necessary to ignite
						the fuses of set charges.
NOTE: Internal combustion engines equipped with spark
						  arresters which are functioning as designed are not considered sources of
						  ignition.
(b) Tools used for
						opening containers of explosive materials shall be constructed of non-sparking
						material, except that metal slitters may be used for opening fiberboard
						containers provided that the metal slitter does not come into contact with any
						metallic fasteners which may be in or part of the case. Only a wooden wedge and
						a fiber, rubber or wooden mallet shall be used for opening or closing wood
						containers of explosive materials.
(c) Empty boxes, paper and fiber packing
						materials which have previously contained high explosives shall not be used
						again for any other purpose. They shall be destroyed by burning at an isolated
						location out of doors, and no person shall be nearer than 100 feet after the
						burning has started.
EXCEPTION: Containers designed and maintained for
						  reuse.
(d) Explosive
						materials shall not be placed within 25 feet of an electrical circuit except
						during transportation.
(e)
						Explosive materials left over after loading operations are completed, shall be
						promptly returned to their proper magazines.
(f) When blasting in a location where flying
						rock or material may damage other property or endanger employees, all loaded
						holes shall be covered with a blasting mat that has been anchored.
(g) No person under the age of 21 years shall
						be permitted in any explosive magazine or be permitted to use, handle, or
						transport explosives.
EXCEPTION: Persons 18 years or older and under the
						  direct personal supervision of a licensed blaster.
(h) Spilled explosive materials shall be
						cleaned up promptly.
(i) Explosive
						materials shall not be subjected to excessive heat, friction or
						force.
(j) Explosive materials
						shall be used only at temperatures recommended by the manufacturer.
(k) Defective blasting equipment shall not be
						used.
(l) No fire shall be fought
						where the explosive materials are in imminent danger of contact with the fire.
						All employees shall be removed to a safe area and the fire area guarded against
						intruders.
1.
						  Amendment of subsection (d), repealer of subsection (e), and new subsections
						  (e) and (i) filed 10-17-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 75,
						  No. 42).
2. Amendment of article heading and section and new NOTE
						  filed 7-11-2003; operative 8-10-2003 (Register 2003, No.
						  28).
Note: Authority cited: Section
							 142.3, Labor
							 Code. Reference: Section
							 142.3, Labor
							 Code.