6. Explosives and Blasting Safety

Question 1

What is an explosive?

Answer 1

Any chemical compound or mixture that undergoes rapid burning or decomposition with the generation of large amounts of gas and heat with the consequent production of sudden and intense pressure.

Question 2

What are the two main categories of explosives?

Answer 2

A low explosive deflagrates (burns without producing significant pressure) and will not produce explosive force unless it is contained.

A high explosive will detonate and produce an explosive force even if not contained.

Low explosives propel at subsonic speeds, high explosives propel at supersonic speeds.

Question 3

What is the main regulator of explosives in Canada?

Answer 3

The Explosives Safety and Security Branch (ESSB)
of
Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN), a federal body.

Question 4

What is the ERD and what do they do?

Answer 4

The ERD is the Explosives Regulatory Division of ESSB (Explosives Safety and Security Branch of Natural Resources Canada).

The ERD enforces the explosives act.

Services include:

• Explosives licenses, certificates, and permits
• Importation
• Product authorization and classification
• Education (fireworks & pyrotechnics)
• Consulting

Question 5

Who enforces the explosives act?

Answer 5

The Explosives Regulatory Division of the Explosives Safety and Security Branch of Natural Resources Canada.

ERD
ESSB
NRCAN

Question 6

What is a magazine according to the explosives act?

Answer 6

Any building, storehouse, structure, or place in which any explosive is kept or stored

Question 7

List four activities prohibited by the explosives act.

Answer 7

unauthorized manufacture of explosives

manufacture unmarked plastic explosives

transport or possess unmarked plastic explosives

import unauthorized plastic explosives

Question 8

What authority do NRCAN officers have to inspect accidents?

Answer 8

NRCAN have authority to inspect any accident or incident involving explosives.

Wherea provincial authority also has jurisdiction, NRCAN officers may assist our allow the provincial agency to investigate.

Question 9

What is in Schedule II of the Explosives Regulations?

Answer 9

An application form for employers that want to establish an explosives factory or use an explosives magazine.

Question 10

What is in Schedule III of the Explosives Regulations?

Answer 10

Technical details for the construction of vehicles used to transport explosives.

Question 11

Who regulated the use of industrial explosives in BC?

Answer 11

The Ministry of Energy and Mines

WorkSafeBC

The Office of the Fire Commissioner

Question 12

Who regulated the use of industrial explosives in BC?

Answer 12

The Ministry of Energy and Mines

WorkSafeBC

The Office of the Fire Commissioner

Question 13

Which part of the OHS Regulation in BC addresses blasting operations?

Answer 13

Part 21 of the Regulation: Blasting Operations

Question 14

What is a blaster? Context, blasting operations.

Answer 14

A person who holds a valid blaster’s certificate issued by the board or acceptable to the board.

Question 15

What is a blasting log?

Answer 15

A written record of loading details and the site examination after the blast.

Question 16

What is a day box? Context, blasting operations.

Answer 16

An unlicensed facility, not used for overnight storage, constructed to Type 6 magazine specifications pursuant to the Explosives Act.

Question 17

What is a detonator (or detonator product)?

Answer 17

Any explosive or similar device used to detonate commercial explosives. Commonly called blasting caps or electric caps.

Question 18

Discuss dangerous incidents related to blasting and explosives.

Answer 18

The federal Explosives Act indicates that NRCAN officers will investigate all incidents. Where provincial regulators are also investigating, NRCAN officeres may assist or may not actively duplicate investigation.

The BC OHS Regulation requires that incidents are reported as soon as possible and an investigation conducted.

Question 19

What does the BC OHS Regulation state about accidents in blasting?

Answer 19

Accidents must be reported ASAP and an investigation report completed, with specific content, also sent to the board.

Question 20

What is the purpose of a blasting log?

Answer 20

Required record keeping.

Documented evidence of explosives used, location, etc.

Provides blaster with a record of success/failure to help with future blasting plans.

Question 21

Who can conduct or direct a blasting operation?

Answer 21

Only a qualified and certified blaster.

Apprentices must be under the direct supervision of a qualified blaster.