CONTROL OF BLASTING ACTIVITIES IN

TERMS OF THE EXPLOSIVES ACT

Inter-governmental Explosives Blasting Training

4 October 2017, Polokwane

Contents

Section 1 – Explosives Act & Explosives Regulations requirements

Section 2 – Blaster registration requirements

Section 3 – Blaster types

Section 4 – Responsibilities of blasters

Section 5 – Blasting permits

Section 6 – Blast site inspections

Section 7 – Challenges

Section 8 – Opportunities to improve blaster competence to

enhance explosives safety and security

Section

Explosives Act & Explosives Regulations

requirements

Ideal Explosives Control Cycle – From cradle … to grave

What is a “blaster”?

Reg 10.1 of the Explosives Regulations made under section 30

of the Explosives Act, 1956 (Act No 26 of 1956)

“blaster” shall mean a person

who is in possession of a valid

permit referred to in section

9(1)(a) of the Act;

Section 9(1)(a) of the Explosives Act

(a) in possession of a

permit issued by or under

the authority of an

inspector; or

(b) under the immediate

and constant supervision

of a person who is in

possession of such a

permit.

9(1) No person shall use any blasting material,

unless -

Photo credit: Domino Blasting

Section 9(4) of the Explosives Act

7

(4) No permit shall be issued under this

section unless the issuing authority is satisfied

that the applicant may be entrusted with

safety with the use of blasting materials and

that it is necessary for him to use such

materials.

Examples of blasting material

“blasting material” means any explosive

used for the purpose of blasting

What is a “learner blaster”?

• person not under the age of 18 years;

• appointed in writing as such by the manager

to be trained to become a blaster;

• or to be an assistant to the blaster;

• appointment shall be registered with the CIE;

• before he commences his training.

Reg 10.1 of the Explosives Regulations made under section 30

of the Explosives Act, 1956 (Act No 26 of 1956)

Section

Blaster registration requirements

Blaster registration with the CIE

Standard

Documents

• Application & CV

• Certified copy of ID

• Criminal record clearance certificate

Learner Blaster

• Appointment letter by manager/supervisor blaster

• Assessment on legal knowledge, blasting practice and destruction of explosives

Blaster

• Proof of at least 60 shifts of practical blasting experience signed off by competent blaster

• Assessment on legal knowledge, blasting practice and destruction of explosives

Section

Blaster types

Blaster types:

Rock Breaking Cartridges

• Authorised to use

propellant based

cartridges to break rock

• May not use high

explosives/any other

blasting material

• Must be trained by

RBC supplier

• Examples: Secondary blasting

Blaster types: Civil Construction

• Authorised to use

explosives for civil

construction blasting

• Examples: Trenching

Excavations

Road cutting

Removal of boulders

Demolition of free

standing structures

≤ 4 m high

Photo credit: Domino Blasting

Blaster types: Demolition

Authorised to use

explosives for implosion/

demolition of buildings and

structures higher than 4 m

Blaster types: Underwater

• Must be a competent

and current commercial

diver (OHSA Diving

Regulations)

• Must be competent in

the use of particular

type of explosives for

underwater use

Blaster types: Explosive Welding

(Cladding) & Forming

• Must be competent in

the use of particular

type of explosives for

welding & forming of

metal

Blaster types: Red-Billed Quelea

Control

• Authorised by the Dept

of Agriculture, Forestry

& Fisheries to control

Red-Billed Queleas with

explosives

Photo credit: GIWM Civils & Blasting (Pty) Ltd

Blaster types: Destruction

• Authorised to destroy

explosives by burning or

detonation

Section

Responsibilities of blasters

Blaster responsibilities

21

• Obtain blasting & transport permits

• Comply with all relevant legislation

• Ensure site safety and security before, during &

after blasting

• Supervise all work related to explosives,

including drilling of blast holes

• Prepare blast plans & keep blasting records

• Provide PPE to workers exposed to

dangers/hazards

• Cooperate with the blasting manager/contractor

to ensure site safety & security

• Inspect the site for misfires and deal with it in a

safe manner

Section

Blasting permits

Application for blasting & transport

permits

23

• Application submitted

on form SAPS 408

• Blaster & blasting

company details

• Supplier of explosives

• Types & quantities of

explosives

• Exact destination

• Period of work

• Purpose of blasting

• Supporting documents

Permits issued to conduct a

blasting operation

24

• Blasting permit (BLP)

- Issued to particular blaster

- Specific purpose

- Specific place of work

• Transport permit

- Temporary transport permit (TTP) or

- Continuous transport permit (CTP)

- Issued to blasting company

- Specified supplier of explosives

- Specified end-destination

Example of a blasting permit (BLP) – Part 1

25

Example of a blasting permit (BLP) – Part 2

26

Example of a blasting permit (BLP) – Part 3

27

Example of a temporary transport permit (TTP)

– Part 1

28

Example of a temporary transport permit (TTP)

– Part 2

29

Example of a temporary transport permit (TTP)

– Part 3

30

Blasting permits issued per province

during 2016/2017 = 3 076 (total)

31

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

BLPs Issued

805

532

246298

85

446

243311

110

Blasting Permits Issued – 2016/17

GP LP NW MP FS KZN EC NC WC

Section

Blast site inspections

Blast site inspections conducted per

province during 2016/2017 = 917 (total)

33

0

50

100

150

200

250

183

207

7164 58

80

150

74

30

Blast site inspections conducted – 2016/17

GP LP NW MP FS KZN EC NC WC

Section

Challenges

Challenges

35

• Failure of blasters to notify local inspector of

blasting as per condition on permit

• Blast sites with charged holes stopped by OHSA

consultants due to non-compliance with OHSA

requirements

• Interdepartmental cooperation between

regulators at national, provincial & local levels

• Inspection of all blast sites by the local inspector

• Accidents due to unsupervised work being

performed

• Lack of proper training of blaster assistants

• Non-standardised risk assessments & plans

Section

Opportunities to improve blaster competence

to enhance explosives safety and security

Opportunities to improve blaster competence

to enhance explosives safety and security

37

• Implementation of new Explosives Act, 2003

(Act No 15 of 2003)

• Establishment of blasters’ interest group/forum

• Collaboration with learning institutions to

develop and present blaster qualifications &

short courses

• Registration and training of blaster assistants

• Standardisation of minimum criteria for blast

site risk assessments, safety & security plans

• CIE accreditation with international bodies such

as the International Society of Explosives

Engineers (ISEE)

Thank you

Contact details & acknowledgement

39

Col Jurie van Staden

Section Commander: Explosives Control

Office of the Chief Inspector of Explosives - Explosives Section HO

Criminal Record & Crime Scene Management

Division: Forensic Services

South African Police Service

E-mail: vstadenjj@saps.gov.za

Mobile: +27 79 520 2788

Office: +27 12 393 2763

Fax: +27 12 323 1711

Permission granted by Mr N du Plessis, MD of Domino Blasting, to use photos on slides 6 & 14