Okla. Stat. tit. 45, § 45-911

A. Rules and procedures for storage of explosives shall be as

follows:

1. Detonators and other cap-sensitive high explosives shall be

stored in magazines provided for that purpose. Blasting agents may

be stored in van-type trailers, provided they are well-ventilated,

kept clean and free of extraneous material that could create a fire

hazard;

2. Separate magazines shall be provided for the storage of

detonators and for explosives;

3. Detonators shall not be stored in the same magazine with

explosives or blasting agents;

4. Blasting agents, safety fuse or detonating cord may be

stored with explosives, but blasting agents must be kept physically

separated from the fuse, detonating cord and explosives;

5. Magazines shall be:

a. located in accordance with the current American Table

of Distances for Storage of Explosives,

b. detached structures located away from power lines,

fuel storage area and other possible sources of fire,

c. constructed substantially of noncombustible material

or covered with fire-resistant material,

d. reasonably bullet-resistant,

e. electrically bonded and grounded if constructed of

metal,

f. made of nonsparking materials on the inside, including

floors,

g. provided with adequate and effectively screened

ventilation openings near the floor and ceiling,

h. kept securely locked when unattended,

i. posted with suitable danger signs so located that a

bullet passing through the face of a sign will not

strike the magazine,

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 45. Mines and Mining Page 136

j. used exclusively for storage of blasting agents,

explosives, or detonators and kept free of all

extraneous materials,

k. kept clean and dry in the interior, and in good

repair, and

l. unheated, unless heated in a manner that does not

create a fire or explosion hazard. Electrical heating

devices shall not be used inside a magazine;

6. Only permissible lights, worn or carried, shall be used

inside magazines;

7. Areas surrounding magazines not less than twenty-five (25)

feet in all directions shall be kept free of rubbish and other

combustibles;

8. Smoking and open flames shall not be permitted within

twenty-five (25) feet of explosives and detonator storage magazines;

9. Cases of explosives shall be stored in such a manner as to

assure the use of the oldest stock first;

10. Ammonium nitrate fuel oil mixtures shall be physically

separated from dynamite stored in the same magazine and in such a

manner that oil does not contaminate the dynamite; and

11. Cases of explosives shall not be stored on case ends or

sides nor in stacks over six (6) feet high.

B. Rules and procedures as follows shall be complied with in

the transportation of explosives:

1. Explosives and detonators shall be transported in separate

vehicles unless separated by four (4) inches of hardwood or the

equivalent;

2. Self-propelled vehicles used to transport explosives or

detonators shall be equipped with suitable fire extinguishers and

marked with proper warning signs;

3. When vehicles containing explosives or detonators are

parked, the brakes shall be set, the motive power shut off when not

in use, and if parked on an incline, the vehicle shall be blocked

securely against rolling;

4. Vehicles containing explosives or detonators shall not be

left unattended except in blasting areas where loading or charging

is in progress;

5. Vehicles containing explosives or detonators shall not be

taken to a repair garage or shop for any purpose;

6. Vehicles used to transport explosives or detonators shall be

maintained in good condition and shall be operated at a safe speed

and in accordance with recognized safe operating practices;

7. Vehicles used to transport explosives other than Ammonium

Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO) mixtures shall have substantially

constructed bodies, no sparking metal exposed in the cargo space,

and the explosives shall not be piled higher than the side or end

enclosures;
be

maintained in good condition and shall be operated at a safe speed

and in accordance with recognized safe operating practices;

7. Vehicles used to transport explosives other than Ammonium

Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO) mixtures shall have substantially

constructed bodies, no sparking metal exposed in the cargo space,

and the explosives shall not be piled higher than the side or end

enclosures;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 45. Mines and Mining Page 137

8. Explosives shall be transported at times and over routes

that endanger a minimum number of persons;

9. Other materials or supplies shall not be placed on or in the

cargo space of a conveyance containing explosives or detonators;

10. No person shall smoke while transporting or handling

explosives or detonators;

11. Only the necessary attendants shall ride on or in vehicles

containing explosives or detonators;

12. Explosives shall be transported promptly without undue

delays in transit;

13. Nonconductive containers with tight-fitting covers shall be

used to transport or carry capped fuses and electric detonators to

blasting sites; and

14. Substantial nonconductive closed containers shall be used

to carry explosives to blasting sites.

C. Rules and procedures as follows shall be complied with in

the use of explosives, with the exception of persons with a valid

coal permit issued by the Department of Mines:

1. Persons who use explosives, blasting agents or detonators

shall be certified by the Oklahoma Mining Commission. Such persons

shall understand the hazards involved, and trainees shall do such

work only under the supervision of and in the immediate presence of

certified persons;

2. Blasting operations shall be under the direct control of

certified persons designated by the operator for that purpose;

3. Damaged or deteriorated explosives, blasting agents and

detonators shall be disposed of in a safe manner;

4. Holes to be blasted shall be charged as near to blasting

time as practical, and such holes shall be blasted as soon as

practical after charging has been completed;

5. No person shall smoke within fifty (50) feet of explosives,

blasting agents or detonators;

6. Explosives and blasting agents shall be kept separated from

detonators until charging of holes is started;

7. Primers shall be made up at the time of charging and as

close to the blasting site as conditions allow;

8. Only wooden or other nonsparking devices shall be used to

punch holes in explosives cartridges;

9. Tamping poles shall be blunt and squared at one end and made

of wood or other nonsparking material;

10. No tamping shall be done directly on primer cartridges;

11. Unused explosives and detonators shall be moved to a safe

location as soon as charging operations are completed;

12. Approaches to areas in which charged holes are awaiting

firing shall be guarded, or barricaded and posted, or flagged,

against unauthorized entry. If blasting is done after dark, red

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 45. Mines and Mining Page 138

flashing lights shall be used at the approaches to the blasting

area;

13. When a blast is about to be fired, ample warning shall be

given to allow all persons to retreat to a safe place. Each mine

shall have a definite plan of warning signals that can be clearly

seen or heard by anyone in the blasting area. The operator shall

inform all employees at the local mine as to the established

procedure;

14. Enclosed blasting shelters constructed of strong materials

shall be provided to protect all persons endangered by flying rock

from blasting;

15. When safety fuse has been used, persons shall not return to

misfired holes for at least thirty (30) minutes;

16. When electric blasting caps have been used, persons shall

not return to misfired holes for at least fifteen (15) minutes.

Leading wires from the power source must be disconnected before

persons can be allowed to return to the blasting sites;
ered by flying rock

from blasting;

15. When safety fuse has been used, persons shall not return to

misfired holes for at least thirty (30) minutes;

16. When electric blasting caps have been used, persons shall

not return to misfired holes for at least fifteen (15) minutes.

Leading wires from the power source must be disconnected before

persons can be allowed to return to the blasting sites;

17. Blasted materials shall be examined for undetonated

explosives after each blast and undetonated explosives found shall

be disposed of safely;

18. Misfires shall be reported to the proper supervisor and

shall be disposed of safely before any other work is performed in

the blasting area;

19. Blast holes in hot-hole areas and holes that have been

sprung shall not be charged before tests have been made to insure

that the heat has been dissipated to a safe level;

20. If explosives are suspected of burning in a hole, all

persons in the endangered area shall move to a safe location until

the danger has passed;

21. Holes shall not be drilled where there is danger of

intersecting a charge or misfired hole;

22. Fuses and igniters shall be stored in a cool, dry place

away from oils or grease;

23. Fuses shall not be kinked, bent sharply or handled roughly;

24. Fuses shall be cut and capped in safe, dry locations posted

with "No Smoking" signs;

25. Blasting caps shall be crimped to fuses only with devices

designed for that specific purpose;

26. Fuses of less than forty-eight (48) inches in length shall

not be used for any purpose;

27. At least two persons shall be present when lighting fuses,

and no person shall light more than fifteen individual fuses. If

more than fifteen holes per person are to be fired, igniter cord and

connectors or electric blasting shall be used;

28. A safe interval of time shall be allowed to light a round

and evacuate the blasting area;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 45. Mines and Mining Page 139

29. Fuses shall be ignited with hot-wire lighters, lead

spitters, igniter cord or other such devices designed for this

purpose;

30. Fuses shall not be ignited before the primer and the entire

charge are securely in place;

31. Electric detonators of different brands shall not be used

in the same round;

32. Electric detonators shall remain shunted until they are

being wired into the blasting circuit. Lead lines and wired rounds

shall be kept shunted until immediately before blasting;

33. Completely wired rounds shall be tested with a blasting

galvanometer before connections are made to the blasting line;

34. Lead wires and blasting lines shall not be strung across

power conductors, pipelines or within twenty (20) feet of bare power

lines. They shall be protected from sources of static or other

electrical contact;

35. Permanent blasting lines shall be properly supported,

insulated and kept in good repair;

36. Charging shall be stopped immediately when the presence of

static electricity or stray current is detected; the condition shall

be corrected before charging is resumed;

37. Charging of holes shall be suspended and the persons

withdrawn to a safe location upon the approach of an electrical

storm;

38. Safety switches and blasting switches shall be labeled,

encased in boxes and arranged so that the covers of the boxes cannot

be closed with the switches in closed position;

39. Blasting switches shall be locked in the open position

except when closed to fire the blast. Lead wires shall not be

connected to the blasting switch until the shot is ready to be

fired;

40. The key to a blasting switch shall be entrusted only to the

person designated to fire blasts;

41. Electric circuits from the blasting switches to the blast

area shall not be grounded;

42. At least a five-foot air gap shall be provided between the

blasting circuit and the power circuit;

43. Where electric blasting is to be performed, electric
switch until the shot is ready to be

fired;

40. The key to a blasting switch shall be entrusted only to the

person designated to fire blasts;

41. Electric circuits from the blasting switches to the blast

area shall not be grounded;

42. At least a five-foot air gap shall be provided between the

blasting circuit and the power circuit;

43. Where electric blasting is to be performed, electric

circuits to equipment within twenty-five (25) feet of a hole that is

to be charged with an electric blasting cap shall be de-energized

before electric detonators are brought into the immediate area, or

the electric equipment shall be moved out of the immediate area;

44. Power sources shall be suitable for the number of electric

detonators to be fired and for the type of circuits used;

45. When instantaneous blasting is performed, the double-

trunkline or loop system shall be used in detonating-cord blasting;

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46. When instantaneous blasting is performed, trunklines in

multiple-row blasting shall make one or more complete loops with

crossties between loops at intervals of not over two hundred (200)

feet;

47. All detonating-cord knots shall be tight and all

connections shall be kept at right angles to the trunklines;

48. Delay connectors for firing detonating-cord shall be

treated and handled with the same safety precautions as blasting

caps and electric detonators; and

49. Detonating-cord shall not be kinked, bent or otherwise

handled in such a manner that the train of detonation may be

interrupted.

D. Rules and procedures as follows shall be complied with in

dealing with sensitized ammonium nitrate blasting agents:

1. When sensitized ammonium nitrate mixtures and blasting

agents are used, the same precautions shall be taken as for high

explosives;

2. Adequate priming shall be employed to guard against

misfires, increased toxic fumes and poor performance;

3. Where pneumatic loading is employed, before any type of

blasting operation using blasting agents is put into effect, an

evaluation of the potential hazard of static electricity shall be

made. Adequate steps, including the grounding of the conductive

parts of pneumatic loading equipment, shall be taken to eliminate

the hazard of static electricity before blasting agent preparation

is commenced;

4. Pneumatic loading equipment shall not be grounded to water

lines, air lines, rails or other permanent electrical grounding

systems;

5. Hoses used in connection with pneumatic loading machines

shall be of the semiconductive type having a total resistance low

enough to permit the dissipation of static electricity and high

enough to limit the flow of stray electric currents to a safe level.

Wire-countered hose shall not be used because of the potential

hazard from stray electric currents; and

6. Plastic tubes shall not be used to protect pneumatically

loaded blasting agent charges against water unless a positive

grounding system is provided to drain electrostatic charges from the

holes.