Page 64 - Safety Memo

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B. All blasting accidents affecting worker safety must be 14. Blasts shall not be fired without the licensed blaster-
reported to DOSH within 24 hours. 5248(a) in-charge verifying the conditions listed in 5291(b), and
without a warning signal/procedure. The signals shall be
Note: Accidents involving a serious injury or illness must be heard clearly in areas that could possibly be affected by
reported to DOSH immediately but not longer than 8 hours. the blast. 5291(b)
342(a)
C. Explosives must be stored in the proper type of magazine
(see 5252 Table EX-1), 5251(a) Carcinogens
D. Caps and detonators must be stored in separate magazines Whenever carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemicals, as
away from other explosives. 5251(b),(c)
specified in the GISOs Article 110 Regulated Carcinogens are
E. Storage requirements are discussed in 5251, 5252, 5253. present in construction materials, the employer must comply
with the reporting requirements and safety rules. 5203
F. Transportation requirements are discussed in Subchapter 7
Article 115 (Index). 5270 1. For all regulated carcinogens that specify a requirement
for the employer to establish a regulated area, use of a
G. Safety rules for blasting operations are as follows: regulated carcinogen within such a regulated area shall
1. No smoking or open flames are permitted within 50 ft. of be reported to Cal/OSHA. For regulated carcinogens
explosives handling. 5276(a) that do not have a regulated area requirement, use of
the regulated carcinogen shall be reported in certain
2. No source of ignition, except during firing, is permitted in circumstances. 5203(c)
areas containing loaded holes. 5276(a)
2. Initial use/changes in reported information of a regulated
3. Only non-sparking tools are to be used for opening carcinogen shall be reported in writing to Cal/OSHA within
containers of explosives. 5276(b) 15 days. 5203(d)
4. Explosives must be kept clear of electrical circuits 3. Employers with temporary worksites need to provide the
by 25 ft. 5276(d) initial use/changes report for their permanent workplace
5. Unused explosives must be returned promptly to the location. 5203(e)
magazine. 5276(e) 4. A copy of the applicable written report of use, temporary
6. Blasting mats must be used when flying material could worksite notification, and emergency report shall be
damage property. 5276(f) posted for affected employees to see. 5203(g)
7. A tally sheet that records all movement of explosives must 5. In case of an emergency: 5203(f )
be kept at each magazine. 5251(n) • A report of the occurrence of an emergency and the
8. Holes may be loaded only after all drilling is complete. facts obtainable at that time shall be made to Cal/
(see exception in 5278(a), 5278(a) OSHA within 24 hours.
9. No vehicle traffic should pass over loaded holes. 5278(c) • A written report shall be filed within 15 days.
10. Loaded holes must be attended. 5278(o) The safety data sheet (SDS) and labels on the container must be
reviewed to determine the presence of carcinogens.
11. Workers must not try to quench an explosive’s fire. 5276(l)
12. Explosives at a blast site must be attended. 5278(o)
13. No one but the attendant(s), the loading/detonation
crew, inspection personnel, and authorized supervisory
personnel shall be allowed within 50 ft. of the loaded
holes. 5278(o)(3),(w)(3)

16 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2015 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2015 17