Page 230 - Safety Memo

4. Labels on containers for protective clothing and B. All blasting accidents affecting worker safety must be
equipment, scrap, waste, and debris with asbestos fibers reported to DOSH within 24 hours. 5248(a)
show the following information as per 1529(k)(8)(C):
Note: Accidents involving a serious injury or illness must be
DANGER reported to DOSH immediately but not longer than 8 hours.
342(a)
CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS
C. Explosives must be stored in the proper type of magazine
MAY CAUSE CANCER (see 5252 Table EX-1), 5251(a)
CAUSES DAMAGE TO LUNGS D. Caps and detonators must be stored in separate magazines
DO NOT BREATHE DUST away from other explosives. 5251(b), (c)
AVOID CREATING DUST E. Storage requirements are discussed in 5251, 5252, and 5253.
F. Transportation requirements are discussed in Subchapter 7
Blasting (Abrasives/Sand) Article 115 (Index). 5270
G. Safety rules for blasting operations are as follows:
Regulations for blasting with abrasives and sand include
the following: 1. No smoking or open flames are permitted within 50 ft. of
explosives handling. 5276(a)
A. Employees must wear supplied-air respirators (covering the 2. No source of ignition, except during firing, is permitted in
head, neck, and shoulders) during abrasive blasting: areas containing loaded holes. 5276(a)
1. When dust may exceed limits specified in 5155, 3. Only non-sparking tools are to be used for opening
5151(b)(1)(B). containers of explosives. 5276(b)
2. With silica sand or where toxic material evolves. 4. Explosives must be kept clear of electrical circuits
5151(b)(1)(C) by 25 ft. 5276(d)
Note: A dust filter respirator may be used for 2 hours during 5. Unused explosives must be returned promptly to the
abrasive blasting if the concentration of silica dust is less magazine. 5276(e)
than ten times the limit specified in 5151(b)(1)(C).
6. Blasting mats must be used when flying material could
B. Hearing protection must be worn as required by 1521. damage property. 5276(f)
C. Body protection must be worn as required by 1522. 7. A tally sheet that records all movement of explosives must
be kept at each magazine. 5251(n)
Blasting (Explosives) 8. Holes may be loaded only after all drilling is complete.
(see exception in 5278(a), 5278(a))
A person must hold a valid California Blaster’s License and 9. No vehicle traffic should pass over loaded holes. 5278(c)
must be physically present when performing, directing, and
supervising blasting operations. No person under the age of 10. Loaded holes must be attended. 5278(o)
21 years shall be permitted in any explosive magazine or be 11. Workers must not try to quench an explosive’s fire. 5276(l)
permitted to use, handle, or transport explosives. 5238(a),
5276(g) 12. Explosives at a blast site must be attended. 5278(o)
Exception: Persons 18 years or older and under the direct 13. No one but the attendant(s), the loading/detonation
personal supervision of a licensed blaster. crew, inspection personnel, and authorized supervisory
personnel shall be allowed within 50 ft. of the loaded
A. Blaster’s License requirements are discussed in 344.20. holes. 5278(o)(3), (w)(3)

18 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry June 2019 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2019 19