Site Specific Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) Plan

IV. SAFETY

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  All blasting shall be performed by a competent, licensed person working for a fully insured and bonded blasting contractor.
  
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  Blasting must be approved, by permit, by the authority having jurisdiction (local fire department)
  
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  When blasting must be performed in congested areas, or in close proximity to a facility, highway, road or structure, or any other installation that could be damaged, the blaster shall take all of the appropriate precautions as it pertains to confinement, delaying, initiation, loading of each blast with “approved” mats or other acceptable "best management practices" to control the throw of fragments, for the protection of the employees, or other persons or property within the area.
  
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  Delivery and issuance of explosives shall be made to and from authorized, qualified personnel and placed into approved containers or magazines.
  
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  The use of black powder is prohibited.
  
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  When blasting is necessary, the following shall be required;
  
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    Unless otherwise permitted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction, blasting shall only be conducted between sun up and sun down.
    
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    Only authorized, competent, qualified person(s) shall handle blasting equipment, materials and explosives
    
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    Precautions shall be taken to prevent accidental discharge of electric blasting caps from current induced by cell phones, dust storms, errant power, lightning, radar and radio transmissions, or other sources of electricity.
    
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    The use of ignition sources, not related to actual blasting shall be prohibited. Fires, firearms, flames, heat producing equipment, matches, open flames and smoking is strictly forbidden.
    
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      50’ minimum
      
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    No person under the influence of alcohol, drugs, medication or other substances that produce drowsiness shall not be permitted to work with blasting equipment and explosives
    
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  All blasting materials and explosives shall be kept in “approved” containers and/or Class II magazines, as required.
  
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  All explosives and blasting agents shall be accounted for at all times, with appropriate documentation of same.
  
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  No blasting agents, explosives or other related material can be abandoned.
  
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  Explosives, blasting agents, and blasting supplies that are obviously deteriorated or damaged shall not be used.
  
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  Empty boxes, paper and filter packing materials, which previously contained high explosives, shall not be used again for any purpose, but shall be destroyed by a means permitted by the authority having jurisdiction.
  
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  Employees authorized and qualified to prepare explosive charges, or conduct blasting operations shall use every reasonable precaution including, but not limited to;
  
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    Audible and visual warning signals
    
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    Barricades and/or flag
    

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  Any confined space (see definition), which must be entered, including attics, crawl spaces, elevator hoist ways, pits, tanks, tunnels and vaults shall be evaluated by a competent person to aid in the determination of whether or not a permit is required.
  
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  Non-permit required confined spaces could easily become permit required if (as example), the known or potential hazard is or was introduced into the space.
  
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    Examples of hazards include, but are not limited to;
    
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      1/2" of water on the floor
      
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      Atmospheric hazards such as carbon monoxide (> 35 ppm), lower explosive level (> 10%), hydrogen sulfide (sewer gas) (> 10 ppm), oxygen deprivation (< 19.5%) or enrichment (> 23.5%)
      
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      Chemical
      
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      Electrical hazards
      
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      Engulfment
      
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      Entrapment
      
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      Environmental and physical hazards (temperature, fire, hot water and steam etc.)
      
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      Mechanical hazards (moving objects)
      
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  Permit-required confined spaces, such as those with hazards referenced above shall have the following safety precautions in place, as required.
  
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    All sewers and storm drains are always "Permit-Required" Confined Spaces, as they can not be made safe.
    
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  The following are the minimum requirements for "Permit-Required" Confined Spaces;
  
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    4 gas (Oxygen, LEL, CO and H2S) monitor for space (atmospheric evaluation)
    
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    Personal protective equipment, which might include a tripod for personal rescue
    
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    Attendant (person remaining outside the confined space) for the purpose of occupant safety
    
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      Attendant must be equipped with, and know how to use a means of communication to contact a rescue service
      
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      An authorized, properly trained attendant, shall monitor the entrant / occupants within the confined space, the atmospheric / environmental conditions, communication with entrant / occupants and emergency services. The attendant is not permitted to leave the confined space opening until all entrants / occupants are out of the space, or he / she is relieved by another qualified attendant.
      
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    Notification or arrangement of a "designated" rescue service (ex: local fire department)
    
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      Failure to procure a rescue service (in advance) is an OSHA non-compliance issue
      
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    Permit, completed in advance, which identifies potential hazards and corrective measures
    
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      Copies of the permits must be provided to any and all entities that require same, before the confined space is entered.