Authority: IC 14-34-2-1

Affected: IC 14-34

Sec. 29. (a) Each permittee shall comply with all applicable Indiana and federal laws and regulations in the use of explosives.

(b) Blasts that use more than five (5) pounds of explosive or blasting agent shall be conducted according to the schedule required by section 31 of this rule.

(c) No later than twelve (12) months after the implementation of the blaster certification program as required by 312 IAC 25-9-1 through 312 IAC 25-9-9, all blasting operations shall be conducted under the direct supervision of a certified blaster. Before that time all blasting operations shall be conducted by experienced and competent persons who understand the hazards involved.

(d) After implementation of the blasting certification program, the provisions of subsections (e) through (h) apply.

(e) Blast design requirements are as follows:

1. (1) An anticipated blast design shall be submitted if blasting operations will be conducted within:

   1. (A) one thousand (1,000) feet of any building used as a dwelling, not owned by the permittee, public building, school, church, or community or institutional building; or
   2. (B) five hundred (500) feet of an active or abandoned underground mine.
2. (2) The blast design may be presented as part of a permit application or at a time, prior to the blast, approved by the director.
3. (3) The blast design shall contain sketches of the typical drill patterns, delay periods, and decking and shall indicate the type and amount of explosives to be used, critical dimensions, and the location and general description of the structures to be protected, as well as a discussion of design factors to be used, that protect the public and meet the applicable airblast, ground-vibration, and flyrock standards of section 32 of this rule.
4. (4) The blast design shall be prepared and signed by a certified blaster.
5. (5) The director may require changes to the design submitted if necessary to protect public safety or prevent damage to structures in subdivision (1).

(f) The certified blaster and at least one (1) other person shall be present at the firing of a blast. The certified blaster shall either physically detonate the charge or give the order to detonate the charge.

(g) Persons responsible for blasting operations at a blasting site shall be familiar with the approved blasting plan, and site-specific performance standards.

(h) Each person responsible for blasting operations shall possess a valid certification as required by 312 IAC 25-9-1 through 312 IAC 25-9-9. All decisions concerning:

1. (1) blast hole size, spacing, or depth;
2. (2) quantity of explosives in each hole;
3. (3) total quantity of explosives to be detonated; and
4. (4) delay periods to be used;

shall be made by a certified blaster.

(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 25-6-29; filed Jun 21, 2001, 2:53 p.m.: 24 IR 3522, eff Dec 1, 2001; readopted filed May 29, 2007, 9:51 a.m.: 20070613-IR-312070146RFA; readopted filed Sep 19, 2013, 10:12 a.m.: 20131016-IR-312130125RFA; readopted filed Mar 26, 2019, 3:40 p.m.: 20190424-IR-312190011RFA; readopted filed Mar 25, 2025, 9:50 a.m.: 20250423-IR-312240574RFA)