PURPOSE: This rule complies with section 444.535.1(7), RSMo by setting forth the requirements for the use of explosives in strip mining for coal.

1. (1) General.

   1. (A) The operator shall comply with all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations, and the requirements of this rule on the storage, handling, preparation and use of explosives.
   2. (B) Blasting operations that use more than the equivalent of five pounds (5 lbs.) of trinitrotoluene (TNT) shall be conducted according to a reasonable time schedule approved by the director.

   3. (C) All blasting operations shall be conducted by experienced, trained and competent persons who understand the hazards involved. Persons working with explosive materials shall—

      1. 1. Have demonstrated a knowledge of,

and a willingness to comply with, safety and security requirements;

1. 2. Be capable of using mature judgement

in all situations;

1. 3. Be in good physical condition and not

addicted to intoxicants, narcotics or other similar types of drugs;

1. 4. Possess current knowledge of the

local, state and federal laws applicable to their work; and

1. 5. Have obtained a certificate of com-

pletion of training and qualification as required by state law.

1. (2) Preblasting Survey.

   1. (A) On the request to the commission of a resident or owner of a man-made dwelling or structure that is located within one-half(1/2) mile of any part of the permit area, the operator shall conduct a preblasting survey of the dwelling or structure and submit a report of the survey to the commission.
   2. (B) Personnel approved by the commission shall conduct the survey to determine the condition of the dwelling or structure and to document any preblasting damage and other physical factors that could reasonably be affected by the blasting. Assessments of structures, such as pipes, cables, transmission lines and wells and other water systems, shall be limited to surface condition and other readily available data. Special attention shall be given to the preblasting conditions of wells and other water systems used for human, animal or agricultural purposes and to the quantity and quality of the water.
   3. (C) A written report of the survey shall be prepared and signed by the persons who conducted the survey and prepared the written report. The report shall include recommendations of any special conditions or proposed adjustments to the blasting procedures outlined in section (5) of this rule which should be incorporated into the blasting plan to prevent damage. Copies of the report shall be provided to the person requesting the survey and to the commission.
2. (3) Public Notice of Blasting Schedule. At least ten (10) days, but not more than twenty

3. (20) days, before beginning a blasting program in which explosives that use more than the equivalent of five pounds (5 lbs.) of TNT are detonated, the operator shall publish a blasting schedule in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality of the proposed site. Copies of the schedule shall be distributed by mail to local governments and public utilities and to each residence within one-half (1/2) mile of the blasting sites described in the schedule. The operator shall republish and redistribute the schedule by mail at least every three (3) months. Blasting schedules shall not be so general as to cover all working hours but shall identify as accurately as possible the location of the blasting sites and the time periods when blasting will occur. The blasting schedule, at a minimum, shall contain—

   1. (A) Identification of the specific areas in which blasting will take place. The specific blasting areas described shall not be larger than three hundred (300) acres with a generally contiguous border;
   2. (B) Dates and times when explosives are to be detonated expressed in not more than four (4)-hour increments;
   3. (C) Methods to be used to control access to the blasting area;
   4. (D) Types of audible warnings and all-clear signals to be used before and after blasting; and
   5. (E) A description of possible emergency situations (defined in paragraph (5)(A)2. of this rule), which have been approved in the reclamation plan, when it may be necessary to blast at times other than those described in the schedule.
4. (4) Public Notice of Changes to Blasting Schedules. Before blasting in areas not covered by a previous schedule or whenever the proposed frequency of individual detonations are materially changed, the operator shall prepare a revised blasting schedule in accordance with the procedures in section (3) of this rule. If the change involves only a temporary adjustment of the frequency of blasts, the operator may use alternate methods to notify the governmental bodies and individuals to whom the original schedule was sent.

5. (5) Blasting Procedures.

   1. (A) General.

      1. 1. All blasting shall be conducted only

during the daytime hours, defined as sunrise until sunset. Based on public requests or other considerations, including the proximity to residential areas, the reclamation plan may specify more restrictive time periods.

1. 2. Blasting may not be conducted at

times different from those announced in the blasting schedule except in emergency situations where rain, lightning, other atmospheric conditions or operator or public safety requires unscheduled detonation.

1. 3. Warning and all-clear signals of dif-

ferent character that are audible within a range of one-half (1/2) mile from the point of the blast shall be given. All persons within the permit area shall be notified of the meaning of the signals through appropriate instructions and signs posted as required by 10 CSR 40-2.020.

1. 4. Access to the blasting area shall be

regulated to protect the public and livestock from the effects of blasting. Access to the blasting area shall be controlled to prevent unauthorized entry at least ten (10) minutes before each blast and until the operator’s authorized representative has determined that no unusual circumstances such as imminent slides or undetonated charges exist and access to and travel in or through the area can safely resume.

1. 5. Areas in which charged holes are

awaiting firing shall be guarded, barricaded and posted or flagged against unauthorized entry.

1. 6. Airblast shall be controlled so that it

does not exceed one hundred twenty-eight (128) decibel linear-peak at any man-made dwelling or structure located within one-half (1/2) mile of the permit area.

1. 7. Except where lesser distances are

approved in the reclamation plan (based upon a preblasting survey or other appropriate investigations) blasting shall not be conducted within—

1. A. Three hundred feet (300') of any

building used as a dwelling, school, church, hospital or nursing facility;

1. B. Three hundred feet (300') of facil-

ities including, but not limited to, disposal wells, petroleum or gas-storage facilities, municipal water-storage facilities, fluid-transmission pipelines, gas or oil-collection lines, or water and sewage lines; and

1. C. Five hundred feet (500') of an

underground mine not totally abandoned except with the concurrence of the Federal 10 CSR 40-2

Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration.

1. (B) Blasting Standards.

   1. 1. Blasting shall be conducted to prevent

injury to persons, damage to public or private property outside the permit area, adverse impacts on any underground mine and change in the course, channel or availability of ground or surface waters outside the permit area.

1. 2. In all blasting operations, except as

otherwise stated, the maximum peak particle velocity of the ground motion in any direction shall not exceed two (2) inches per second at the immediate location of any dwelling, public building, school, church or commercial or institutional building. The commission, in the reclamation plan, may reduce the maximum peak particle velocity allowed if it determines that a lower standard is required because of density of population or land use, age or type of structure, geology or hydrology of the area, frequency of blasts or other factors.

1. 3. The maximum peak particle velocity

of ground motion does not apply to property inside the permit area that is owned or leased by the operator.

1. 4. An equation for determining the max-

imum weight of explosives that can be detonated within any eight (8)-millisecond period is given in paragraph (5)(B)5. of this rule. If the blasting is conducted in accordance with this equation, the commission will consider the vibrations to be within the one inch (1") per second limit.

1. 5. The maximum weight of explosives to

be detonated within any eight (8)-millisecond period shall be determined by the formula

W= ( D )2

where W=the maximum weight of explosives, in pounds, that can be detonated in any eight (8)-millisecond period; and D= the distance, in feet, to the nearest dwelling, public building, school, church, or commercial or institutional building.

1. 6. For distances between three hundred

fifty feet to five thousand feet (350'–5000'), solution of the equation results in the following maximum weight.

Distance (D) Maximum Weight W) in feet in pounds 350 34 400 44 500 69

1. 7. If on a particular site the peak parti-

cle velocity continuously exceeds one-half (1/2) inch per second after a period of one (1) second following the maximum ground particle velocity, the reclamation plan will be revised to limit the ground motion.

1. (C) Seismograph Measurements.

   1. 1. Where a seismograph is used to mon-

itor the velocity of ground motion and the peak particle velocity limit of one inch (1") per second is not exceeded, the equation in paragraph (5)(B)5. of this rule need not be used. However, if the equation is not being used, a seismograph record shall be obtained for every shot.

1. 2. The use of a modified equation to

determine maximum weight of explosives for blasting operations at a particular site may be approved on receipt of a petition accompanied by reports including seismograph records of test blasting on the site. However, in no case shall the commission approve the use of a modified equation where the peak particle velocity limit of one inch (1") per second required in paragraph (5)(B)2. of this rule would be exceeded.

1. 3. The commission may require a seis-

mograph recording of any or all blasts.

1. (D) Records of Blasting Operations. A record of each blast, including seismograph reports, shall be retained for at least three (3) years and shall be available for inspection by the commission and the public on request. The record shall contain the following data:

   1. 1. Name of operator or other person

conducting the blast;

1. 2. Location, date and time of blast;
2. 3. Name, signature and license number

of blaster-in-charge;

1. 4. Direction and distance, in feet, to

nearest dwelling, school, church or commercial or institutional building neither owned or leased by the operator;

1. 5. Weather conditions;
2. 6. Type of material blasted;
3. 7. Number of holes, burden and spac-

ing;

1. 8. Diameter and depth of holes;
2. 9. Types of explosives used;
3. 10. Total weight of explosives used;
4. 11. Maximum weight of explosives det-

onated within any eight (8)-millisecond period;

1. 12. Maximum number of holes detonat-

ed within any eight (8)-millisecond period;

1. 13. Methods of firing and type of cir-

cuit;

1. 14. Type and length of stemming;
2. 15. If mats or other protections were

used;

1. 16. Type of delay detonator used and

delay periods used; and

1. 17. Seismograph records, where re-

quired, including:

1. A. Seismograph reading, including

exact location of seismograph and its distance from the blast;

1. B. Name of person taking the seismo-

graph reading; and

1. C. Name of person and firm analyz-

ing the seismograph record.

AUTHORITY: section 444.535, RSMo 1986.* Original rule filed July 13, 1978, effective Jan. 13, 1979. Amended: Filed July 15, 1980, effective Nov. 13, 1980. *Original authority: 444.535, RSMo 1978, amended 1988.