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💥 SOP-MIN-002: Blasting Safety and Exclusion Zones

Rule zero: Nobody is in the danger zone, and everyone is accounted for, before a blast is fired.

FieldDetail
Company / siteRidgeline Copper Operations (fictional sample company)
Document No.SOP-MIN-002
Revision1.0 (approved)
Effective2026-10-06
Next review due2027-10-06 (or after any incident or change)
Applies toBlasting crew, supervisors, operators, security and all personnel in the mine during a blast
OwnerBlast Engineer
Approved byMine Manager and Site Safety Manager

1. Purpose

To control the risks of blasting: fly rock, vibration, air blast, premature initiation, misfires and fumes, by defining who may do what, where people must be, and how the all-clear is given.

2. Scope

Surface and underground blasts. This SOP covers safety controls and clearance. Explosives handling, storage and design follow the licensed blast plan and the regulator's rules.

3. Roles and responsibilities

RoleResponsibilities
Blast EngineerApproves the blast design and exclusion zone, owns the blast plan.
Authorized shotfirerLicensed person who charges, ties in and fires the blast; only they hold the firing key.
Blast guard / sentriesHold the exclusion boundary and report that every access point is closed.
SupervisorConfirms evacuation, headcount and equipment moved, gives permission to fire.
All personnelObey blast warnings and stay out of the exclusion zone.

4. Hazards and controls

HazardControl
Fly rock and projectilesCalculated exclusion zone, stemming control, blast mats, personnel and equipment moved
Premature or unplanned initiationSeparate initiation system control, no radios or ignition sources inside the minimum distance, firing key kept by the shotfirer
MisfireWait the minimum time, inspect, follow the misfire procedure, keep the area closed
Fumes and dustWind check, ventilation, re-entry only after clearance
Vibration and air blastVibration limits, monitoring and notification of neighbours

5. Site-specific parameters

ParameterValue at Ridgeline Copper Mine
Exclusion zone (people)500 m from the blast, set per blast plan on the day
Exclusion zone (equipment)300 m unless parked behind a berm and approved by the Blast Engineer
Warning signalSiren: 3 long blasts 5 minutes before, 1 long blast at the shot, continuous siren as the all-clear after inspection
Blast radio channelCh 7 (dedicated); all other traffic stops on that channel during the shot
Blast times12:00 and 16:30, Monday to Saturday; changes announced by 08:00
Minimum wait after the blast15 minutes before the shotfirer's inspection; longer if fumes remain
Sentries6 access points, each with a named sentry and a numbered access card
Vibration limitPPV 25 mm/s at the nearest community monitor

6. Procedure

Before the blast

  1. Blast Engineer issues the blast plan and exclusion zone for the day.
  2. Notify neighbours and relevant parties as required.
  3. Move all people, vehicles and equipment out of the exclusion zone and record the headcount.
  4. Place sentries at every access point and confirm by radio that each is secure.

Firing

  1. Shotfirer confirms to the Supervisor that charging is complete and the area is clear.
  2. Sound the warning signal for the required time.
  3. Supervisor confirms headcount and all sentries in position, then gives permission to fire.
  4. Shotfirer fires the blast and keeps the firing key until the all-clear.

After the blast

  1. Wait the minimum safe time before approaching.
  2. Shotfirer inspects the blast for misfires, unexploded material, loose ground and fumes.
  3. Only when the shotfirer and Supervisor give the all-clear are sentries released and the area reopened.
  4. Record the blast result, any misfire and any monitoring data.

Misfire

  1. Keep the area closed and tell the Blast Engineer immediately.
  2. Only authorized persons follow the approved misfire procedure.
  3. Do not resume work in the area until the misfire is cleared and recorded.

7. Stop-work triggers

Stop the job, make the area safe and call the supervisor if any of these happen:

  • Anyone is found inside the exclusion zone
  • A sentry cannot confirm their access point
  • Lightning or a storm approaches the blast site
  • A misfire or unexpected condition is found
  • Communications fail between shotfirer and supervisor

8. Emergency response

  1. Call the all-stop on the blast channel and keep everyone clear.
  2. If a person is injured, call emergency response and begin first aid only when the area is declared safe.
  3. Report any near miss or unplanned event as a high-potential incident.

9. Records

  • Blast plan, headcount and sentry log for each blast
  • Misfire reports and monitoring data
  • Shotfirer licences and competency records

10. Related documents

  • Emergency response and evacuation (SOP-MIN-007)
  • Ground control and slope stability (SOP-MIN-003)
  • Job hazard assessment (JHA) template
  • Incident reporting and investigation SOP (SOP-MIN-010)
  • Applicable regulations for your jurisdiction, for example MSHA 30 CFR Parts 56 and 57 in the United States

Controlled document. The current version lives in this library. Printed copies are uncontrolled: check the revision before you use one. Questions or improvements go to the document owner.

11. Revision history

RevDateAuthorChange
1.02026-10-06Site HSE departmentFirst issue, approved for use

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