Guidance note

Blast management plan template

Information for shotfirers on what a blast management plan may look like.

April 2012

Background For practical guidance on what should be in a BMP, refer to

A blast management plan (BMP) is a risk control plan used the WorkSafe Victoria Guidance Note, Blast management
in explosive blasting. It aims to ensure blasts are well-planned, plan.
protect people in the area and limit damage to the environment. Template for a blast management plan
Under the Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2011 This guidance note includes a suggested template for a
(Explosives Regulations), a BMP must be prepared by a BMP that may be suitable for most blasting operations.
licensed shotfirer before every blast. The Explosives
While there is no requirement to produce a BMP in this
Regulations specify what information should be included in
format, WorkSafe inspectors will expect to see a BMP in
a BMP (in accordance with AS 2187.2: Explosives - Storage
this or a similar format when they visit blasting sites.
and use. Part 2: Use of explosives) but do not specify the
format of the BMP. The template has seven parts - blast summary, responsibilities,
blast design and layout, types of explosives, permits for the
What to include in the BMP depends on the size, location,
location, risk management and record of the blast.
nature and complexity of the blasting operation. It may be
part of a site safety plan to address all hazards and risks at The template includes notes in the right column on critical
the site. Where blasting routines are already established, details to consider when adapting the plan to suit the
such as within the boundaries of a quarry, the BMP still needs requirements of different conditions and different types of
reviewing by a competent person before conducting each blasts. It also has a list of common risks and risk controls in
blast to include any changes and modifications required by the risk management section which may be appropriate to
the shotfirer. the particular site.

Blast Management Plan Template

Developed by the shotfirer to help comply with reg 130 (requirement to have a BMP) of the Dangerous Goods
(Explosives) Regulations 2011
1. Summary of the blast
Requirements Details
Blast date: Time:
Location of blast: Street name and number, suburb/town, postcode, Work Authority No.

Objective of the blast: Matters to consider include:

• Is the blast designed for demolition or extraction of ore, civil works, other?
• What are the key safety considerations?
• What are the key environmental considerations?

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2. People responsible for the blast

This provides details of the relevant people allocated with responsibilities including the shotfirer, site supervisor, blast
crew, security and the person (eg site manager) who authorised the blast at the site. Note – depending on the site, some
people might have several roles.
Shotfirer
Requirements Details
Name and licensing details: List other licences required eg licence to store explosives in a magazine.

Company: Name and address:

Position:
Contact details: Tel: Fax: Mobile:
Email:

Other key people (complete for each person)

Requirements Details
Name:
Position: Eg site supervisor.

Responsibility:
Company: Name and address:

Contact details: Tel: Fax: Mobile:

Other people involved in the blast (complete for each person)

Requirements Details
Name:
Position: Eg blast crew member or security.

Responsibility:
Company: Name and address:

Contact details: Tel: Fax: Mobile:

Email:
Security card number, if applicable: Expiry date:

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3. Blast design
This provides details of the layout of the blast, and its approval, in relation to the pattern, depth of holes and stemming
designed to minimise the potential for fly rock or other incidents.
Requirements Details
Type of ground: Eg hard or soft rock, sandy or reactive soils, hot ground.
Number/diameter of holes:

Net explosive quantity (NEQ) per hole: Burden:

Spacing and depth of hole:
Type/height of stemming:
Delay per hole: Number of rows:
Orientation: YES/NO Decking YES/NO
Blast mat/cover over site: YES/NO N/A or provide details

Blast layout plan

This illustrates the blast pattern, spacing of holes, firing points and direction of the blast. The plan should include
orientation, hole layout/spacing, any blast mats or covers, delays, burden, initiation point and firing lines.

Shotfirer Manager Approver of the plan

Name: Signature: Signature:
Date: Date: Date:

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4. Explosives/charging
This details the quantity and types of explosives to be used and confirms whether procedures have been prepared for the
storage and handling of explosives and for the conduct of the blast.
Requirements Details
Type of explosive:
Detonating cord:
Quantity of detonators:
Quantity of packaged type:
Quantity of bulk type:
Total quantity of explosives used:
Effective charge mass per delay (MIC)
and power factor:
Drilling procedures: YES/NO N/A or provide details
Loading and charging procedures: YES/NO N/A or provide details
Storage and handling procedures: YES/NO N/A or provide details

Initiation method
This provides details of the initiation and firing equipment to be used, recording of times tested and the function of equip-
ment to be used in the blast.
Requirements Details
Safety fuse burn time (per metre) and
length
Electrical testing equipment (type/
model):
Continuity: YES/NO Resistance:
Signal tube: YES/NO
Electronic: YES/NO
Delays: YES/NO
Type and number:
Initiation equipment exploder: Make and model or the initiation method.

5. Blast area permits and licences

This details the blast area (in relation to other structures and operations) and lists the permits related to the area.
Requirements Details
Blast location:
Exclusion zone (m):
Distance (m) to: Nearest dwelling: Nearest structure:
Nearest personnel: Nearest public access:
Nearest services (eg water/electricity):
Blast permits/licences YES/NO
Details of permits/licences: Include town blast permit where required and notification to WorkSafe if
intending to demolish a building or structure or part.
Supporting documents consulted: List and summaries of reports, drawings, letters and records.

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6. Blast risk management

This summarises the risks identified during a risk assessment and the risk controls determined for the site and site secu-
rity arrangements. Examples of risks and risk controls that may apply are provided.
Identified risk Risk controls
Unauthorised access to blast area: Restrict access to authorised persons; secure site with guarded gate.
Unauthorised access to explosives Secure stores and restrict access to site.
store/portable magazine:
Inadequate training and competency for • Ensure shotfirers are licensed.
staff: • Train personnel in explosives products and blast design.
• Develop and implement procedures to check training and competency.
Competency of contractors: • Review competency and training.
• Ensure drillers are competent and have required experience.
• Set minimum standards.
• State requirements in contracts.
Blasting procedure: • Develop and maintain safe blasting procedures.
• Involve competent people in development.
Inconsistent performance of explosives: • Use a reliable supplier.
• Test explosives.
• Develop procedures for use of explosives.
• Ensure shotfirers are licensed, competent and experienced.
Unreliable firing methods: • Use reliable products.
• Test safety fuses, if used, and other equipment.
• Ensure equipment is maintained by competent people.
• Develop procedures for checking firing method.
Hot ground causing premature firing: • Use appropriate firing method and types of explosives.
• Test in hot conditions.
• Check ground before designing the blast.
Damage to structures: • Evaluate the effect of ground vibration and air blast overpressure on struc-
tures or ground conditions.
• Revise blasting procedure to minimise damage.
Risk of fly rock: • Calculate quantity of explosives, stemming and capping.
• Conduct laser profiling.
• Conduct bore hole tracking.
• Provide appropriate supervision.
• Check blast pattern is as designed.
• Set up exclusion zones.
• Use blast mats.
• Use correct stemming material including size.

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Security arrangements:
Requirements Details
Security procedures for the site and Matters to consider:
the blast: • manning of all entrances and exits
• closed circuit TV
• use of sentries and preventing access inside the exclusion zone
• documented sentry procedures provided to each sentry
• location of explosives storage keys
• warning signs
• procedures for emergency services vehicles.
Communication system/s between Matters to consider:
people involved or in the vicinity of the • two-way communication
blast: • siren system
• communication to neighbours in a built up area
• back up communications system
• emergency services contact details.
Advanced warning: YES/NO N/A or provide details eg sirens, communication prior to
firing.
Audible warning: YES/NO N/A or provide details eg sirens, use of verbal sequence
for firing.
Sentries period: YES/NO N/A or provide details including number of sentries.
Signs: YES/NO N/A or provide details eg location and type.
Traffic management: YES/NO N/A or provide details eg documented procedure provided
to sentries.
‘ALL CLEAR’ signal YES/NO Provide details, if required.

7. Record of the blast

This should be completed by the shotfirer after the blast. It covers weather conditions at the time of the blast, results of
any monitoring and analysis of the blast which could be used to improve risk management at subsequent blasts.
Weather conditions
This provides details of the weather conditions at the time of the blast and whether any changes were necessary to the
original blast plan due to changing conditions.
Requirements Details
Temperature:
Wind: Speed: Direction:
Overall conditions: Dry o Overcast o Wet o Sunny o Sultry o
Thunder/lightning o Windy o
Fire ban day: N/A or detail restrictions that applied if on the day of a fire ban.
Describe how weather conditions affected blast: Detail any changes required due to the weather conditions on the day,
such as:
• lightning activity affecting electrical firing
• wind direction affecting fly rock.
Detail conditions causing delay, postponement or cancellation.

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Environmental monitoring
This provides details of the type of equipment and any measurements taken during the blast as well as key
environmental considerations for the blast to ensure that factors such as noise or vibration did not exceed acceptable
levels. These measurements could be important should there be any complaint or incident as a result of a blast.
Requirements Details
Environmental considerations and List environmental considerations for the location of the blast eg built up area,
exposure limits required: proximity to residential areas or community services such as schools, hospitals
and aged care hostels.
Monitoring equipment used: Type: Serial no: Location:

Details of measurements recorded Matters to consider:

during the blast: • vibration measurements
• noise measurements.

Post blast analysis

This assesses whether the blast design, firing and BMP met the objectives.
Requirements Details
Was there a misfire? YES/NO Provide details of any misfire, cause and rectification.

Was a misfire management system YES/NO N/A or provide details:

used and followed? (Where procedures, worksheets or similar are prepared,
reference them and attach to the BMP. Consider time lag
prior to re-entry and assessment conducted by authorised
personnel for general or other access)
Was any fly rock/fly generated? YES/NO N/A or provide details eg size, distance travelled, damage.
Results of post blast assessment and Provide details:
inspection
Were there incidents/complaints? N/A or provide details:
(Records and actions taken to rectify where necessary.
Notification to WorkSafe for incidents causing injury to any
person or immediate risk to a person’s health or safety or
property damage)
Stock reconciliation:
Are changes proposed to future blasts? Include any proposed modifications for future blasts.
Post blast comments:

Further information
Contact the WorkSafe Victoria Advisory Service on
1800 136 089 or go to worksafe.vic.gov.au
Note: This guidance material has been prepared using the best information Australian Standards
available to the Victorian WorkCover Authority and should be used for general AS 2187.2: Explosives – Storage and use. Part 2: Use of
use only. Any information about legislative obligations or responsibilities
included in this material is only applicable to the circumstances described in explosives and Appendix K – Demolition of structures
the material. You should always check the legislation referred to in this material Department of Consumer and Employment Protection
and make your own judgement about what action you may need to take to
ensure you have complied with the law. Accordingly, the Victorian WorkCover Government of Western Australia, Guide to blast plan
Authority cannot be held responsible and extends no warranties as to the preparation, including mining operations
suitability of the information for your specific circumstances; or actions taken
by third parties as a result of information contained in the guidance material. WorkSafe Victoria Guidance Note: Blast management plans
WorkSafe Victoria is a trading name of the Victorian WorkCover Authority. WorkSafe Victoria Guidance Note: Safe distances when
using blasting explosives.
Copyright WorkSafe Victoria 2012