11 CSR 40-7.010
Blasting—Licensing, Registration, Notification, Requirements, and Penalties
PURPOSE: This rule explains the licensing
and registration processes for explosive users
and blasters and the standards for the use of
commercial explosives in regulated activities.
(1) The following definitions shall be used in
interpreting this rule:
(A) “Blaster,” a person qualified to be in
charge of and responsible for the loading and
firing of an explosive or explosive material;
(B) “Blast,” detonation of explosives;
(C) “Blasting,” the use of explosives in
mining or construction;
(D) “Blast site,” the area where explosives
are handled during loading of a bore hole,
including fifty feet (50') in all directions from
the perimeter formed by loaded holes. A minimum of thirty feet (30') may replace the
fifty- (50-) foot requirement if the perimeter
of loaded holes is marked and separated from
non-blast site areas by a barrier. The fifty-
(50-) foot or thirty- (30-) foot distance
requirements, as applicable, shall apply in all
directions along the full depth of the bore
hole;
(E) “Board,” the State Blasting Safety
Board created in section 319.324, RSMo;
(F) “Bore hole,” a hole made with a drill,
auger, or other tool in which explosives are
placed in preparation for detonation;
(G) “Burden,” the distance from an explosive charge to the nearest free or open face at
the time of detonation;
(H) “Business day,” any day of the week
except Saturday, Sunday, or a federal or state
holiday;
(I) “Deck,” charge of explosives separated
from other charges by stemming;
(J) “Delay period,” the time delay provided by blasting caps which permits firing of
bore holes in sequence;
(K) “Detonation,” the action of converting
the chemicals in an explosive charge to gases
at a high pressure by means of a self-propagating shock wave passing through the
charge;
(L) “Detonator,” any device containing
initiating or primary explosive that is used for
initiating detonation of another explosive
material. A detonator may not contain more
than ten (10) grams of total explosives by
weight,
excluding
ignition
or
delay
charges.The term includes, but is not limited
to, electric blasting caps of instantaneous and
delay types, blasting caps for use with safety
fuse, detonating cord delay connectors, and
nonelectric instantaneous and delay blasting
caps which use detonating cord, nonelectric
shock tube, or any other replacement for
electric leg wires;
(M) “Division,” the Missouri Division of
Fire Safety;
(N) “Direct supervision,” to mean the
supervisor (blaster) is physically present on
the same job site as the person loading or firing the explosives;
(O) “Explosives,” any chemical compound, mixture, or device, the primary or
common purpose of which is to function by
explosion, including, but not limited to,
dynamite, black powder, pellet powder, initiating explosives, detonators, millisecond connectors, safety fuses, squibs, detonating cord,
igniter cord, and igniters; includes explosive
materials such as any blasting agent, emulsion explosive, water gel, or detonator.
Explosive materials determined to be within
the coverage of sections 319.300 to 319.345,
RSMo shall include all such materials listed
in Chapter 40 of Title 18 of the United States
Code, as amended, as issued at least annually by the Department of Justice, Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives;
(P) “Firing,” causing explosives to be detonated by the use of a fuse, electric detonator, or nonelectric shock tube;
(Q) “Fire protection official,” an authorized representative of a municipal fire
department, fire protection district, or volunteer fire protection association for the area
where blasting occurs;
(R) “Fugitive from justice,” any person
who has fled from the jurisdiction of any
court of record to avoid prosecution for any
crime or to avoid giving testimony in any
criminal proceeding. The term shall also
include any person who has been convicted of
any crime and has fled to avoid case disposition;
(S) “Initiation system,” components of an
explosive charge that cause the charge to detonate, such as primers, electric detonators,
and detonating charge;
(T) “Loading,” placing of explosives in a
hole in preparation for detonation;
(U) “Local government,” a city, county,
fire protection district, volunteer fire protection association, or other political subdivision
of the state;
(V) “Person using explosives,” any individual, proprietorship, partnership, firm,
corporation, company, or joint venture that is
required to hold authority to receive or use
explosives under statutes or regulations
administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives and who employs licensed
blasters;
(W) “Scaled distance,” a value determined
by dividing the linear distance, in feet, from
the blast to a specified location, by the square
root of the maximum weight of explosives, in
pounds, to be detonated in any eight- (8-)
millisecond period;
(X) “Seismograph,” an instrument that
measures ground vibration and acoustic
effects;
(Y) “Stemming,” inert material that is
placed above explosives that have been placed
in a blast hole in preparation for detonation
or vertically between columnar decks of
explosives that have been placed in a hole in
preparation for detonation; and
(Z) “Uncontrolled structure,” any dwelling,
public building, school, church, commercial
building, or institutional building that is not
owned or leased by the person using explosives, or otherwise under the direct contractual responsibility of the person using explosives.
(2) The following fees shall apply for the
licensing of blasters, registration of persons
using explosives, explosives use reporting,
and testing:
(A) Individual Blaster’s License: one hundred dollars ($100) for a three- (3-) year
license;
(B) Registration fee for a person using
explosives (one- (1-) time fee): two hundred
dollars ($200);
(C) Annual explosive use fee: five hundred
dollars ($500) plus five dollars ($5) per ton of
explosives or explosive materials used within
the state.
1. When the total pounds of explosive
materials used results in a portion of a ton,
the tonnage reported shall be rounded to the
nearest ton.
2. Per ton fees shall not include any
items defined by statute as “detonators”; and
(D) Testing/retesting fee: twenty-five dollars ($25) per individual test.
(3) Blaster Licensing.
(A) Any individual, except as exempted by
statute, who conducts blasting or is in charge
of or responsible for the loading and firing of
any explosive material in the state shall be
licensed by the division as a blaster.
1. Any individual, proprietorship, partnership, firm, corporation, company, or joint
venture defined as a “person using explosives” shall not be required to hold license as
a blaster; however, any blasting conducted on
behalf of a person using explosives shall be
conducted by a licensed blaster.
(B) Exemptions. The requirement for
obtaining a blaster’s license shall not apply
to:
1. Individuals employed by universities,
colleges, or trade schools when the use of
explosives is confined to instruction or
research;
2. Individuals using explosive materials
in the forms prescribed by the official U.S.
Pharmacopoeia or the National Formulary
and used in medicines and medicinal agents;
3. Individuals conducting training or
emergency operations of any federal, state, or
local government including all departments,
agencies, and divisions thereof, provided they
are acting in their official capacity and in the
proper performance of their duties or functions;
4. Individuals that are members of the
armed forces or any military unit of Missouri
or the United States who are using explosives
while on official training exercises or who are
on active duty;
5. Individuals using pyrotechnics, commonly known as fireworks, including signaling devices such as flares, fuses, and torpedoes;
6. Individuals using small arms ammunition and components thereof which are subject to the Gun Control Act of 1968, 18
U.S.C., Section 44, and regulations promulgated thereunder;
7. Any individual performing duties in
underground mines regulated by 30 CFR Part
48, Subpart A, 30 CFR Part 57, or performing duties in coal mining regulated by 30
CFR Part 75, and 30 CFR Part 77 of the
Code of Federal Regulations, as amended, or
using explosives within an industrial furnace;
8. Any individual having a valid
blaster’s license or certificate issued under
the provisions of any requirement of the U.S.
government in which the requirements for
obtaining the license or certificate meet or
exceed the requirements of sections 319.300
to 319.345, RSMo;
9. Individuals using agricultural fertilizers when used for agricultural or horticultural purposes;
10. Individuals handling explosives
while in the act of transporting them from
one (1) location to another;
11. Individuals assisting or training
under the direct supervision of a licensed
blaster;
12. Individuals handling explosives
while engaged in the process of explosives
manufacturing;
13. Employees, agents, or contractors of
rural electric cooperatives organized or operating under Chapter 394, RSMo; and
14. Individuals discharging historic
firearms and cannon or reproductions of historic firearms and cannon. (319.321, RSMo)
(C) All applicants for a blaster’s license
shall meet all the following requirements:
1. Be at least twenty-one (21) years of
age;
2. Not have willfully violated any provisions of sections 319.300 to 319.345, RSMo;
3. Not have knowingly withheld information or have not made any false or fictitious statement intended or likely to deceive
in connection with the application;
4. Have familiarity and understanding of
relevant federal and state laws relating to
explosive materials;
5. Not have been convicted in any court
of, or pleaded guilty to, a felony;
6. Not be a fugitive from justice;
7. Not be an unlawful user of any controlled substance in violation of Chapter 195,
RSMo;
8. Not have been adjudicated as mentally defective; and
9. Not advocate or knowingly belong to
any organization or group that advocates violent action.
(D) An applicant for a blaster’s license
shall also meet one (1) of the following
licensing criteria, to be eligible to apply to
the division for a license:
1. Licensing by reciprocity. Within the
three (3) years prior to applying for a license,
the individual must have held a valid license
or certification from a source identified by
the division as meeting or exceeding the provisions for licensing within the state of Missouri. (319.306.12, RSMo)
2. Licensing by equivalency. An individual employed as a blaster on or before
December 31, 2000, who, within the two (2)
years prior to applying for a license, has
accumulated one thousand (1,000) hours of
training or education and experience
employed or contracted by a person using
explosives, must produce an affidavit signed
by that person using explosives validating the
training or education and experience.
A. A license granted pursuant to this
provision shall only be valid for blasting conducted for the person using explosives submitting the affidavit.
B. An individual granted a license
that then leaves the employment of or no
longer contracts with the person submitting
the affidavit shall surrender their license and
then shall be subject to the licensing requirements as a new blaster.
3. New blaster. An individual must have
accumulated one thousand (1,000) hours of
documented experience, as approved by the
division, directly relating to the use of explosives within the two (2) years immediately
prior to applying for a license, completed an
approved course of instruction and then successfully passed an approved licensing examination.
(E) All applicants shall submit the following to the division when applying for a
license:
1. A completed “Application for
Licensed Blaster”;
2. A copy of a valid state driver’s license
or state ID card as proof of applicant’s age
and identity;
3. An approved criminal background
check conducted within the applicant’s state
of residence;
4. Copy of U.S. Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco,
Firearms
and
Explosives
permit/license verifying compliance with
applicable federal laws relating to possession,
sales, storage, or use of explosives;
5. Two (2) passport-type photographs;
and
6. A check, money order, or bank draft
in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100)
(U.S.) payable to the Missouri Division of
Fire Safety.
(F) All applicants applying as a new
blaster must also submit all the following to
the division when applying for a license:
1. Documentation of having successfully completed a training course approved by
the division; and
2. Documentation affirming required
approved training and experience related to
the use of explosives.
(G) A blaster’s license issued by the division shall expire three (3) years from the date
of issuance.
1. To be eligible for renewal of a
blaster’s license, the individual seeking relicensure must submit all of the following to
the division no less than thirty (30) days
before the date of current license expiration:
A. A completed “Application for
Licensed Blaster”;
B. A copy of a valid state driver’s
license or state ID card;
C. Documentation of having successfully completed a total of eight (8) hours of
approved continuing education training related to the use of explosives. Four (4) hours of
which must have occurred within the twelve
(12) months immediately before the date of
license expiration;
D. An approved current criminal
background check conducted within the
applicant’s state of residence;
E. Copy of U.S. Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco,
Firearms
and
Explosives
permit/license verifying compliance with
applicable federal laws relating to possession, sales, storage, or use of explosives, if
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applicable;
F. Two (2) passport-type photographs;
G. A check, money order, or bank
draft in the amount of one hundred dollars
($100) (U.S.) payable to the Missouri Division of Fire Safety.
2. Any individual whose license has
been expired for a period of three (3) years or
less shall be required to submit documentation of successfully passing an approved
examination and completion of eight (8)
hours of approved training prior to being eligible to apply for renewal of a license.
3. Any individual whose license has
been expired for a period of more than three
(3) years shall be required to submit documentation of successfully passing an
approved examination and completion of
twenty (20) hours of approved training prior
to being eligible to apply for a blaster’s
license.
(H) Blasters Training Courses.
1. The division shall review and approve
training courses that fulfill the training
requirement of qualifying for a blaster’s
license and fulfill the training requirement for
renewal of a blaster’s license.
2. Any person applying to the division
for approval of a course of instruction that
meets the blasters’ training requirement shall
submit the following:
A. A completed “Application for
Blaster Training Course Approval”;
B. A description and copy of instructional materials to be used in the course;
C. An outline of the subject matter to
be taught, including course objectives and the
minimum hours of instruction on each topic;
D. A description of the qualifications
of the instructor or instructors; and
E. Copies of the tests, quizzes, activities, and/or projects included in the course.
3. To be approved by the division, a
blaster’s training course shall contain at least
twenty (20) hours of instruction to prepare
attendees for obtaining a blaster’s license the
first time, or eight (8) hours of instruction to
prepare attendees for obtaining a license
renewal.
4. The division shall review the application regarding the knowledge and experience
of proposed instructors, the total hours of
training, and the adequacy of proposed training in subject matter.
5. If the division determines that training proposed by the applicant is adequate, a
letter of approval shall be issued to the applicant.
6. Course approval shall be effective for
a period of three (3) years, after which the
materials required in paragraph (3)(H)2.
above must be submitted again.
7. If at any time the division determines
that an approved training course no longer
meets the standards of this section, the letter
of approval may be revoked with written
notice.
8. The division or any person providing
a course of instruction may charge an appropriate fee to recover the cost of conducting
such instruction.
9. The division shall maintain a current
list of persons who provide approved training
and shall make this list available by any reasonable means to professional and trade associations, labor organizations, universities,
vocational schools, and others upon request.
10. Any person providing training in an
approved course shall submit a list of individuals that attended any such course to the
division within ten (10) business days after
completion of the course.
11. The division or its authorized agent
shall offer annually at least two (2) courses of
instruction that fulfill the training requirement of qualifying for a blaster’s license and
two (2) courses that fulfill the training
requirement for renewal of a blaster’s license.
(I) Testing for Licensure.
1. The division shall approve and
administer a standard examination or examinations for the purpose of qualifying an individual to obtain a blaster’s license.
A. All examinations shall remain the
property of the division and in the possession
of the division.
2. Individuals applying to test as a
blaster must submit a completed “Application
for Licensed Blaster Examination” and the
appropriate testing fee.
3. Applications must be received by the
division no less than twenty (20) business
days prior to the scheduled exam date. Preregistration is required for all examinations.
4. The division will score all exams and
applicants will be notified by letter accordingly within thirty (30) days of the exam.
5. Notification will indicate only
pass/fail status.
6. A passing score shall be a score of
seventy-five percent (75%) or above on the
exam.
7. An applicant shall not be eligible to
retest until after receiving notification of failure.
8. Should an applicant fail the exam a
second time, he or she must retake an
approved training course before being
allowed to retest for a license.
9. If an applicant has not taken a retest
within six (6) months of original test date, he
or she must take an approved course again to
be eligible to test.
(4) Persons Using Explosives.
(A) Any person using explosives in Missouri shall register with the division prior to
first using explosives in Missouri.
(B) Upon initial registration, the person
using explosives shall submit to the division:
1. The name of the person, company, or
organization;
2. The address of the person, company,
or organization;
3. The telephone and facsimile number
of the person, company, or organization;
4. The email address;
5. The name of the principal individual
having responsibility for supervision of the
use of explosives;
6. Copy of U.S. Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco,
Firearms
and
Explosives
permit/license verifying compliance with
applicable federal laws relating to possession,
sales, storage, or use of explosives, if applicable; and
7. A fee of two hundred dollars ($200)
(U.S.).
(C) For persons using explosives at multiple locations under the operational control of
one (1) parent company or organization, only
one (1) registration fee for the parent company or organization shall be required.
(5) Each registered person using explosives in
Missouri shall, by January 31 of each year
after registering, file an annual report with
the division for the preceding calendar year.
(A) The initial annual report shall only
include that portion of the preceding calendar
year after the date the person became subject
to the requirement to register.
(B) The report shall include:
1. Any change or addition to the information required in this section;
2. The name and address of the distributors from which explosives were purchased;
3. The total number of pounds of explosives purchased for use in Missouri; and
4. The total number of pounds actually
used in Missouri during the period covered
by the report.
(C) Persons required to report annually
shall maintain records sufficient to prove the
accuracy of the information reported.
(D) The person using explosives shall submit with the report, an explosive use fee of
five hundred dollars ($500) plus five dollars
($5) per ton of explosives or explosive materials used within the state.
(E) Any initial increase of the explosive
use fee promulgated by rule shall be only on
those explosives used from July 1 of the calendar year preceding the annual report
required in section (5) above unless the report
is an initial report pursuant to subsection
(5)(A).
1. If the report of total pounds used
results in a portion of a ton, the cumulative
total of the fee shall be rounded to the nearest ton.
2. In the event that less than one (1) ton
of explosives has been used in the reporting
period, the five hundred dollar ($500) annual
fee shall be submitted with the annual report
to the division.
(F) The division may audit the records of
any person using explosives required to
report annually to determine the accuracy of
the number of pounds of explosives reported.
(G) In connection with such audit, the division may also require any distributor of
explosives to provide a statement of sales during the year to persons required to report.
(6) Notification of Blasting Operations.
(A) Any person using or intending to use
explosives within Missouri shall notify the
division in writing or by telephone at least
two (2) business days in advance of first using
explosives at a site where blasting has not
been previously conducted.
(B) If blasting will be conducted at an
ongoing project, such as a long-term construction project, or at a permanent site, the
person shall only be required to make one (1)
notice to the division in advance of the first
use of explosives.
(C) The notice required by this section
shall state the name, address, and telephone
number of the person using explosives, the
name of the individual responsible for supervision of blasting, the date or approximate
period over which blasting will be conducted,
the location of blasting by street address,
route, or other description, and the nature of
the project or reason for blasting.
(D) This section shall not apply to any
blasting required by a contract with any agency of the state of Missouri, any federal agency, or any political subdivision.
(7) Exemptions. Sections (4) through (6)
above shall not apply to:
(A) Any individual, proprietorship, partnership, firm, corporation, company, or joint
venture defined as a “person using explosives” that does not employ blasters required
to be licensed by the division;
(B) Universities, colleges, or trade schools
when confined to the purpose of instruction
or research;
(C) The use of explosive materials in the
forms prescribed by the official U.S. Pharmacopoeia or the National Formulary and
used in medicines and medicinal agents;
(D) The training or emergency operations
of any federal, state, or local government
including all departments, agencies, and divisions thereof, provided they are acting in
their official capacity and in the proper performance of their duties or functions;
(E) The use of explosives by the military or
any agency of the United States;
(F) The use of pyrotechnics, commonly
known as fireworks, including signaling
devices such as flares, fuses, and torpedoes;
(G) The use of small arms ammunition and
components thereof which are subject to the
Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C., Section
44, and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Any small arms ammunition and components
thereof exempted by the Gun Control Act of
1968 and regulations promulgated thereunder
are also exempted from the provisions of sections 319.300 to 319.345, RSMo;
(H) Any person performing duties using
explosives within an industrial furnace;
(I) The use of agricultural fertilizers when
used for agricultural or horticultural purposes;
(J) The use of explosives for lawful demolition of structures;
(K) The use of explosives by employees,
agents, or contractors of rural electric cooperatives organized or operating under Chapter 394, RSMo; and
(L)
Individuals
discharging
historic
firearms and cannon or reproductions of historic firearms and cannon.
(8) Local Jurisdictions.
(A) Any person using explosives that will
conduct blasting within the jurisdiction of a
municipality shall notify the appropriate representative of the municipality in writing or
by telephone at least two (2) business days in
advance of blasting at that location.
1. An appropriate representative shall be
deemed to be the city’s public works department, code enforcement official, or an official at the main office maintained by the
municipality.
2. In any area where blasting will be
conducted, whether in a municipality or in an
unincorporated area, the person using explosives also shall notify the appropriate fire
protection official for the jurisdiction where
blasting will occur, which may be a city fire
department, fire protection district, or volunteer fire protection association.
3. The notice shall state:
A. The name, address, and telephone
number of the person using explosives;
B. The name of the individual responsible for supervision of blasting;
C. The date or approximate period
over which blasting will be conducted;
D. The location of blasting by street
address, route, or other description; and
E. The nature of the project or reason
for blasting.
4. If blasting will be conducted at an
ongoing project, such as a long-term construction project, or at a permanent site, such
as a surface mine, the person shall only be
required to make one (1) notice to the municipality or appropriate fire protection official
in advance of the first use of explosives.
5. Any such ongoing projects or permanent sites in existence at the time of the effective date of sections 319.300 to 319.345,
RSMo shall not be required to provide notice
as described in this subsection.
6. Any person using explosives, which
will conduct blasting within the jurisdiction
of a municipality, shall notify the owner or
occupant of any residence or business located
within a scaled distance of fifty-five (55)
from the site of blasting prior to the start of
blasting at any new location.
A. One (1) notification delivered by
mail, by telephone, through the printed notification posted prominently on the premises
or the property of the owner or occupant of
the residence or business, or delivered in person to any such owner or occupant meets the
requirements of this subsection.
B. A municipality may provide the
name, last known address, and telephone
number of the owners or occupants of any
residence or business that may be located
within the scaled distance of fifty-five (55)
from the site of blasting to the person using
explosives upon that person’s request.
(B) Any municipality or county may by
ordinance or order—
1. Require that a permit be obtained in
addition to the notice required by this section,
with such application for permit being due no
more than ten (10) days prior to the first use
of explosives;
2. Require that the application for the
permit contain specific information about the
type of explosives to be used and their storage location at the site where used;
3. Require the applicant to demonstrate
an acceptable plan for signage or other means
of informing the public of blasting in proximity to public streets or highways and any
request for temporary closing of streets or
routing of traffic;
4. Specify the times of day blasting may
be conducted, which shall not be less than
eight (8) consecutive hours on any day of the
week except the ordinance or order may prohibit blasting on Sunday unless approved by
the municipality or county upon application
by the person using explosives;
5. Require that the applicant submit
proof that the person using explosives is registered with the division and that blasting will
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be conducted by a licensed blaster;
6. Require that the applicant submit
proof of commercial general liability insurance in an acceptable amount, which shall be
no less than one (1) million dollars and no
more than five (5) million dollars;
7. Require that the applicant make at
least three (3) documented attempts to contact
the owner of any uncontrolled structures within a scaled distance of thirty-five (35) from
the blast site in order to conduct a preblast
survey of such structures. A preblast survey
is not required if the owner of any such structure does not give permission for a survey to
be conducted;
8. Enact any other provision necessary
to carry out the provisions of the ordinance or
order, including the conditions under which
the permit may be suspended or revoked or
appropriate fines may be imposed for failure
to obtain a permit or violations of the permit;
and
9. A permit for blasting under a municipal or county ordinance or order and complying with this section shall be granted by
the municipality or county upon satisfying
the requirements of the ordinance or order
and upon the applicant’s payment of a reasonable fee to cover the administration of the
permit system.
(C) Any authorized representative of a
municipality, county, or an appropriate fire
protection official may—
1. Require any person using explosives
to show proof that he or she is registered with
the division and blasting is being conducted
by an individual that is licensed under the
provisions of section 319.306, RSMo;
2. Request and be allowed access to the
site of blasting by the person using explosives
and shall be allowed to observe blasting from
a safe location as designated by the blaster;
3. Examine records of blasting required
to be maintained by sections 319.309 and
319.315, RSMo;
4. However, no municipality, county, or
fire protection official shall require a person
using explosives or a blaster to surrender
such records, or a copy of such records, to
the municipality or fire protection official
except as necessary under an investigation of
the blaster’s violation of a municipal or county permit; and
5. Report suspected violations of sections 319.300 to 319.345, RSMo to the division.
(D) Except in any county included in section 319.342, RSMo or quarries operating
within a county meeting the requirements of
section 319.343, RSMo, no existing or future
ordinance or order shall—
1. Preempt, exceed, amend, or conflict
with the provisions of sections 319.309 to
319.342, RSMo or any rule promulgated pursuant to section 319.327, RSMo; or
2. Preempt, amend, exceed, or conflict
with the provisions of any statute, regulation,
or policy established by—
A. The United States Department of
Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives;
B. Chapter 40 of Title 18 of the United States Code, as amended;
C. The United States Department of
Transportation;
D. The federal Mine Safety and
Health Administration; or
E. The federal Occupational Safety
and Health Administration.
(E) The requirements for notification and
provisions of local ordinances shall not apply
to any blasting required by a construction
contract with any agency of the state of Missouri, any federal agency, or any political
subdivision.
(F) Nothing in these rules shall preempt
the rights and remedies afforded by the general assembly or common law to persons
damaged by blasting.
(G) Nothing in this section shall be construed to exempt any person using explosives
from the requirements of registering with and
reporting explosives used to the division and
paying the associated fees.
(9) It shall be the duty of each licensed
blaster and each person using explosives to
assure that the requirements of this section
are met.
(A) Any person using explosives in the
state of Missouri shall calculate the scaled
distance to the nearest uncontrolled structure.
If more than one (1) uncontrolled structure is
the same approximate distance from the blast
site, then the person using explosives may
select one (1) representative structure for calculation of scaled distance.
(B) In any instance when the calculated
scaled distance value is fifty-five (55) or less,
any person using explosives shall use at least
one (1) seismograph calibrated to the manufacturer’s standard for use to record the
ground vibration and acoustic levels that
occur from the use of such explosives or
explosive materials.
(C) When measuring ground vibration and
acoustic levels, the seismograph shall be
placed in the proximity of the nearest uncontrolled structure or, at the option of the person using explosives, closer to the blast site.
If more than one (1) uncontrolled structure is
the same approximate distance from the blast
site, then the person using explosives may
select one (1) representative structure for
placement of the seismograph.
(D) Any person using explosives who is
voluntarily using a seismograph calibrated to
the manufacturer’s standard for use for all
blasting is exempt from the requirements of
this section.
(E) Seismograph recordings of the ground
vibration and acoustic levels created by the
use of explosives, when required as above,
shall be retained for at least three (3) years.
Such recordings shall be made available to
the division within twenty-four (24) hours of
a request by any representative of the division.
(F) Each seismograph recording and the
accompanying records shall include the—
1. Maximum ground vibration and
acoustics levels recorded;
2. Specific geographic information
system data (GIS) of the location of the seismograph equipment, its distance from the
detonation of the explosives, the date of the
recording, and the time of the recording;
3. Name of the individual responsible
for operation of the seismograph equipment
and performing an analysis of each recording;
and
4. Type of seismograph instrument, its
sensitivity and calibration signal, or certification date of the last calibration.
(G) Any person using explosives in the
state of Missouri in which monitoring with a
seismograph is required shall limit acoustic
values from blasting to one hundred thirtythree decibels (133 dB) using a two hertz (2
Hz) flat response measuring system based on
the Office of Surface Mining regulation 30
CFR 816.67(b)(1)(i).
(H) Any person using explosives in the
state of Missouri in which monitoring with a
seismograph is required shall comply with
ground vibration limits based on the U.S.
Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations
8507, Appendix B:
(I) In lieu of the ground vibration limit
established above, the person using explosives may submit a written request to the
division to use an alternate compliance
method. Such written request shall be supported by sufficient technical information,
which may include, but not be limited to,
documented approval of such method by
other federal, state, or local political subdivisions which regulate the use of explosives.
Upon submittal by the person using explosives of a request to use an alternate compliance method, the State Blasting Safety Board
shall issue a written determination as to
whether the technical information submitted
provides sufficient justification for the alternate method to be used as a method of
demonstrating compliance with the provisions of this section.
(J) A record of use of explosives shall be
made and retained for at least three (3) years.
1. Licensed blasters shall create the
record required in this section and provide
such record to the person using explosives,
who shall be responsible for maintaining
records required in this section.
2. The record shall be completed on a
form provided or approved by the division
and completed by the end of the business day
following the day in which the explosives
were detonated.
3. Such records shall be made available
to the division, upon request, within twenty
four (24) hours of the request.
4. Each record shall include the—
A. Name of the person using the
explosives;
B. Location, geographic information
system data (GIS), date, and time of the detonation;
C. Name of the licensed blaster
responsible for use of the explosives;
D. Type of material blasted;
E. Number of bore holes, burden, and
spacing;
F. Diameter and depth of bore holes;
G. Type of explosives used;
H. Weight of explosives used per bore
hole and total weight of explosives used;
I. Maximum weight of explosives detonated within any eight- (8-) millisecond
period;
J. Maximum number of bore holes or
decks detonated within any eight- (8-) millisecond period;
K. Initiation system, including number of circuits and the timer interval, if a
sequential timer is used;
L. Type and length of stemming;
M. Type of detonator and delay periods used, in milliseconds;
N. Sketch of delay pattern, including
decking;
O. Distance and scaled distance to the
nearest uncontrolled structure; and
P. Location of the nearest uncontrolled structure, using the best available
information.
5. If the type of blasting being recorded
by a seismograph does not involve bore
holes, then the record required in paragraph
(9)(J)4. shall contain the—
A. Name of the person using the
explosives;
B. Location, geographic information
system data (GIS), date, and time of the detonation;
C. Name of the licensed blaster
responsible for use of the explosives;
D. Type of material blasted;
E. Type of explosives used;
F. Weight of explosives used per shot
and total weight of explosives used;
G. Maximum weight of explosives
detonated within any eight- (8-) millisecond
period;
H. Initiation system, including number of circuits and the timer interval, if a
sequential timer is used;
I. Type of detonator and delay periods
used, in milliseconds;
J. Sketch of delay pattern;
K. Distance and scaled distance, if
required under the provisions of section
319.309, RSMo, to the nearest uncontrolled
structure; and
L. Location of the nearest uncontrolled structure, using the best available
information.
(10) Violations and Penalties.
(A) The division shall follow the procedure
outlined below for violations of any of the
provisions of section (9):
1. A written notification of violation
will be issued to a licensed blaster and the
explosive user for which the blaster is
employed for a violation of a provision of section (9).
A. Any notice of violation of any provision of sections 319.300 to 319.345, RSMo
shall be in writing and shall state the section
or sections violated and the circumstance of
the violation, including date, place, person
involved, and the act or omission constituting
the violation.
B. The notice shall also inform the
person receiving the notice of the right to
request a hearing before the State Blasting
Safety Board for any violation, except for the
violation of failure to hold a blasting license
as required by section 319.306, RSMo for
which no appeal may be made.
2. The state fire marshal shall consider
the seriousness of each violation and implement the action considered appropriate.
(B) A blaster’s license issued under the
provisions of this section may be suspended
or revoked by the division upon substantial
proof that the individual holding the license
has—
1. Knowingly failed to monitor the use
of explosives as provided in section 319.309,
RSMo;
2. Negligently or habitually exceeded
the limits established under section 319.312,
RSMo;
3. Knowingly or habitually failed to create a record of blasts as required by section
319.315, RSMo;
4. Had a change in material fact relating
to their qualifications for holding a blaster’s
license as required by these rules;
5. Failed to advise the division of any
change of material fact relating to his or her
qualifications for holding a blaster’s license;
or
6. Knowingly made a material misrepresentation of any information by any means of
false pretense, deception, fraud, misrepresentation, or cheating for the purpose of obtaining training or otherwise meeting the qualifications of obtaining a license.
(C) The division shall provide any notice
of suspension or revocation in writing, sent
by certified mail to the last known address of
the holder of the license.
1. The notice may also be verbal, but
this does not eliminate the requirement for
written notice.
2. Upon receipt of a verbal or written
notice of suspension or revocation from the
division, the individual holding the license
shall immediately surrender all copies of the
license to a representative of the division and
shall immediately cease all blasting activity.
(D) The individual holding the license may
appeal any suspension or revocation to the
State Blasting Safety Board established under
section 319.324, RSMo within forty-five (45)
days of the date written notice was received.
1. The division shall immediately notify
the chairman of the board that an appeal has
been received and a hearing before the board
shall be held.
2. The board shall consider and make a
decision on any appeal received by the division within thirty (30) days of the date the
appeal is received by the division.
3. The board shall make a decision on
the appeal by majority vote of the board and
shall immediately notify the licensee of its
decision in writing.
4. The written statement of the board’s
decision shall be prepared by the division or
its designee and shall be approved by the
9
chairman of the board.
5. The approved statement of the board’s
decision shall be sent by certified mail to the
last known address of the holder of the
license.
AUTHORITY: section 319.306, RSMo 2016.*
Emergency rule filed April 1, 2008, effective
July 1, 2008, expired Jan. 1, 2009. Original
rule filed April 2, 2008, effective Jan. 1,
2009. Amended: Filed Oct. 16, 2019, effective April 30, 2020. **
*Original authority: 319.306, RSMo 2007, amended 2010.
**Pursuant to Executive Order 21-09, 11 CSR 40-7.010, subsection
(3)(G) was suspended from April 16, 2020 through December 31,
2021.