OSHA General Industry Standards (29 CFR Part 1910) 1910.109: 1910.109 Explosives and blasting agents

Applies to the manufacture, keeping, storage, sale, transportation and use of explosives, blasting agents and pyrotechnics, but not the sale and public display of fireworks or U.S. Pharmacopeia forms; manufacture of explosives and pyrotechnics must also meet 1910.119. No one may store, handle or transport explosives or blasting agents in a way that creates an undue hazard to life. Storage (c): Class A, B and C explosives and special industrial explosives are kept in magazines; detonators and primed cartridges are not stored with other explosives. Class I magazines are required above 50 pounds and are located per the American Table of Distances (Table H-21); Class II magazines (50 pounds or less) may sit in warehouses and stores within 10 feet of a grade-level entrance, and temporary Class II magazines at blast sites stay 150 feet from work (50 feet if 25 pounds or less). Magazines are bullet, weather and fire resistant as specified, posted "Explosives, Keep Off", heated only by hot water or low pressure steam with controls keeping temperature at or below 130 F and switchgear at least 25 feet away; Class II magazines are painted red with 3-inch "Explosives, Keep Fire Away" lettering. Inside magazines: packages flat and stable, oldest used first, no unpacking within 50 feet, nonsparking tools, no metal tools or other goods, floors swept, deteriorated explosives destroyed per the manufacturer by experienced persons, explosives removed for repairs, no smoking, flames or firearms within 50 feet, 25 feet cleared of combustibles, a competent person in charge, and misfire recoveries kept in a separate magazine. Small quantities of small arms ammunition, primers under 750,000 and smokeless propellant under 750 pounds are excluded from (c). Transportation (d): no smoking, matches or firearms near the vehicle; fire and police notified of transfers and breakdowns; caps segregated per DOT; sound, covered vehicles with nonsparking floors; placards; two extinguishers of at least 10-BC near the driver, examined periodically; pre-trip inspection of wiring, fuel, brakes, lights and tires; knowledgeable drivers; no parking near workplaces; Class A or B loads always attended; delivery only to authorized persons and magazines. Use (e): no smoking or intoxicated handlers; original containers or Class II magazines to carry explosives; blasting mats in congested areas; daylight blasting; utilities notified at least 24 hours ahead with written confirmation; electric storms stop blasting; radio transmitter warning signs within 350 feet; wood tamping rods, no tamping primed cartridges; only the next round loaded; old butts checked; primers made at least 50 feet from magazines; misfires left 1 hour (30 minutes for electric caps); only the person making connections fires; a loud warning signal before firing. Rail, terminals and piers (f): DOT compliance, car placards, no transfer between sunset and sunrise. Blasting agents (g): handled like explosives unless stated; mixing plants of noncombustible construction, No. 8 cap sensitivity tests after formulation changes, fuel flashpoint at least 125 F, no crude or crankcase oil, peroxides or chlorates, Class II Division 2 electrical, 50-foot no-smoking zone, washing before welding; bulk trucks with trained operators and a spotter; bins and warehouses per Table H-22. Water gels (h) classed by composition, with daily equipment inspection. Ammonium nitrate storage (i) of 1,000 pounds or more: one-story buildings, no confined drains, product not accepted above 130 F, piles at most 20 feet high and wide and 50 feet long (unless noncombustible or sprinklered) and 36 inches below the roof, 30 inches from walls, 3-foot aisles, separation from contaminants by 1-hour walls or 30 feet, no more than 2,500 tons bagged without sprinklers. Small arms ammunition, primers and smokeless propellants (j) have container, cabinet (400 pounds per cabinet, 750 pounds total) and pile limits.