A. Every misfire shall be reported promptly to the mine foreman, and no other work shall be performed in the blasting area until the hazard has been corrected. A waiting period of at least 15 minutes is required before anyone is allowed to any misfired hole. If explosives are suspected of burning in a hole, every person affected shall move to a safe location for one hour or until the danger has passed, whichever time is longer. When such failure involves an electronic detonator, the blasting cable shall be disconnected from the source of power and the battery ends short-circuited before any electrical connection is examined.
B. Explosives shall be removed by (i) firing a separate charge at least two feet away from, and parallel to, the misfired charge; (ii) washing the stemming and the charge from the borehole with water; or (iii) inserting and firing a new primer after the stemming has been washed out.
C. A careful search of the blasting area and, if necessary, of the coal after it reaches the tipple shall be made after blasting a misfired hole to recover any undetonated explosive.
D. The handling of a misfired shot shall occur under the direct supervision of the foreman or an authorized person designated by him.
Code 1950, § 45-53.7; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-50; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.285; 1999, c. 256; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy
Chapter 9 - Requirements Applicable to Surface Coal Mines
§ 45.2-901. Regulations governing conditions and practices at surface coal mines
§ 45.2-902. Standards for regulations
§ 45.2-903. Safety examinations
§ 45.2-904. Records of examinations
§ 45.2-905. Areas with safety or health hazards; duties of surface mine foreman
§ 45.2-906. Personal protection devices and practices
§ 45.2-909. First aid equipment
§ 45.2-910. First aid training
§ 45.2-911. Attention to injured persons
§ 45.2-913. Duties in case of fire
§ 45.2-915. Haulage and mobile equipment; operating condition
§ 45.2-916. Equipment operation
§ 45.2-917. Safety measures on equipment
§ 45.2-918. Transportation of personnel
§ 45.2-920. Shop and other equipment
§ 45.2-922. Stairways, platforms, runways, and floor openings
§ 45.2-923. Loading and haulage work area requirements
§ 45.2-924. Equipment operation
§ 45.2-925. Control of dust and combustible material
§ 45.2-929. Circuit breakers and switches
§ 45.2-930. Electrical trailing cables
§ 45.2-931. Surface storage of explosives and detonators
§ 45.2-933. Minimum blasting practices
§ 45.2-935. Inspection of electric equipment and wiring; checking and testing methane monitors
§ 45.2-936. Highwall inspections
§ 45.2-937. Penetration of underground mines; testing
§ 45.2-938. Safety precautions
§ 45.2-939. Surface coal mining; distance from wells; requirements