Blasting Guidance Manual

This 1987 manual was developed to give guidance to regulatory authorities, the public and industry on the use of explosives and the examination and certification of blasters. The manual deals particularly with the negative effects of blasting, and applies to all blasting, regardless of total weight of explosives detonated. This manual is also intended to make compliance with the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) regulations as easy, practical and beneficial to the operator as possible. The manual is offered as self-training for the control and prediction of blasting effects, and as a partial basis for self-study for OSMRE blaster certification. A study of the adverse affects of blasting is covered in detail including ground vibration, airblast and flyrock, and the methods by which these effects can be monitored and controlled will be described.