Storage Within Magazines

Storage Within Magazines

• Packages of explosives shall be laid flat with topside up.
• Black powder when stored in magazines with other explosives shall be stored separately.
• Black powder stored in kegs shall be stored on ends, bungs down, or on side, seams down.
• Corresponding grades and brands shall be stored together in such a manner that brands and grade marks show.
• All stocks shall be stored so as to be easily counted and checked. Packages of explosives shall be piled in a stable manner.
• When any kind of explosive is removed from a magazine for use, the oldest explosive of that particular kind shall always be taken first.

Packing and Repacking Explosives

• Packages of explosives shall not be unpacked or repacked in a magazine nor within 50 feet of a magazine or in close proximity to other explosives.
• Tools used for opening packages of explosives shall be constructed of nonsparking materials, except that metal slitters may be used for opening fiberboard boxes.
• A wood wedge and a fiber, rubber, or wood mallet shall be used for opening or closing wood packages of explosives.
• Opened packages of explosives shall be securely closed before being returned to a magazine.

Use of Magazines

Magazines shall not be used for the storage of any metal tools nor any commodity except explosives, but this restriction shall not apply to the storage of blasting agents and blasting supplies.

Housekeeping

• Magazine floors shall be regularly swept, kept clean, dry, free of grit, paper, empty used packages, and rubbish.
• Brooms and other cleaning utensils shall not have any spark-producing metal parts.
• Sweepings from floors of magazines shall be properly disposed of.
• Magazine floors stained with nitroglycerin shall be cleaned according to instructions by the manufacturer.

Disposal of Explosives

When any explosive has deteriorated to an extent that it is in an unstable or dangerous condition, or if nitroglycerin leaks from any explosives, then the person in possession of such explosive shall immediately proceed to destroy such explosive in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer. Only experienced persons shall be allowed to do the work of destroying explosives.

Repairs

When magazines need inside repairs, all explosives shall be removed, and the floors cleaned.

In making outside repairs, if there is a possibility of causing sparks or fire, the explosives shall be removed from the magazine.

Explosives removed from a magazine under repair shall either be placed in another magazine or placed a safe distance from the magazine where they shall be properly guarded and protected until repairs have been completed, when they shall be returned to the magazine.

Smoking

Smoking, matches, open flames, spark-producing devices, and firearms (except firearms carried by guards) shall not be permitted inside of or within 50 feet of magazines. The land surrounding a magazine shall be kept clear of all combustible materials for a distance of at least 25 feet. Combustible materials shall not be stored within 50 feet of magazines.

Training

Magazines shall be in the charge of a competent person at all times. This person shall be held responsible for the enforcement of all safety precautions.

Blasting Misfires

Explosives recovered from blasting misfires shall be placed in a separate magazine until competent personnel has determined from the manufacturer the method of disposal. Caps recovered from blasting misfires shall not be reused. Such explosives and caps shall then be disposed of in the manner recommended by the manufacturer.

Storage of Blasting Agents and Supplies

Blasting agents, excluding water gels, shall be transported, stored, and used in the same manner as explosives, except as otherwise specified in §1910.109(g)(5)(i) – (vii). Water gels are covered in §1910.109(h).