Section 300.215  General Requirements

a)         Each person who conducts blasting operations shall comply with all applicable State and federal laws governing the use of explosives.

b)         Each blast shall be designed, executed and detonated by a licensed blaster.  The licensed blaster must be present during each phase of the loading and detonation process.  The licensed blaster may appoint another individual who is deemed competent and meets all requirements to handle explosives in Illinois to detonate a blast.  However, the licensed blaster must be physically present during the detonation process.

c)         All blasting shall be conducted between sunrise and sunset except in emergency situations where unscheduled blasting is required to ensure operator or public safety.  In such cases, the operator shall notify the Department in writing within 72 hours after the unscheduled blast, stating the reasons for the unscheduled blast.  After review of the notification, the Department shall determine whether the unscheduled blast was an emergency and take enforcement action if necessary.

d)         Blasts consisting of explosive materials loaded into blastholes and of which the explosives are unable to be removed and stored in a Department certified explosive storage magazine must be attended by an Individual Explosive License holder, Licensed Blaster, Illinois Surface Coal Certification holder, or persons meeting the exemptions of 62 Ill. Adm. Code 200.90(d)(5) at all times.  No explosives shall be left unattended.

e)         Explosives may be used to clear blockage in crushing operations at any time provided the explosive charge does not exceed one pound, and the operator complies with all other requirements of this Part, except those found in subsection (c).

f)         Vehicles and equipment shall not be driven over explosive material or initiating systems.

g)         Prior to firing a blast:

1)         Ample warning shall be given to allow all persons to be evacuated.

2)         All access routes to the blasting zone shall be guarded or barricaded to prevent the passage of unauthorized persons or vehicles.

h)         When a misfire is suspected, the blasting zone shall be cleared of all personnel for:

1)         a minimum of 30 minutes when using safety fuse, detonating cord and electronic initiation systems; or

2)         a minimum of 15 minutes for electric and shock tube initiation systems.

i)          If explosive material is suspected of burning at the blast site, persons shall be evacuated from the endangered area and shall not return for at least one hour after the burning or suspected burning has stopped.

j)          During the approach and progress of an electrical storm, blasting operations shall be suspended and persons withdrawn from the blasting zone and relocated to a safe location.

k)         The source of energy used to initiate the blast shall not be connected to the blasting circuit until it has been confirmed that the blasting zone is clear, and it is safe to fire the blast.

l)          Blastholes shall not be drilled where there is a danger of intersecting a misfired hole or a hole containing explosives, blasting agents, or detonators.

m)        Operators shall assure that the blast site is free of hazards prior to the arrival of explosives including, but not limited to, highwall safety and ground stability.

n)         Tamping shall not be done directly on a primer.

o)         Work shall not resume in the blast area until a post-blast examination addressing potential blast-related hazards has been conducted by a person with the ability and experience to perform the examination.

p)         Blasting activities incident to underground mining, including all blasts within 50 feet of the development of slopes and shafts, are considered a surface blast.

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 9650, effective June 24, 2024)