Safety Regulations and Hazard Control for Drilling and Blasting in Pipeline Construction

This document outlines the safety regulations and hazard control measures for drilling and blasting operations during pipeline construction projects in British Columbia, Canada. It addresses worker safety, environmental protection, and pipeline integrity, drawing from the British Columbia Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.

General Requirements

Blasting operations in British Columbia are governed by Part 21 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, which covers various aspects from general requirements to specialized blasting operations and close proximity blasting. It is crucial to adhere to these regulations to ensure safety during pipeline construction projects. [1]

Worker Safety

Certification and Supervision

Blasters must be certified as per Division 2 of Part 21 of the regulations. Proper supervision of workers is also required, especially in underground workings, to ensure adherence to safety protocols. [1]

Handling and Use of Explosives

Workers must handle explosives carefully to prevent accidents. Smoking and open flame ignition sources are prohibited within 15 m (50 ft) of where explosives are stored, handled, or in loaded holes, unless the blaster of record gives consent. Explosives must not be carried in clothing. Loading tools must be made of wood, plastic, or other non-sparking material. [5] [5] [7] [7]

Drilling Safety

Rock drills must be equipped with a water jet or other device to suppress rock dust, and hose connections under pressure must have adequate restraining devices. Workers must not proceed beyond the front of the drill controls of a drill jumbo if the drills are in operation, unless the equipment is specifically designed and certified for that purpose. A driller must ensure that holes are not drilled within 15 cm (6 in) of any part of a bootleg. Drilling is prohibited within 6 m (20 ft) of any hole containing explosives, unless prior written permission has been obtained from the Board. [2] [2] [2] [5]

Electrical Storms

All blasting activity must be suspended and the danger area cleared and guarded if there is any sign of thunder or lightning storm activity and explosives are present at the blast site. [3]

Misfire Procedures

Excavation of blast rock must be carried out with caution by a trained and competent person in the recognition of misfires. When drilling is necessary to expose a misfire, the blaster must accurately determine the angle of the hole that contains the misfire, direct the angle and depth of the hole being drilled, and ensure that the hole being drilled is at least 60 cm (2 ft) from any part of the misfire. Relighting a safety fuse assembly is prohibited. [4] [4] [4]

Underground Workings

In underground workings, probe holes must be drilled ahead to identify hazards such as excessive water or gas. After a blast, workers must not return to the blast site until a minimum of 10 minutes has elapsed, and tests have confirmed safe atmospheric conditions. [12] [11]

Environmental Protection

Underwater Blasting

Only explosives and blasting accessories recommended by the manufacturer for underwater blasting may be used. Precautions must be taken to prevent damage to structures in the danger area. [4] [4]

Dust and Fume Control

Dust control measures must be implemented, especially during drilling and shotcreting operations in underground workings. The fumes of the detonated product must not affect workers or other persons at or near the blast site. [8] [12]

Disposal of Explosives

Explosives must not be abandoned and must be placed in suitable storage or disposed of in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. [7]

Pipeline Integrity

Close Proximity Blasting

When blasting near pipelines, extra precautions are necessary to prevent damage. A written plan must be developed by a blasting professional with experience in urban environments, providing for effective monitoring of ground vibration and air overpressure. The plan must specify limits for peak particle velocity, frequency response, and air overpressure that are not to be exceeded. All material to be blasted must be covered by blasting mats in good working condition. [9] [8]

Notification

The employer must notify occupants of proximate structures in writing at least 48 hours before blasting begins, including schools, hospitals, and other potentially occupied structures. The notice must include details of the work, timing, duration, blasting signals, and contact information. [9] [9]

General Safety Practices

Warning Signals

Audible warning signals must be used before and after the blast. Twelve short whistle signals must be sounded at one-second intervals before the blast, followed by a two-minute pause. After the blast, one prolonged whistle signal of at least 5 seconds duration must be sounded to signify that it is safe to return to the blast site. The warning procedure and blasting signals must be posted conspicuously at each blasting operation. [14] [14]

Post-Blast Inspection

After a blast, the blaster of record must examine the blast site for misfires and other hazards before allowing anyone to enter. The 'all clear' signal must be sounded before work can proceed. [14]

Transportation of Explosives

A vehicle transporting explosives must be equipped with at least 2 fire extinguishers with a rating of at least 4-A:40-B:C. The operator of a vehicle transporting explosives must reduce speed and establish that the crossing can be made in safety before crossing a railroad track protected by an automatic signal device. Smoking is prohibited within 25 m (80 ft) of the well bore and within 25 m (80 ft) of any well, production facility or gas processing plant. [10] [10] [13]

Electrical Safety

Precautions must be taken to prevent premature initiation of electric detonators from sources of electricity and static electricity. Electric blasting circuits must be tested before firing, and minimum distances from radio frequency transmitters must be maintained. [6] [6] [15] [15]

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