# Title 69 — Public Service Commission

## Article 69-05.2 — Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Operations

## Chapter 69-05.2-31 — Training, Examination, and Certification of Blasters

### § 69-05.2-31-01. Training of blasters.

1. Persons seeking to become certified as blasters shall receive training including the technical
aspects of blasting operations and state and federal laws governing the storage,
transportation, and use of explosives. Coursework must provide training in and discuss
practical applications of:
a. Explosives, including:
(1) Selection of the type of explosives to be used.
(2) Determination of the properties of explosives which will produce desired results at
an acceptable level of risk.
(3) Handling, transportation, and storage.
b. Blast designs, including:
(1) Geological and topographic considerations.
(2) Design of a blasthole, with critical dimensions.
(3) Pattern design, field layout, and timing of blastholes.
(4) Field applications.
c. Loading blastholes, including priming and boostering.
d. Initiation systems and blasting machines.
e. Blasting vibrations, airblast, and flyrock, including:
(1) Monitoring techniques.
(2) Methods to control adverse effects.
f. Secondary blasting applications.
g. Current state and federal laws and rules applicable to the use of explosives.
h. Blast records.
i. Schedules.
j. Preblasting surveys, including:
(1) Availability.
(2) Coverage.

(3) Use of in-blast design.
k. Blast-plan requirements.
l. Certification and training.
m. Signs, warning signals, and site control.
n. Unpredictable hazards, including:
(1) Lightning.
(2) Stray currents.
(3) Radio waves.
(4) Misfires.
2. Persons who are not certified and who are assigned to a blasting crew or assist in the use of
explosives shall receive direction and on-the-job training from a blaster.
3. Training courses must be given by competent, experienced persons at a frequency not to
exceed one every three months. Courses developed and taught by coal mining industry
personnel may be approved by the commission for training persons seeking to become
certified blasters.
History: Effective April 1, 1985; amended effective May 1, 1990.
General Authority: NDCC 38-14.1-03
Law Implemented: NDCC 38-14.1-24
### § 69-05.2-31-02. Examination of blasters.

The commission will ensure that candidates for blaster certification are examined by reviewing and
verifying:
1. The competence of persons directly responsible for the use of explosives in surface coal
mining operations through a written examination in technical aspects of blasting and state and
federal laws and rules governing the storage, use, and transportation of explosives including
the topics set forth in subsection 1 of section 69-05.2-31-01; and
2. The practical field experience of the candidates as necessary to qualify a person to accept the
responsibility for blasting operations in surface coal mining operations. Such experience must
demonstrate that the candidate possesses practical knowledge of blasting techniques,
understands the hazards involved in the use of explosives, and otherwise has exhibited a
pattern of conduct consistent with the acceptance of responsibility for blasting operations.
History: Effective April 1, 1985; amended effective May 1, 1990.
General Authority: NDCC 38-14.1-03
Law Implemented: NDCC 38-14.1-24
### § 69-05.2-31-03. Certification of blasters.

1. Candidates for blaster certification examined and found satisfactory will be certified for a
period of three years.
2. Recertification is authorized following either reexamination or a demonstration of satisfactory
participation in a blaster-related refresher course during the term of the certification, except

that a candidate whose certificate has been suspended or revoked may only be recertified
following reexamination.
3. No blaster may be recertified two consecutive times unless, upon the second application, the
applicant successfully passes the examination required in section 69-05.2-31-02.
4. Certified blasters shall take every reasonable precaution to protect their certificates from loss,
theft, or unauthorized duplication. Any such occurrence must be reported immediately to the
commission.
5. The conditions for maintaining certification include:
a. Presentation of the blaster's certificate to the commission or its authorized representative
upon request.
b. Blaster's certificates may not be assigned or transferred.
c. Blasters may not delegate their responsibility to any individual who is not a certified
blaster.
History: Effective April 1, 1985; amended effective May 1, 1990.
General Authority: NDCC 38-14.1-03
Law Implemented: NDCC 38-14.1-24
### § 69-05.2-31-04. Training, examination, and certification of blasters - Enforcement.

1. The commission may, and upon a finding of willful misconduct, will suspend or revoke the
certification of a blaster during the term of the certification or take any other necessary action
for any of the following reasons:
a. Noncompliance with any order of the commission.
b. Unlawful use in the work place of, or current addiction to, alcohol, narcotics, or other
dangerous drugs.
c. Violation of any provision of the state or federal explosives laws or rules.
d. Providing false information or a misrepresentation to obtain certification.
2. Notice and opportunity for hearing must be given prior to the suspension or revocation unless
it is not practicable, in which case notice and hearing must be provided as soon as practicable
after the suspension, revocation, or other adverse action.
3. Upon notice of a revocation, the blaster shall immediately surrender the revoked certificate to
the commission.
History: Effective April 1, 1985; amended effective May 1, 1990.
General Authority: NDCC 38-14.1-03
Law Implemented: NDCC 38-14.1-24
