User's Manual

22
RIOTRONIC X+
User Manual
inspection of any critical areas is required, such as unstable wall conditions and
misfires, and where physical barriers need to be established after the blast.
In some cases, additional risk assessments will be required for specific high risk processes,
such as blasting in elevated temperature and/or reactive ground areas, blasting in areas with
a known history of generating post-blast fume, working in areas with cracked and/or
unstable ground conditions, working under steep walls or slopes, or working in areas with
noxious gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, either on the bench or during
re-entry after the blast. Consideration should also be given to any old underground workings
in the vicinity.
While the above risk assessment stages are not all directly associated with on-bench blasting
activities, the various hazards and controls must be understood by personnel working on-
bench to ensure that potential consequences are understood for the complete process.
Operational or specific risk assessments of on-bench activities are best carried out at the
work area, prior to the commencement of work (e.g. SLAM, Take5, JSA, etc.). When a formal
risk assessment is carried out it must be approved in accordance with the relevant safety
management systems and accepted and signed by all of the relevant parties involved in that
blasting process prior to work being undertaken. (source: Code of Practice ON-BENCH
PRACTICES FOR OPEN CUT MINES AND QUARRIES Edition 3 June 2019).
3.2.4. Priming
Traditionally, priming was done in two steps according to the following procedure: punching
the detonator into an explosive cartridge or putting it in a booster and downloading the
primer.
Special care must be taken to avoid any risk of damaging or breaking the cable. If any hole is
cased with a PVC pipe, be aware of sharp edges that could damage the cables.
The following are general recommendations regarding priming. They do not take precedence
over specific Work Procedures.
3.2.5. Reels
The bracket system is used to hold the connector during the priming. Leave the cables from
the holes rather free, at least 1 m, avoiding strain that can generate breakages and, therefore,
failures (Figure 18).