45.1-161.128 - Underground storage of explosives.
§ 45.1-161.128. Underground storage of explosives.
A. When supplies of explosives and detonators for use in one or more sectionsare stored underground, they shall be kept in section boxes or magazines ofsubstantial construction with no metal exposed on the inside. Such boxes ormagazines shall be located at least twenty-five feet from roadways and powerwires, and in a reasonably dry, well rock-dusted location protected fromfalls of roof. In pitching beds, where it is not possible to comply with thelocation requirement, such boxes shall be placed in niches cut into the solidcoal or rock.
B. When explosives or detonators are stored in the section, they shall bekept in separate boxes or magazines not less than twelve feet apart iffeasible; if kept in the same box or magazine, they shall be separated by atleast a four-inch substantially fastened hardwood partition or theequivalent. Not more than a forty-eight-hour supply of explosives ordetonators shall be stored underground in such boxes or magazines.
C. Explosives and detonators, kept near the face for the use of workmen,shall be kept in separate individual closed containers, in niches in the rib,not less than twelve feet apart, at least fifty feet from the working placeand out of the line of blast. Such containers shall be constructed ofsubstantial material and maintained electrically nonconductive. Where it isphysically impracticable to comply with such distance requirements, theexplosives and detonator containers shall be stored in the safest availableplace not less than fifteen feet from any pipe, rail, conveyor, haulage road,or power line, not less than twelve feet apart, and at least fifty feet fromthe working face and out of line of blast.
D. Explosives and detonators shall be kept in their containers untilimmediately before use at the working faces.
(Code 1950, § 45-53.4; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-47; 1994, c. 28;1996, c. 774.)