Explosives safety alert no. 31 | 05 June 2009 | Version 1
Unplanned initiation of electronic detonators
Investigations are ongoing and further information may be published as it becomes available. The information in this publication is what is known at the time of writing.
We issue Safety Notices to draw attention to the occurrence of a serious incident, raise awareness of risks, and prompt assessment of your existing controls.
This alert is to advise persons using electronic detonator systems to rigorously apply basic safety precautions when initiating blasts.
Scope
This alert provides important safety information for all persons using electronic detonators.
Background
Recently an electronic detonator initiated after the shot was connected to the firing control unit and communication with the electronic detonators had commenced.
The investigation of this unplanned firing was unable to identify the exact cause. The findings of the investigation for this incident indicate that the likelihood of such an event is very low.
Electronic detonation is an emerging technology which is steadily replacing signal tube detonators as the initiation system for explosives blasts.
Issues
Electronic detonators function by the use of an electrical power source.
Personnel must not be in an exclusion zone during the pre-firing programming and testing of the detonator system. All persons must be outside the exclusion zone prior to connecting to an electrical firing source.
It is important that incidents, including such events as unplanned firings, are reported to ensure that a more exact understanding of reliability can be developed.
Recommendations
All persons using electronic detonators should immediately review their blasting procedures to ensure that the blast exclusion zone prior to the connection of electronic detonators to a power source is a mandatory requirement.
All persons using electronic detonators should ensure that their blast procedures address potential hazards associated with extraneous electricity.
The safety management systems, including blasting procedures, must be checked to ascertain that the systems are being followed.
All sites using electronic detonators should undertake physical checks to ensure that all persons are outside the exclusion zone prior to the connection of electronic detonators to a power source.
Users of electronic detonation systems are to report instances of abnormal operation, such as unplanned firings, to the Explosives Inspectorate.
Further Information
More safety alerts, information bulletins and reports are available on the Inspectorate's website.
Contact: Manager, Explosives Licensing , +61 7 3199 8057 explosives@dnrm.qld.gov.au
Issued by Queensland Department of Mines and Energy
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