Maintenance around Explosive Magazines

DARREN WATSON, Senior Field Officer, WorkSafe Victoria has been undertaking visits to quarries across the state and a common issue that has been identified is general maintenance around explosives magazines.

DUE to changes in processes many quarries no longer use their explosives magazines on a regular basis, as contract blasting contractors are engaged who bring the required explosives to site as needed.

Many quarries still have their explosives magazines licensed with WorkSafe Victoria, and as such the explosives magazines are required to be maintained in accordance with the requirement of the Dangerous Goods Act 1985, the Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2000, and the associated Australian Standards.

Issues that have been identified are outlined as follows:

Mounding of Magazines

Mounding has been found that has been degraded by weather, which has lead to compromised mounding heights and has exposed stones and rock which may have been used for the sub-base of the mounding construction.

Earth mounds around magazines should stand at least 300mm above the height of the explosives stored in that magazine, and should be substantially free from stones.

General Fire Precautions

There have been many instances where magazines have been found that are surrounded by combustible materials, such as, grasses, small tree branches, and used packaging materials.

Used explosives packaging must be disposed of in correct and timely manner, and extraneous combustible materials must be kept clear from explosives magazines to a distance of 6 metres.

Markings on Explosives Magazines

Signage has been found on explosive magazines that are faded, incorrect, and not located in the correct position in the magazine area. The name and address of the licence holder must be kept up to date, and be located at a conspicuous point on the outside of the magazine.

Signs need to be replaced when they become faded. Signage must be in red letters on a white background with the words “Explosives Detonators” or “Explosives” as appropriate. A Class label not less than 250mm square must be displayed which show the Hazard Division or the determined collective Hazard Division if more than one Hazard Division of explosives is stored. If a security fence is provided the Class Label must be located at the gate of the fence facing out.

Provision and maintenance of Safety Equipment

Fire extinguishers have been found that have not been tested in accordance with the required Australian Standards, signage for the fi re extinguishers have been faded or missing.

Fire extinguishers must be of the appropriate capacity and type 2A 60B(E) Dry Chemical or 2A 20B Water or Foam. Extinguishers in magazine areas must be correctly maintained, and signed. Fire extinguishers should be mounted, and not located on the ground.

Security Fencing

Fencing has been observed that is not correctly constructed, is damaged, and is not adequately secured.

Fencing where required must be 2 metres high and be provided with three rows of barbed wire. Fencing may be provided to form a top for the magazine compound.

Lightning protection

There have been identified instances where lighting protection provided has been inadequate or missing.

Lightning protection must be provided and maintained in accordance with the requirements of AS 1768.

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