Introduction: An explosive is a substance
or a mixture of substances, when initiated suitably results in violent release
of energy in the form of a shock wave, accompanied by extremely rapid conversion
of the explosive into a large volume of gases at high temperature and pressure.
Mishandling of explosives by subjecting them to undue spark, flame, shock,
impact, friction and static charge may also lead to their initiation resulting
in accident. Every individual associated with explosives has to take due care,
while handling explosives and adhere to the provisions and regulations
stipulated under Explosives Rules, 2008, in the interest of personal and public
safety. Safe Inspection of
Explosives Magazines: (1) The following persons are
authorized to carry out inspection, under Rule 128 of Explosives Rules, 2008. Officer Area of Jurisdiction The Chief Controller and Controller of Explosives All parts of India All District Magistrates Their respective jurisdiction All Executive Magistrates Subordinate to the
District Magistrate Their respective jurisdiction All Commissioners of Police and Police Officers
of rank not below that of a Sub-Inspector of Police Their respective jurisdiction The Director General of Mines or Officers
subordinate to him Their respective jurisdiction (2) Persons entering the
magazine should not carry Cellular Phones, Pagers, Wireless Instruments,
Cigarettes, Matches, Lighters, Knives, other Articles made of Iron/Steel, Substances
of Flammable Nature liable to spontaneous ignition or to cause/communicate
fire/explosion such as Acids, Petroleum, Calcium Carbide & Compressed
Gases. (3) Storage/existence of the
above mentioned items and smoking should also be avoided within the 15 mts of
radius of Explosives Magazine. (4) While entering into the
magazine, the person should dip his overshoes/feet in water provided in the
cemented trough located at the entrance of the magazine to avoid carrying
sand/grid/dust inside the magazine. (5) Use of Boots/Shoes with
exposed nails or shod at the base should be strictly avoided inside the
magazine. (6) Numbers of person entering
into the magazine should not exceed 2 Nos. during inspection. (7) Prior to inspection,
magazine shall be well ventilated by opening the windows and doors for at least
10 min. (8) Operation/inspection of
magazines should be avoided, whenever a thunderstorm appears to be imminent in
the vicinity of a magazine. On such occasion, every person engaged in such
magazine should be withdrawn to a safe distance and such magazine should be
kept closed & locked until the thunderstorm has ceased. (9) Person who has not
completed the age of 18 years, person in a state of intoxication and person who
is of unsound mind should not be taken inside the magazine. (10) Routine inspections of
Explosives Magazines should be carried out only between the hours of sunset and
sunrise. (11) In case of opening
explosives boxes, the opening tool must be of wood, brass, copper or bronze,
since use of tools made of iron is prohibited. (12) During inspection, the
packages containing the explosives should not be thrown or dropped down or
rolled or pulled along the ground or floor but shall be passed from hand to
hand carefully. (13) Where a package is to be
slung, due precaution should be taken to slung it in such a manner as
effectively to prevent the possibility of a fall. (14) Packages containing
explosives should not be allowed to remain in the sun or exposed to excessive
heat, during inspection. (15) During physical examination
of explosives: Avoid use of Wristwatch and
Rings. Use non-synthetic dress materials; i.e., ideally cotton. Be on bare foot
or with boot made up of conducting rubber. (16) The explosives products
namely: Gunpowder;
Slurry/Emulsion Explosives Cartridges; Boosters, Safety Fuse and Detonating
Cord shall be stored together in one room of the magazine. (17) Detonators should never be
stored along with the above-mentioned explosives. Detonators shall be stored in
a separate room of the same magazine separated by an air gap of 1.5 mt followed
by concrete/brick wall of thickness not less than 60 cm. Safe Inspection of
Explosives Vans: (1) The explosives van should
be stationed in a non-congested location during inspection, where the public
safety is not endangered. (2) When a convoy of two or more
vans carrying explosives is inspected, they should not be stationed together
for inspection. (3) When an explosives van
containing explosives need to be parked over night due to the reasons beyond
control, the same to be communicated by the Driver to the nearest police
station and the premises in which the van is parked: Should not have any source
of open flame or any substance or article likely to cause explosion or fire.
Should be away from any habitation or any godown containing articles of a
flammable nature or other hazardous goods. (4) If any fire occurs on a
vehicle containing explosives, all other traffic should be stopped at least 300
meters from the vehicle and that all persons in the vicinity should be warned
of the danger. (5) A van transporting explosives
is involved in an accident, fire or any other occurrence, which causes a
significant delay in the delivery of explosives or damage to the vehicle or
explosives The laws relating to road
accidents shall be complied with the JtCCE/DyCCE/CE in whose jurisdiction the
accident has taken place shall be intimated giving the full details of
explosives carried and accidentExplosives shall be kept under safe storage and
custody till a examination by the JtCCE/DyCCE/CE if required, and then
transported to the destination or place designated by the JtCCE/DyCCE/CE. (6) In case of a breakdown of
van carrying explosives, where major repairs are required, prevent such repairs
should be made until the explosives are transferred to another van or are
removed from the vehicle and stored under proper security at a safe distance
from the highway and at least 300 meters from any inhabited premises, under
intimation to the JtCCE/DyCCE/CE in whose jurisdiction the incident has taken
place. (7) Use of Boots/Shoes with
exposed nails or shod at the base should be strictly avoided inside the
explosives van. (8) Persons inspecting vans
carrying explosives should not carry Cellular Phones, Pagers, Wireless
Instruments, Cigarettes, Matches, Lighters, Knives, other Articles made of
Iron/Steel, Substances of Flammable Nature liable to spontaneous ignition or to
cause/communicate fire/explosion such as acids, Petroleum, Calcium Carbide
& Compressed Gases. (9) During physical examination
of explosives carried in a van: Avoid use of Wristwatch and
Rings. Use non-synthetic dress materials; i.e., ideally cotton. Be on bare foot
or with boot made up of conducting rubber. (10) In case of handling of
explosives from a van, no bale hooks or other metal tools should be used for
the loading, unloading or handling of packages containing explosives. On such
events, the loading/unloading/handling of explosives in the explosives van is
commenced, the operation should not be stopped until completed and shall be
completed as expeditiously as possible. (11) Packages containing explosives
should not be allowed to remain in the sun or exposed to excessive heat, during
inspection. (12) Detonators should never be
transported along with the any other explosives. (13) Explosives should not be
transported in any towed vehicle or tow any vehicle transporting explosives.Guidelines
for Safe Inspection of Explosives Magazines/Vans