EXPLOSIVES SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION ADDRESSED IN ANSI STANDARD, AMERICAN SOCIETY OF SAFETY ENGINEERS ANNOUNCE

DES PLAINES, IL (October 19, 2005) – Providing essential construction guidelines for the use and care of commercial explosives, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) announced the availability of the newly-reaffirmed American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A10.7-1998 Commercial Explosives and Blasting Agents - Safety Requirements for Transportation, Storage, Handling and Use .

A10 Chairman Richard F. King, CSP, CRSP, and ASSE member, said, “The ANSI A10.7 standard provides safety professionals, construction owners, managers, and employees with the necessary guidelines for the safe use, storage and handling of explosive devices with the overall goal of preventing injuries and fatalities. The standard does not supersede local, state or federal regulations, but instead serves as a voluntary tool to help professionals in the implementation of new explosives safety procedures and strengthen existing safety practices.”

The A10.7 standard provides guidelines for the qualification of explosive operators, permits and overall use, such as the loading and initiation of explosive charges, electric blasting and safety fuses. The standard also provides explosives classification, the requirements of designated storage areas (magazines) as well as transportation guidelines from vehicle requirements to underground transportation. The standard sets limits for airblasting, ground vibrations, and flyrock (rocks propelled through the air). The appendix provides recommendations for handling ammonium nitrate, a sample job site survey and a data table for equating the proper distance of stored explosive materials.

ASSE serves as secretariat of the A10 Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) on Safety Requirements for Construction and Demolition Operations, which develops and revises over 40 active standards and projects to protect workers and the public. To purchase a copy of the A10.7 standard Commercial Explosives and Blasting Agents - Safety Requirements for Transportation, Storage, Handling and Use contact ASSE Customer Service at 847-699-2929 or visit www.asse.org .

Formed in 1911, the Des Plaines, IL-based ASSE is the oldest and largest professional safety organization and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Its 30,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor and education.