(a) During periods of high avalanche danger, areas in avalanche
paths shall not be opened for use until trained personnel have
evaluated conditions and determined whether avalanche control
work is necessary.
(b) When avalanche control work is deemed necessary, areas
in the potential avalanche path shall be closed until the risk
of avalanches has been reduced to a level determined appropriate
by trained personnel.
(c) An avalanche shall not be purposely released until the
avalanche path and potential runout zone are clear of personnel
and vehicles.
(d) Avalanche guards, signs, and/or barricades shall be positioned
at normal entrances to the avalanche path if there is any chance
that personnel and vehicles will enter the danger zone during
intentional release activities.
(e) During very unstable snow conditions, release of one avalanche
may trigger sympathetic releases over a wide area. Avalanche
workers shall consider such possibility and clear the appropriate
areas of personnel and vehicles.
(2) Personnel and equipment.
(a) The avalanche control crew shall be adequately trained
and physically capable for tasks which can be anticipated in
their individual job assignments.
(b) No person shall accept or be given a job assignment which
is beyond the individual's physical ability or training.
(c) On-slope assignments which include potential exposure to
avalanche hazards shall only be conducted by fully qualified
and fully equipped control crew members.
(d) The control crew may be split up into smaller groups (teams)
to work on multiple areas simultaneously provided that each
team consists of at least 2 qualified members.
(e) Each avalanche control crew or team shall have one or more
designated rescue coordinators as is deemed necessary to maintain
communications. Compliance with this requirement may be achieved
by designating control crew teams to serve as each others' rescue
coordinator provided that the teams are reasonably proximate
to each other and do in fact maintain frequent communications.
(f) Each avalanche control crew member shall be equipped for
continuous 2-way communications to the avalanche crew coordinators.
(g) The avalanche crew or teams shall not be assigned to on-slope
areas where they can't maintain communications with their designated
coordinator. This requirement may be met by the use of a relay
person; however, if any team completely loses communications,
they shall return directly to base via the safest route available.
(h) Each person on an avalanche control team shall be equipped
with a shovel and an electronic transceiver before commencing
on-slope control work. The transceiver shall be in the transmit
position whenever personnel are performing on-slope job assignments.
(3) Avalanche rescue plan. All employees with avalanche control
personnel shall have a written avalanche rescue plan. The plan
shall require:
(a) All rescue personnel who will be assigned to on-slope activities
shall:
(i) Be competent skiers;
(ii) Have a current first-aid card;
(iii) Be thoroughly trained in the rescue plan details;
(b) A specific list of required equipment for rescue crew personnel
including:
(i) Probes;
(ii) Belaying rope;
(iii) Shovels;
(iv) 2-way communication radios;
(v) Electronic transceivers;
(c) A list of rescue equipment locations;
(d) Specific rescue procedures to be followed.
WAC
296-52-802 Acceptable warning signs for typical avalanche
control devices (duds).
DANGER
EXPLOSIVES ON THE MOUNTAIN
Unexploded warheads, projectiles, or hand charges used in avalanche
control may be found in target areas or in avalanche runout zones.
UNEXPLODED WARHEADS
WARHEAD MAY BE DISTORTED
FROM IMPACT.
AVALAUNCHER PROJECTILE
RED OPAQUE BODY,
RED TRANSLUCENT FINS.
DYNAMITE HANDCHARGE
COLORED WRAPPING,
WILL USUALLY HAVE FUSE.
If you find an unexploded (dud) charge, do the following:
1. Don’t disturb or touch!
2. Mark the location within 5 to 10 feet.
3. Immediately report the location.
WAC
296-52-803 Storage, makeup and use of explosives for avalanche
control blasting.
(1) General.
(a) The storage, handling, and use of explosives and blasting
agents used in avalanche control practices shall comply with
this chapter and chapter 70.74 RCW.
(b) The minimum requirements published in chapter 296-52 WAC,
Part H, shall be applicable to the storage, handling, and use
of explosives and blasting agents in the endeavor of avalanche
control.
(2) Management responsibility.
(a) Explosives and blasting agents shall not be stored in any
regularly occupied areas or buildings except in compliance with
this chapter.
(b) Explosives and blasting agents shall not be assembled or
combined to form armed charges in any regularly occupied area
or building except in compliance with this chapter.
(3) Personnel.
(a) Only fully qualified and licensed blasters shall be permitted
to assemble or arm explosives components.
(b) Training shall include avalanche blasting experience so
that the problems encountered in cold weather blasting are known
factors.
(c) All training activities shall be conducted under the attended
supervision of a fully qualified and licensed blaster.
(4) General requirements.
(a) Initiating systems for hand-placed or hand-thrown charges.
(i) The ignition system on single-unit hand-thrown charges
shall consist of a nonelectric cap or shock tube and approved
initiation system.
(ii) Multiple units combined to form a single hand-placed
charge may use the above system, an approved detonating cord
system or shock tube system. No other ignition system shall
be permissible without specific approval by the department.
(iii) When using a shock tube system, after all charges are
in place, connected to the shock tube trunk line and ready
for initiation, the shock tube initiation tool shall be attached
for firing.
(b) Multiple charge blasts.
(i) Detonating cord or shock tube system shall be used in
lieu of blasting wire to connect multiple charge blasts.
(ii) When using detonating cord systems, after all charges
are placed, connected to the detonating cord, and the charges
are ready to be ignited, a safety fuse and cap shall be attached
to the detonating cord. A fuse igniter may then be attached
to ignite the safety fuse.
(c) Blasting caps shall be no larger than No. 8 except when
recommended by the explosives manufacturer for a particular
explosive used within a specific application.
(d) Electric blasting caps aren't permitted.
(e) Safety fuse and shock tube.
(i) Only the highest quality safety fuse with excellent water
resistance and flexibility shall be used.
(ii) Shock tube systems may be used in place of fuse cap
and safety fuse systems.
(f) Fuse length.
(i) Safety fuse length shall be selected to permit the control
team adequate escapement time from the blast area under all
reasonable contingencies (falls, release of bindings, etc.)
(ii) In no instance shall a fuse length with less than 90
seconds burn time be permitted.
(iii) The burn time of each roll of safety fuse shall be
checked prior to use.
(iv) Checked rolls shall be marked with the tested burn time.
(v) It is recommended that all hand charges be prepared for
ignition with either one safety fuse and igniter or a double
safety fuse and igniters.
Note: Standard
safety fuse burns at a rate of 40 to 55 seconds at 2,500 meters
elevation. This rate equates to approximately 24 inches fuse length
for 90 secondhand fuses at normal avalanche control elevations,
but fuse burn rate should be checked before each use.
(5) Explosives.
(a) Explosives chosen shall have a safe shelf life of at least
one operating season in the storage facilities in which it will
be stored.
(b) Explosives chosen shall have an excellent water and freezing
resistance.
(c) Industrial primers (or boosters) that consist mainly of
TNT or gelatin are the recommended explosives.
(6) Transporting explosives and hand charges.
(a) Hand charges or explosives components shall be transported
in approved type avalanche control packs, in United States Department
of Transportation-approved shipping containers or in licensed
magazines.
(b) Criteria for avalanche control packs.
(i) The pack shall be constructed of water resistant material.
(ii) Packs shall be constructed with sufficient individual
compartments to separate hand charges or explosives components
from tools or other equipment or supplies which may be carried
in the pack.
(iii) Each compartment used for hand charges or explosives
components shall have an independent closure means.
(iv) If fuse igniters will be permitted to be carried on
the avalanche control pack, a separate compartment with individual
closure means shall be attached to the outside of the exterior
or the pack.
(c) Use of avalanche control packs.
(i) Packs shall be inspected daily, prior to loading, for
holes or faulty compartment closures. Defective packs shall
not be used until adequately repaired.
(ii) Tools or other materials shall not be placed in any
compartment which contains hand charges or explosives components.
(iii) Fuse igniters shall never be placed anywhere inside
the pack when the pack contains hand charges or other explosives
components.
(iv) Fuse igniters may be carried in a separate compartment
attached to the outside of the pack exterior but preferably
in a compartment attached to the front of the carrying harness.
Another acceptable alternative is to carry the igniters in
a jacket pocket completely separate from the pack.
(v) Hand charges or explosives components shall not be stored
or left unattended in avalanche control packs. Unused hand
charges shall be promptly disassembled at the end of individual
control routes and all components returned to approved storage.
(vi) Individual control team members shall not carry more
than 35 pounds of hand charges in avalanche control packs.
(vii) A hand charge or cap and fuse assembly which has a
fuse igniter attached shall never be placed in an avalanche
control pack for any reason.
(d) Whenever explosives or explosives components are transported
in or on any vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine,
provisions shall be made to ensure that said explosives or containers
can't come into contact with the hot exhaust system.
(e) Hand charges or explosives components shall not be transported
in spark-producing metal containers.
(f) Hand charges shall not be transported on public roads and
highways when such roads or highways are open to the public.
Explosives components shall only be transported on public roads
or highways in compliance with United States Department of Transportation
regulations.
General. The department shall recognize 2 permissible methods
concerning hand charges for avalanche control blasting. The descriptions
and requirements for each method are contained in this section.
Note:A well-designed
and constructed hand charge makeup room can enhance the correct
assembly of explosive components and reduce the incidences of
misfires from incorrect makeup or moisture.
(1) Method I. Makeup at the blast site.
(a) The ignition system shall consist of a nonelectrical blasting
cap and highest quality water resistant safety fuse, or detonating
cord, assembled as recommended by the manufacturer.
(b) Detonating cord shall be used to connect separated multiple-charge
blasts.
(c) No other ignition system shall be permissible on hand-placed
or hand-thrown avalanche control charges unless variance is
granted by the department.
(d) Caps shall be installed on correct length fuses prior to
being transported out onto control routes.
(e) Caps shall only be crimped with a crimper tool approved
for that purpose.
(f) Assembling caps and fuses shall be done in a warm, dry,
well-lighted environment. The location used for assembly shall
not have flammable fuels, flammable gases, or explosives present
where accidental detonation of the caps could create a secondary
ignition or detonation hazard.
(g) Each cap shall be protected by a styrofoam shield or the
equivalent before being placed in an avalanche control pack
for transportation.
(h) A fuse igniter shall never be attached to a fuse until
the fuse and cap assembly is installed in the hand charge at
the blast site and the control crew is fully prepared to ignite
the charge.
(i) All 1.1 explosives shall be attended as defined in this
chapter at all times when the explosive is out of the Type 1
or 2 storage magazine.
(j) Disbursement of explosive charges from the Type 1 or 2
storage magazines into avalanche control packs shall be done
outside the storage magazine. Records shall be maintained for
all explosives disbursed.
(k) Caps, cap and fuse assemblies, armed hand charges, or fuse
igniters shall not be carried into or stored in a Type 1 or
2 magazine which contains 1.1 explosives.
(2) Method II. Hand charge makeup room. This method is different
from Method I primarily in that the fuse and cap assembly is installed
in the explosive charge while inside a special makeup room. The
assembly procedure shall be as follows:
(a) Install caps on correct length fuses with an approved crimper
tool before explosives are brought into the makeup room.
(b) The cap and fuse assemblies shall not be combined with
explosives to form hand charges until just before the intended
time of distribution.
(c) Only nonsparking skewers shall be used to punch holes in
an explosives cartridge.
(d) The fuse shall be laced or taped in position after inserting
the cap in the charge.
(e) Each hand charge shall be placed in an explosives box or
avalanche control pack immediately after assembly is completed.
(f) No spark-producing metal tools shall be used to open explosives
containers.
(g) Fuse igniters shall never be attached to a fuse or a hand
charge until the hand charge is at the blast site and the control
crew is fully prepared to ignite the charge.
(3) Makeup room requirements, procedures.
(a) Construction requirements.
(i) Makeup rooms located in accordance with the American
Standard Quantity and Distance Tables for storage shall not
require construction of reinforced concrete walls, floors,
and doors. All other requirements of this chapter shall be
applicable for such facilities.
(ii) Floors and walls. The floor and walls shall be constructed
of reinforced concrete not less than 8 inches thick. The rebar
shall be not less than one-half inch diameter and shall be
spaced on 12-inch vertical and horizontal centers. The rebar
shall be bent at a 90 degree angle and extend a minimum of
24 inches into the adjoining floor or wall to secure each
floor and wall joint.
(iii) Roof. The roof isn't limited to specific materials
but shall provide both weather protection and standard snow
loading protection for the region.
(iv) Access door(s)
(A) If hinged door mounting is utilized, the hinge shall
be mounted on the inside so that the door opens into the
makeup room. In the fully closed position, in position to
be locked, the door shall be a minimum of 2 inches larger
than the access opening on all sides.
(B) If a flush door mounting is utilized, the door shall
be mounted with a 2-inch decreasing taper on all sides of
both the door and the concrete access opening to form a
wedge seal.
(C) If a sliding door mounting is utilized, the mounting
apparatus shall be on the inside of the makeup room and
the door shall be a minimum of 2 inches larger than the
access opening when the door is fully closed.
(D) Makeup room door may be either:
(I) Constructed to the same structural integrity and
mounting requirements of (A) through (C) of this subsection;
or
(II) Constructed of plywood not less than 2 inches thick
and overlaid on the outside with a steel plate not less
than one-eighth inch thick.
(III) If a door which complies with (II) of this subsection
is used, a berm or barricade shall be installed within
6 feet of the door. The berm or barricade shall extend
at least as high as the top of the door and shall be a
minimum of 2 feet wider than the door on both sides of
the door.
(E) For security purposes, one steel padlock having at
least 5 tumblers and a case hardened shackle of at least
three-eighths inch diameter is sufficient for locking purposes.
Hinges and hasps shall be attached so that they can't be
removed from the outside when in the closed position and
with the lock in place.
(v) Interior finish. The inside of all makeup rooms shall
be finished and equipped to the following minimum requirements:
(A) Construction shall be fire resistant and nonsparking
up to the top of the walls. Nails or screws shall be countersunk,
blind nailed, or covered.
(B) Lighting shall be by N.E.C. explosion-proof rated fixtures
and all wiring shall be sealed in conduit.
(C) Control switches shall be outside the makeup room.
(D) No electrical outlet boxes are permissible inside the
room.
(b) Restrictions.
(i) Smoking, matches, open flames, or flame-or spark-producing
devices shall not be permitted inside the makeup room.
(ii) Flammable liquids or flammable compressed gases shall
not be stored in the makeup room.
(iii) Signs limiting entry to authorized personnel shall
be posted on the door(s).
(iv) A sign stating the occupancy rules shall be posted inside
the makeup room where it's clearly legible upon entering the
room. The sign shall post the following rules:
(A) Occupancy shall be restricted to specifically authorized
personnel;
(B) Smoking, matches flame-or spark-producing devices,
tools or equipment shall not be permitted in the room at
any time when explosives or explosive components are present;
and
(C) Flammable fuels or compressed gases shall not be permitted
inside the room nor stored within 50 feet of the room.
(v) Heating units shall be limited to:
(A) Forced air systems with the heating unit located outside
the room.
(B) Steam systems of 15 psig or less.
(C) Hot water systems of 130°F or less
(D) The radiant heating coils and piping for steam or hot
water systems shall be protected so that explosives can't
come into contact with them.
(E) Heating ducts shall be installed so that the hot air
doesn't discharge directly on explosives.
(F) The heating system used in a makeup room shall have
controls which prevent the ambient room temperature from
exceeding 130°F.
(vi) The makeup room shall be equipped with a portable fire
extinguisher of at least 2A-20BC rating.
Note: For additional
requirements relating to portable fire extinguishers see WAC 296-800-300.
(vii) Ventilation.
(A) The makeup room shall be equipped with a ventilation
system capable of maintaining a minimum rate of 3 air exchanges
per hour during all times when explosives are present in
the room.
(B) Fans and controls shall be located outside the makeup
room and shall be of a type approved for this service.
(C) The lighting circuit control shall also activate the
ventilation fan and the ventilation fan shall be operated
whenever personnel are in the room.
(D) Exhaust ventilation shall be arranged to discharge
into outside air, not into an enclosed structure.
(viii) The floor or exterior walls may be constructed with
duct openings for heating and ventilation purposes provided
that:
(A) Each duct opening isn't greater in volume than 72 square
inches;
(B) The combined number of duct openings shall not exceed
3;
(C) Duct openings shall be located within 12 inches of
the floor or ceiling;
(D) The exhaust duct opening shall not be located on the
wall above the makeup workbench.
(c) Practices and procedures.
(i) When explosives are present in the makeup room, entry
into the makeup room shall be restricted to trained and authorized
personnel.
(ii) The access door(s) to the makeup room shall be kept
locked or bolted from the inside while employees are assembling
explosives.
(iii) The entire makeup room shall be kept clean, orderly,
and free of burnable rubbish.
(iv) Brooms and other cleaning utensils shall not have any
spark-producing metal parts if used when explosives are present.
(v) Sweepings and empty explosives containers shall be disposed
of as recommended by the explosives supplier.
(vi) Repair activities which utilize spark-producing tools
shall not be conducted on any part of the makeup room while
explosives are present.
(d) Storage of explosives.
(i) A makeup room shall not be used for the unattended storage
of 1.1 explosives.
(ii) A makeup room which meets all requirements of this chapter
may contain a Type 3 storage facility, for 1,000 or less blasting
caps.
(iii) A Type 3 storage facility shall be constructed according
to the requirements in WAC 296-52-70030 through 296-52-70040.
(A) A type 3 storage facility shall be fire resistant and
theft resistant. It doesn't need to be bullet resistant
and weather resistant if the locked makeup room provides
protection from weather an bullet penetration.
(B) Sides, bottoms, and covers shall be constructed of
not less than number 12 gauge metal and lined with a nonsparking
material.
(C) Hinges and hasps shall be attached so they can't be
removed from the outside.
(D) One steel padlock having at least 5 tumblers and a
case-hardened shackle of at least three-eighths inch diameter
is sufficient for locking purposes. The lock and hasp isn't
required to be equipped with a steel hood.
(e) Location.
(i) The makeup room shall be located in accordance with the
American Quantity and Distance Separation Tables as adopted
in chapter 70.74 RCW, Washington State Explosives Act and
this chapter except under conditions as indicated in this
section.
(ii) Where locating the makeup room in accordance with the
quantity and distance separation table is impractical because
of bad weather accessibility, rough terrain, or space availability:
(A) Upon application the department will issue a variance
enabling location of the makeup room, by mutual agreement,
at the safest possible location within the limitation of
the individual base area.
(B) The safest possible location will be the location most
isolated from assembly areas and buildings that are inhabited
with application of additional protection measures such
as:
(I) Berming.
(II) Locating natural obstructions or buildings that
are not inhabited between the makeup room and assembly
areas and buildings that are inhabited.
(III) Limitations on the total quantity of explosives
in the makeup room at any one time.
(iii) Makeup rooms designed to hold the boxes of explosives
awaiting makeup and the madeup explosives in avalanche control
packs awaiting distribution may be located using the total
quantity of explosives allowed at the makeup table at any
one time as the referenced quantity of explosives provided.
(A) The makeup room is located in accordance with the American
Quantity and Distance Separation Tables as adopted in chapter
70.74 RCW, Washington State Explosives Act and this chapter
for the referenced quantity of explosives at the makeup
table.
(I) This separation shall apply only to human proximity
to the makeup room and only at such time as there are
explosives in the makeup room.
(II) When the makeup room doesn't contain explosives
the separation tables shall not apply.
(B) The concrete walls of the room are designed to withstand
the explosion of the total amount of the referenced explosives.
(I) The concrete walls must be constructed in accordance
with specifications designed and certified by a licensed
engineer; or
(II) The concrete walls must be constructed to the specifications
of Department of the Army TM5-1300 "Structures to
Resist the Effects of Accidental Explosions" designed
to produce walls which will withstand explosion of the
referenced quantity explosives.
(C) The boxes of explosives awaiting makeup and the madeup
explosives in avalanche control packs awaiting distribution
are located behind separate concrete debris barrier walls
which will ensure that detonation of these explosives won't
occur if the explosives at the makeup table detonate.
(I) The concrete debris barrier wall must be constructed
in accordance with specifications designed and certified
by a licensed engineer; or
(II) The concrete debris barrier wall must be constructed
to the specifications of Department of the Army TM5-1300
"Structures to Resist the Effects of Accidental Explosions"
to produce a barrier which won't allow detonation of the
explosives awaiting makeup and distribution should the
referenced quantity of explosives detonate.
(III) Access from the makeup table to the area behind
the concrete debris barrier walls shall not be doored.
The concrete debris barrier walls will be designed so
that the access way from the makeup table to the area
behind the concrete debris barrier wall will deflect debris
from an explosive blast by inherent design.
(D) The roof shall be designed so that the resistance to
an interior explosive blast will be negligible
(iv) A full containment makeup room may be located anywhere
and must meet the following requirements:
(A) The makeup room must be constructed in accordance with
a licensed explosive engineer's approved design.
(B) The total amount of explosives in the room at any time
must not exceed the design limit of the room.
(1) The employer shall ensure that all members of avalanche control
blasting crews are competent ski mountaineers in good physical
and mental condition.
(2) Each avalanche control blasting crew or team shall consist
of a qualified and licensed blaster and at least one trained assistant.
(3) Untrained personnel may accompany blasting crews for training
purposes but shall not participate in actual firing of charges
until trained and authorized.
(4) The blaster in charge of each crew or team shall be responsible
for all phases of preparation and placement of charges.
(5) Avalanche control blasting should be conducted during daylight
hours whenever possible.
(6) Escape route.
(a) The avalanche control crew or team shall preplan the escape
route before igniting any charge.
(b) The escape route shall be as safe and foolproof as possible
and shall culminate behind a terrain barrier or at least 100
feet from the blast site by the time of detonation.
(7) Hand-thrown charges.
(a) A blaster shall only work with one charge at a time.
(b) Before attaching the igniter, the blaster must:
(i) Be at the start of the escape route;
(ii) Check the runout zone for personnel;
(iii) Check the blast area for personnel.
(c) After the blaster attaches and activates the igniter:
(i) The blaster shall check to see that the fuse is ignited;
(ii) If the fuse didn't ignite, no attempt shall be made
to relight it. The blaster shall immediately remove the fuse
cap from the charge to sidearm it. The fuse cap shall be treated
as a misfire and be put in an appropriately safe place separate
from all other explosive components. It shall not be approached
for at least 30 minutes, after which time it shall be properly
disposed of;
(iii) The practice of double fusing hand charges shall be
allowed. An attempt shall be made to light both fuses. If
only one of the 2 fuses lights, the charge shall be deployed
as normal;
(iv) As soon as the fuse is ignited, the blaster shall promptly
throw the charge into the target area;
(v) All personnel shall be in a safe place when the charge
detonates.
(d) Where hand-thrown charges will slide down the hill on hard
frozen snow or ice surfaces, charges shall be belayed with light
cord.
(8) Hand charges thrown from ski lifts or trams.
(a) The number of charges thrown from ski lifts or trams shall
be kept to a minimum.
(b) The lift operating crew shall be informed of the blasting
plans.
(c) The lift crew shall stand by for emergency procedures such
as transfer of lift onto auxiliary power, excavation, etc.
(d) The lift crew and the blaster in charge shall be in direct
radio contact at all times during the blasting operations.
(e) Only the avalanche control blasting crew and the essential
lift operating personnel shall be on a lift or tram during blasting
operations.
(f) The avalanche control blasting crew shall be traveling
up slope when a charge is thrown.
(g) A charge shall always be thrown down slope and to the side,
away from towers, haulropes, and other equipment or facilities.
(h) The minimum distance from the blast target to the closest
point of the lift shall be 60 feet.
(i) Hand charges shall not exceed 4.5 pounds of TNT equivalent.
(j) Fuses shall be timed and cut to such length that all personnel
on the lift will have moved a minimum of 300 feet from the blast
target by the time of detonation.
(k) Precautions shall be taken to avoid tossing charges into
any of the lift equipment, moving chairs, cables, towers, etc.
(9) Aerial avalanche control blasting.
(a) Blasting from aircraft shall require a written program
approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and the director,
or designee of the department of labor and industries.
(b) A written program shall include the following:
(i) Written procedures to be followed including provisions
for safety in the avalanche runout zone and emergency rescue
plans.
(ii) Hand charge makeup and handling procedures.
(iii) The type of explosives to be used.
(iv) The qualifications of all avalanche control personnel
involved in aerial blasting must meet the requirements of
WAC 296-52-64030.
(v) The specific locations where aircraft blasting is to
take place.
(c) An aerial avalanche control team shall be established consisting
of (at minimum) a pilot, a blaster in charge and an observer/controller.
(d) Blasting from an aircraft shall require the blaster in
charge to be a licensed avalanche blaster with an endorsement
for aerial blasting. The blaster in charge will be on board
during each aerial blasting mission.
Note:Blasting
from aircraft should only be used when it's determined that conventional
methods aren't the safest means to mitigate the existing avalanche
hazard.
(10) Avalauncher requirements.
(a) Management shall develop a written training program and
ensure that every person who will be authorized to work on an
avalauncher firing team is thoroughly trained. Training shall
include:
(i) All operating instructions;
(ii) Safety precautions;
(iii) Emergency procedures;
(iv) Securing requirements for the equipment.
(b) Each employer shall have a list of authorized operators
listed on a posted operator's list.
(c) Only trained and authorized personnel shall be permitted
to point and fire an avalauncher with explosive rounds.
(d) During firing of explosive load rounds, the firing team
shall consist of 2 qualified operators and not more than one
adequately trained helper.
(e) Operators must have a current state blasting license.
(f) Each operator shall individually check the elevation, pointing
and pressure settings of the gun before each shot is fired.
(g) Operators shall attempt to determine and record whether
or not each round which is fired actually explodes on contact.
(h) The approximate location of all known misfired explosives
(or duds) shall be recorded.
(i) Initial shooting coordinates for each avalauncher mount
shall be made during periods of good visibility.
(j) Testing shall include test firing in various wind conditions.
(k) The correct coordinates for the various conditions encountered
shall be carefully recorded.
(l) When spotter personnel are used in the target area, shooting
shall be conducted with nonexplosive projectiles.
(m) Firing of explosive avalauncher rounds shall only be conducted
when personnel aren't in the target area.
(n) The avalauncher apparatus shall be stored in a nonfunctional
condition when not in use. This shall be accomplished by:
(i) Locking out the firing mechanism or gas source in accordance
with the lockout requirements of this chapter; or
(ii) Disassembly of functional components rendering the gun
inoperable and separate storage of components removed; or
(iii) Removal of the entire gun to secure storage.
(o) With established avalauncher mounts, each autumn when reinstalling
guns, the following procedures shall be accomplished before
the gun is considered operable:
(i) All components shall be carefully inspected by qualified
personnel;
(ii) After assembly and installation, the gun shall first
be test fired using a nonexplosive projectile;
(iii) The established firing coordinates shall be checked
by test firing.
(11) Cornice control requirements.
(a) Cornice buildup hazards shall be evaluated regularly by
qualified personnel, particularly after heavy snowfall periods
which are accompanied by high wind or other snow transport weather
conditions.
(b) Cornice hazards shall be controlled whenever the buildup
appears to offer potential hazard to areas accessible by personnel.
(c) The control team shall establish the tension breakline
of the cornice roof as accurately as conditions permit before
starting any other control work on the cornice.
(d) The tension breakline shall be marked when necessary.
(e) Small lightly packed cornices may be kicked off with a
ski, ski pole, or shovel by an unbelayed control team member
if the ridgeline can be clearly established and all work can
be done from the safe side of the ridgeline.
(f) When working along an anticipated conrice breakline, control
team members shall retreat back from the breakline to change
work positions rather than traverse along the breakline.
(g) The following factors shall be given careful consideration
before commencing control activities on any relatively larger
cornice:
(i) The older and larger a cornice becomes, the more densely
it compacts. Densely packed cornices release into larger blocks
offering a higher level of danger to an extended runout zone.
The control team leader shall therefore take highest of precautions
to assure that the runout zone is clear of personnel;
(ii) Larger size cornices result in increased suspended weight
and leverage which may cause the breakline release fracture
to occur behind the actual ridgeline. The actual ridgeline
may also be obscured by the simple mass of larger cornices.
Control team members shall stay off the cornice roof and must
be protected by a secure belay when working near the suspected
breakline;
(iii) All large cornices shall be released by explosives.
Explosives shall be transported, made up and fired in accordance
with the following requirements:
(A) The ignition system for single hand charge blasts shall
be safety fuse and cap or a system approved by the department.
(B) Detonating cord or shock tube shall be used to connect
multiple charge blasts.
(C) When detonating cord is used, one end shall be securely
anchored where premature cornice collapse won't disturb
the anchor. The fuse and cap shall be attached to the free
end of the detonating cord after all charges are connected
to the detonating cord.
(D) Safety fuse length shall be sufficient to permit adequate
escapement time for all personnel from the area influenced
by the blast. Safety fuse shall be not less than 3 feet
long, approximately 2 minutes and 20 seconds, in all instances.
(h) Cornice control work on large cornices shall be conducted
during daylight hours and preferably during favorable weather
conditions. As a minimum, clear visibility shall exist across
the full length of any cornice which the control team is attempting
to release.
(12) Belaying practices.
(a) Belay rope shall be standard 11 mm mountaineering rope
or the equivalent.
(i) Belay rope shall be inspected at not less than 30-day
intervals and maintained in excellent condition.
(ii) Defective belay rope shall not be used for belaying
purposes.
(b) Adequate trees or other suitable natural belay anchors
shall be used in preference to a human belay anchor when such
natural anchors are available.
(c) The belay anchor position shall be as near to 90 degrees
from the tension breakline as the terrain conditions will permit.
(d) With either a natural belay anchor or human belay anchor,
the belay line shall be tended to keep slack out of the line.
(e) when either the belayed person or belay anchor line needs
to change position, the belayed person shall retreat back from
the cornice to a safe position until the belay anchor is reestablished.
(f) When a human belay anchor is used:
(i) The belay anchor person shall establish the anchor position
as far back away from the cornice as conditions permit;
(ii) The anchor person shall remain in a seated position
with their legs pointed toward the belayed person until such
time as the belayed person has retreated back from the cornice
to a position considered to be safe.
(1) The following requirements shall apply to all kinds of avalanche
control blasting:
(a) Each person who ignites a charge or propels a charged projectile
with any kind of apparatus shall note whether or not the charge
actually detonates.
(b) A conscientious effort shall be made to promptly retrieve
any misfired explosives.
(i) If conditions make it impractical or dangerous to promptly
retrieve a misfired explosive, a search shall be conducted
as soon as conditions permit.
(ii) Any area which contains a misfired explosive shall be
closed to entry to all personnel except the search team until
such time as the area has been searched and pronounced safe
by the designated search leader.
(c) When searching for a misfired explosive on an uncontrolled
avalanche slope ( a slope which has not released), the procedures
used shall be consistent with good mountaineering practices.
(d) A hand charge misfire shall not be approached for at least
30 minutes.
(e) A hand charge or avalauncher misfired explosive may be
blown up with a secondary charge where they are found or may
be disarmed at the location by fully trained and qualified personnel.
(f) Military warhead misfired explosives shall not be moved.
They shall be blown up where they are found by secondary charges
except that trained military personnel may disarm and transport
such misfired explosives when approved by the governmental branch
having jurisdiction.
(2) Records
(a) Accurate records shall be maintained for every explosive
device which doesn't detonate.
(b) Misfired explosives records shall include the following
information:
(i) The suspected location;
(ii) A description of the misfired explosive;
(iii) The date the misfired explosive was lost;
(iv) The date the misfired explosive was found and disposed
of.
(3) Misfired explosive frequency.
(a) Misfired explosive frequency should be maintained below
one misfired explosive for every 500 detonating attempts.
(b) All employers who don't maintain a misfired explosive frequency
below one misfired explosive per 500 detonation attempts shall
investigate all aspects of the blasting program and take prompt
corrective actions as indicated.
(4) Misfired explosives warning signs.
(a) Requirements for warning signs. Ski area operations which
use any form of explosive device for avalanche control shall
display warning, information placards and/or signs as found
in this chapter, Part H.
(b) Signs shall be posted at readily visible locations and
in such a manner as to give both employees and the public ample
opportunity to be informed of the potential existence of misfired
explosives avalanche charges. Locations may include but aren't
limited to:
(i) Ticket sales and lift loading areas;
(ii) Food and beverage service facilities;
(iii) Restrooms and locker rooms;
(iv) Safety bulletin boards;
(v) Along general access routes.
(c) Signs shall be distinctive in appearance from the surrounding
background where they're posted.
(d) Signs shall be maintained in legible condition.
(e) Signs shall include the following information:
(i) The word "WARNING" or "DANGER" at
the top of the sign in the largest lettering on the sign;
(ii) The words "EXPLOSIVES ON THE MOUNTAIN";
(III) A colored pictorial illustration which also provides
information on dimensions of each type of explosive device
used in the area;
(iv) The sign wording shall conclude with specific instructions
to be followed by anyone who locates an unexploded explosive
device.
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