CES Professional Standards & Best Practices 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to best practices, blasting caps and initiating systems should be stored separately from bulk explosives because:
- Caps are cheaper to replace than bulk explosives
- Accidental initiation of caps near bulk explosives could cause mass detonation (Correct answer)
- ATF requires separate invoices for each product type
- Caps degrade faster when stored near ANFO
Correct answer: Accidental initiation of caps near bulk explosives could cause mass detonation
Storing initiators separately from bulk explosives is a fundamental safety practice to prevent an accidental cap detonation from triggering the entire explosive inventory.
Question 2: A blaster receives a shipment of explosives without a proper bill of lading. The correct professional response is to:
- Accept delivery and create a retroactive bill of lading
- Refuse the shipment until proper documentation is provided (Correct answer)
- Accept the shipment and notify ATF within 30 days
- Call the manufacturer to verify the order verbally
Correct answer: Refuse the shipment until proper documentation is provided
Accepting explosives without required shipping documentation violates federal DOT and ATF requirements; the shipment should be refused until proper paperwork accompanies it.
Question 3: The 'competent person' designation for blasting operations under OSHA 29 CFR 1926 requires someone who can:
- Merely hold any state-issued driver's license
- Identify existing and predictable hazards and has authority to correct them (Correct answer)
- Perform only administrative duties without field oversight
- Work under supervision of any other licensed trade
Correct answer: Identify existing and predictable hazards and has authority to correct them
OSHA defines a competent person as one with the knowledge to identify hazardous conditions and the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
Question 4: When planning a blast near a public road, which document typically establishes the required closure distance and notification procedures?
- IME Pamphlet 22 only
- The applicable state DOT permit or blasting regulations (Correct answer)
- The blaster's personal experience log
- The manufacturer's technical data sheet for the explosives used
Correct answer: The applicable state DOT permit or blasting regulations
State DOT permits and state blasting regulations govern road closure distances and notification requirements for blasts near public thoroughfares.
Question 5: Continuing professional education for a Certified Explosives Specialist is important primarily to:
- Increase the blaster's charge-per-blast rate
- Stay current with evolving regulations, technology, and safety practices (Correct answer)
- Qualify for an ATF dealer's license automatically
- Reduce liability insurance premiums by law
Correct answer: Stay current with evolving regulations, technology, and safety practices
Continuing education ensures that certified professionals remain current with regulatory changes, new technologies, and updated safety standards in the explosives industry.
Question 6: If an explosives magazine lock is found broken at the start of a work day, the blaster-in-charge should FIRST:
- Replace the lock and continue normal operations
- Conduct a complete inventory and report any discrepancy to ATF immediately (Correct answer)
- Assume wind damage and document it internally
- Wait until end of day to assess whether anything is missing
Correct answer: Conduct a complete inventory and report any discrepancy to ATF immediately
A broken magazine lock is a potential theft or tampering indicator; an immediate inventory must be taken and any shortages reported to ATF without delay per federal reporting requirements.
Question 7: Which of the following actions demonstrates proper chain-of-command communication on a blasting project?
- The blaster issuing all-clear without notifying the project superintendent
- The blaster coordinating with the site superintendent before initiating each blast (Correct answer)
- Conducting blasts during shift changes to avoid interruptions
- Delegating all safety briefings to equipment operators
Correct answer: The blaster coordinating with the site superintendent before initiating each blast
Effective chain-of-command communication requires the blaster to coordinate with site management to confirm readiness and that all personnel are clear before each blast.
CES Professional Standards & Best Practices 3
According to best practices, blasting caps and initiating systems should be stored separately from bulk explosives because: