Explosives and Blasting Program
Storage, handling, transportation, blaster licensing, misfire procedures, and surface blasting safety requirements.
What this document is
This document is a written Explosives and Blasting Program that meets federal OSHA requirements for construction sites. It gives contractors clear procedures to protect workers and stay in compliance when using explosives.
The regulation that requires it
29 CFR 1926.900 states that employers must comply with the provisions of this section when using explosives in construction work. The rule covers general safety requirements including storage, transportation, handling, loading, and firing of explosives. It requires that only authorized and trained persons handle explosives and that misfires receive special procedures. Employers must also develop and follow a written program that addresses these hazards.
Who needs it
General contractors, blasting subcontractors, and any employer whose workers handle, transport, or use explosives on a job site need this program. It applies across the United States under federal OSHA rules and is especially important for California contractors who must also satisfy Title 8 CCR requirements that align with 29 CFR 1926.900. Heavy civil, mining, demolition, and specialty blasting trades are the primary users.
What happens without it
OSHA and Cal/OSHA inspectors routinely check blasting operations during construction inspections. A missing or incomplete program can result in Serious citations with penalties in the current federal range of roughly $16,000 per violation or Willful citations up to approximately $161,000. Multi-employer work sites increase the chance that the controlling contractor will also be cited. Repeated violations or incidents quickly raise both penalties and the risk of work stoppages.
What's included in the generated document
- Explosives inventory and storage procedures
- Transportation and handling requirements
- Blaster-in-charge qualifications and licensing
- Misfire and emergency response steps
- Surface blasting safety controls
How to implement it at your company
- Download the PDF and review every section against your current blasting practices.
- Assign a competent person or blasting supervisor to serve as the program administrator.
- Train all employees who handle explosives using the written procedures in the document.
- Post the program at the job site and keep a copy in the blasting trailer or office.
- Update the document whenever site conditions, personnel, or regulations change.