The Stratified Ironstone, Shale and Fireclay Mines (Explosives) Regulations 1956

Firing shots electrically

28.—(1) Where a round of shots is to be fired by means of electric shot firing apparatus, the shot firer shall ensure that—

(a) the detonators are connected in series:

(b) no additional wire is used for connecting any detonator leads to each other.

(2) No shot firer shall use any cable for firing shots if its length is less than—

(a) sixty feet when a single shot is being fired otherwise than in a shaft in the course of being sunk;

(b) two hundred and ten feet when a round of shots is being fired otherwise than in a shaft in the course of being sunk;

(c) six hundred feet when a single shot or a round of shots is being fired in a shaft in the course of being sunk.

(3) A shot firer who is about to use shot firing cable shall ensure that it is not in, and cannot make, contact with any other cable or electric apparatus.

(4) No person other than a shot firer shall couple any shot firing cable to any detonator or to shot firing apparatus.

(5) No shot firer shall couple a shot firing cable to shot firing apparatus for the purpose of firing a shot unless the cable has already been coupled by him to the detonator or detonator circuit.

(6) No shot firer shall fire any round of shots by means of electric shot firing apparatus unless he has tested the circuit for continuity by means of a testing device approved by the Minister and has found it to be satisfactory. A shot firer shall not make any such test unless all persons in the vicinity have withdrawn to a place of safety, and he himself has taken proper shelter:

Provided that a shot firer shall not be required to make any such test before firing a round of less than five shots if there is for the time being in force in relation to the mine or the part thereof in which the round is to be fired an exemption from that requirement granted by an inspector by notice served on the manager.