1

2
3
4
5

Construction Blasting Risk Management

December 2008
As we can see from the November 2008 article, "Construction
Blasting Fundamentals," there are many forms of risk associated
with blasting work. It is clear that, despite these risks,
experience reveals that blasting can be performed without
incident, when adequate risk-control measures are used to
manage the work.
by Peter G. Furst
Liberty Mutual Group
To ensure safe blasting procedures, it is very critical to understand the
terminology used in the specifications. As a general rule of thumb:
The "blast site" is the area where explosive material is handled during
loading, including an area extending at least 50 feet in all directions. The
"blast area" is the entire zone that may be affected in any way by the
blast.
Blast Management
Every blasting operation must have a "Blaster-in-Charge" (BIC). This
individual has overall responsibility for all aspects of the blasting
operations. Prior to any blasting, the general and site-specific blasting
hazards and environmental impacts must be defined for each blast site.
Blasting plans and procedures must incorporate all reasonable measures
necessary to eliminate negative impacts on persons, property, and the
environment.
Explosive storage on-site should be limited as much as possible, but if
this is necessary, then all federal, state, and local regulations governing
explosive storage must be followed.
In blasting design there are generally two major considerations: safety
concerns and operational concerns. Safety concerns should always come
first.
Pre-Blast Review Meeting
Before blasting, the Blaster-in-Charge should assemble all blast crew
personnel to review the blast area security plan and blast emergency
plan. The blast area is the area in which there is any potential for flying
material, air over-pressure, or gases from an explosion to cause injury to
persons. The Blaster-in-Charge should cover the following issues:
Acknowledge the shot is properly loaded, hooked up, secured, and ready
for detonation.
Review the blast firing time schedule.
Review the direction of the blast movement, and define the blast area
for security purposes.
The Blaster-in-Charge should specify who should fire the shot and define
the safe shot initiation location.
Review the communication system that should be used between the
Blaster-in-Charge and all blast area security personnel.

6
1
2
3
4
7

Specify what signals should be used to announce:

Pre-blast warnings
Blast time
All clear
Blast countdown suspension
Outline general emergency plans that should be used in case of an
accident or other unplanned event.
8 Review procedures for handling misfires.
9 Confirm all warning signs have been posted
Clearing and Guarding Procedures
The Blaster-in-Charge should coordinate blasts, with all concerned
parties, on an approved schedule. To do so, clearing and guarding
procedures must be set, communicated, maintained, and evaluated.
1 A safe area around the shot area should be determined and cleared.
Guards should be assigned to secure all possible entryways into the
blast area.
2 The Blaster-in-Charge should be in constant radio communication with all
personnel during the clearing and guarding operation.
3 When all guards confirm that the area is secure, the Blaster-in-Charge
should connect the primary initiation device 5 minutes before the
scheduled blast time.
4 The 5-minute blast warning signal should then be sounded.
5 Four minutes later, the 1-minute blast warning signal should be sounded.
6 At blast time, the Blaster-in-Charge should fire or instruct the designated
shot-firer to fire the blast.
7 After the post-blast fumes have dissipated to safe levels, the Blaster-inCharge should inspect the shot area. During the examination the blaster
should look for:
1 Dangerous rock conditions.
2 The presence of undetonated explosives, and/or initiators.
3 Abnormal blast conditions and any other hazards.
8 All misfires should be safely removed, and other hazardous condition
corrected or secured.
9 When the area is clear of hazards to nearby traffic, the public, or the job
site personnel, the Blaster-in-Charge should give the all-clear signal and
relieve the guards from their posts.
10 An approved lightning detector should be used to monitor approaching
electric storms. All precautions should be taken in the event of a storm.
Misfire Procedures
When blasting misfires occuror are suspectedthe misfire procedures
plan should be initiated. The Blaster-in-Charge should determine the
affected area.
1 No one is to enter this area for at least 30 minutes.
2 Only the minimum required people should enter the area to safely refire, wash out, or recover unshot explosives.
3 Record the location of any potentially undetonated explosives on the

1
2
3
4

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

blast report.
Expand the blast security area if flyrock potential is increased when
misfires are re-blasted.
Blast Emergency Plan
The elements of specific blast emergency plans should vary based on
the unique site conditions. The plan as a minimum should include the
following.
Post all emergency response telephone numbers, including medical
response, OSHA, MSHA, fire department, police, state regulatory
authorities, home phone numbers of all site supervisors and workers.
Plan should be clearly communicated and understood by all personnel.
Define notification procedures and their timing.
Identify location of first-aid kits and identify first-aid providers.
Blast Reports
Individual blast reports should be prepared for each blast. Blast reports
should include the following.
Blast date, time, and location
Weather end environmental conditions, such as wind speed and
direction.
Blast geometry: hole size(s), hole depth, drill pattern, number of holes,
bench height, and sub-drilling.
Blast hole loading summaries: typical hole loads, explosive types,
primers, detonator delays, stemming type and quantity, as well as total
explosive utilized, byproduct.
Shot volume and powder factor calculations.
Initiation timing schemes: in-hole delays, surface delays, and planned
hole firing times.
Blast effect monitoring data (such as ground vibration levels, air-overpressure measurements).
Notes about blasting results.
Name and signature of blaster-in-charge.
Risk Management
Risk management in blasting work is increasingly becoming more
challenging as work inevitably occurs in more populated areas. Not only
is the work closer to people and structures, but concern about blasting
effects on animals and utilities are also increasing. Sometimes it is
possible to use mechanical methods to excavate rock, but these are
slower, costly, and may still have vibration issues. Regardless of the
scale of the blasting work, sometimes engineers and contractors
underestimate the importance of preparing blasting controls and public
relations programs. The consequences of this are often severe.
Public Perceptions
The public's perception of blasting has been forged from scenes in
movies like Die Hard and Apocalypse Now. People do not want blasting
occurring, or explosives stored, near their homes. Some recent tragedies
with explosives have created genuine fear amongst the general public.

1
2
3
4

In light of these liabilities and public relation issues, it is imperative to

ensure that the blasting plan is as foolproof as possible, and the public
informed about the work planned for the site and educated about
blasting, its effects, and the controls put in place for everyone's
protection.
For most projects, engineers develop blasting specifications designed to
ensure that blasting is done safely and in conformance with project
requirements. The quality and thoroughness of the specifications can
greatly affect the outcome of the project. In most cases, risk is
transferred by contract clauses, but in some serious cases, owners and
others have become embroiled in legal action and have ended up with
financial losses.
Contractors and blasters usually understand the risk associated with the
work. Occasional accidents and incidents, such as flyrock and premature
detonation, are the result when blasters do not employ adequate blast
design and control practices. Along with these well-known risks, there
are secondary risks such as vibration and air overpressure that result
from blasting operations. Other issues that may have some impact may
involve explosives storage and transportation.
Managing Blasting Risk
Engineers and planners can use the following approach to manage
blasting risk. First, ensure that the project design is practical. Second,
define prequalification requirements for the contractors who are to bid
on the project. Third, develop specifications that clearly define
performance and safety requirements for the work. Fourth, ensure that
the work is overseen by capable personnel.
Safe blasting requires four basic elements:
Proper design
Specification
Prequalification
Oversight
Unless property is damaged by flyrock, most claims of damage caused
by vibration and air overpressure are "perceived" damage claims, where
observed damage may have been caused by other conditions such as
settlement, poor construction, weathering, differential temperature, and
humidity.
Public Relations
All blasting projectslarge or smalloccurring near any concerned
neighbors, require some level of public relations work. The level of this
public relations (PR) work is a function of the blasting duration, timing,
and the level of concern by the neighbors. Engineers and designers
understand that it is unlikely that the planned blasting will cause any
real injuries to the neighbors or damage their property. Because of this
belief, it is sometime hard for them to become enthused about PR work.
The neighbors, however, have a different impression of explosives,
which is gained from popular TV, movies, and well-publicized accidents

or disasters. So, ignoring the public is to invite potential delays and

eventually costly legal action.
Issues of Concern
Generally the neighbors' areas of concern fall into three categories:
Noise
Vibration damage
Danger
Planned PR Steps
It is usually a good idea to hire a competent public relations firm to
handle the PR issues as they relate to the project. The activities include:
Managing perceptions
Dealing with issues and concerns
Listening and communicating about the risk
Delivering a consistent message
Pre-Blast and After-Claim Property Condition Survey
Pre-blast surveys are an extremely important tool for prevention of
blasting complaints and subsequent damage claims. In many cases, preblast surveys lower the project liability risk, as well as serve as a venue
to educate the neighboring public. A professionally performed survey
also will influence the attitude of the adjoining property owners.
Depending on the project, the area surveyed can be as close as 300 feet
or half a mile and greater.
Pre-blast reports should include written notes, photographs, or video,
and in some cases, diagrams and measurements to classify existing
conditions. Settlement surveys by independent firms may also be
necessary. The surveyors should be given some PR training so that they
may effectively start the public education process.
Conclusion
It is important to understand that risk management starts well before
the blaster shows up for work on the project. Engineers and planners
must ensure that the project design is practical. The contractors are
prequalified to ensure that they are capable to successfully perform the
work. The specifications must clearly define the performance and safety
requirements of the work. And that the work is overseen by qualified and
capable construction personnel at all levels.
Note: Safe blasting procedures and risk management are discussed in
"Construction Blasting Fundamentals."
Opinions expressed in Expert Commentary articles are those of the
author and are not necessarily held by the author's employer or IRMI.
Expert Commentary articles and other IRMI Online content do not
purport to provide legal, accounting, or other professional advice or
opinion. If such advice is needed, consult with your attorney, accountant,
or other qualified adviser.
Plan para

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Contrato entre GM o propietario de terrenos y Marco A. Jimnez

Ttulos de propiedad de los terrenos (copia certificada)
Copia de Poder Notarial de representante legal
Copia Notarial Identificacin oficial de representante legal
Copia Notarial Comprobante de domicilio de representante legal
Estado civil de represntate legal

Renta mensual de maquinaria

1. Renta de dos excavadoras CAT 330 o similar
2. Renta de bulldozer D8 o similar
Plan de trabajo para excavacin
Excavaciones en roca
Planeacion General
El plan general de excavacin se formula tomando en cuenta los
factores externos, entre los que destacan el tiempo total de excavacin
as como los recursos existentes.
La planeacin de cada fase se realiza en base a los tiempos dados en la
planeacin general y en el proceso de cuantificacin del tiempo. Cuando
stos relacionados con las unidades de cuantificacin (m3 slidos,
tronadas, metros de barrenacin, alturas de bancos, y cantidades de
explosivos, etc.) La necesidad de capacidad de cada fase est
determinada. Esta ser la base para escoger el mtodo de explotacin y
el equipo.
Barrenacin
Esta actividad consiste en efectuar perforaciones necesarias en el frente
de trabajo.
Para realizar esta se debe tomar en cuenta:
Alturas de bancos econmicas.
Metros de barrenacin por m3 de slidos (m/barreno/ton) en
diferentes secciones transversales.
Espaciamiento ptimo de los barrenos en el banco y en el perfil.
Dimetro econmico de los barrenos.
El tipo ms simple de modelo de perforacin es una lnea recta de
barrenos verticales paralelos a un frente vertical. La distancia de cada
barreno al frente se llama bordo ; y la distancia entre barrenos , su
espaciamiento.

Carga de Explosivos y voladura

El plan de carga de explosivos siempre est basado en el plan de
barrenacin, el cual determina por ejemplo la cantidad de explosivos por
usar. Los siguientes factores deben ser considerados cuando se prepara
el plan de carga de explosivos.
Eleccin econmica de explosivos.
Determinacin de la capacidad de explosivos necesarios.
Eleccin del sistema de iniciacin y tipo de detonador.
Proteccin y seguridad: ejemplos: riesgo de daos, probabilidad de
accidentes, dispersin de los fragmentos de roca, vibraciones del suelo,
etc.
El encargado de Obra o Proceso debe ejecutar el trabajo de voladura de
acuerdo con las normativas de manejo y uso de explosivos existentes de
manera que el riesgo de accidente sea mnimo. Las plantillas de
voladura deben ser diseadas de manera que se respeten las lneas
tericas de excavacin planteadas en planos.
Toda excavacin en roca se har siguiendo los procedimientos ms
seguros y eficientes. Se debe procurar el mnimo de personal necesario,
estableciendo claramente los lmites de la excavacin y el alcance de las
explosiones, adems se deben identificar los posibles efectos en reas
vecinas.
Cualquiera de las tcnicas utilizadas por el Encargado de Obra o Proceso
(recorte, pre-corte o voladura amortiguada), debe garantizar la mnima
sobre excavacin posible, el Ingeniero de obra determina el medio de
control que le permita realizar los ajustes necesarios. Adems las
vibraciones producidas por la detonacin debern estar dentro de los
niveles mximos permitidos y al igual que en el caso de la sobre
excavacin contar con los mecanismos de control adecuados que
brinden los datos de la manera ms clara y rpida posible.
Las excavaciones en roca que se desarrollen debern considerar la
presencia de otras obras y estructuras a su alrededor con el fin de
establecer las velocidades mnimas aceptables que garanticen la
estabilidad y seguridad de cada elemento. Si no existe una investigacin
preliminar a menos deben de considerarse los siguientes parmetros:
Velocidades de Excavacin
Para masas de Roca (Criterio Bauer y Calder)

Sin fracturacin de roca intacta

Velocidades menores a 254 mm/s

Permitido el lajamiento menor de la masa de roca

Velocidades entre 254 a 635 mm/s

Tuneles (Langefors)

Para evitar desprendimiento de roca en procesos

Velocidades menores a los 300 mm/s
de excavacin

Estos factores podran variar de acuerdo a las calidades de la roca y de los equipos que se
tengan en los procesos de excavacin, otros criterios sugieren velocidades no mayores a 100
mm/s.

Estructuras Construidas (Criterio Canmet, Bauer y Calder)

Interruptores de mercurio en montura rgida

Menor a 13 mm/s

Casas y oficinas

Menor a 50 mm/s (puede ser menor

dependiendo del tipo de construccin y
calidad de la misma.

Perforaciones encamisadas

Menor a 380 mm/s

Equipo mecnico, bombas, compresores

Menor a 1000 mm/s

Concreto Endurecido

Colado de 1 da

14 mm/s

Colado de 2 das

30 mm/s

Colado de 3 das

40 mm/s

Colado de 7 das

60 mm/s

Colado de 28 das

85 mm/s

Colado de 90 das

100 mm/s

En todo caso si se tiene duda al respecto deber darse al menos 72 horas de tiempo.

Previo a cualquier actividad debe levantarse un registro fotogrfico que

permita evaluar las posibles evidencias de cambio de las masas de roca,
taludes o estructuras; este levantamiento fotogrfico debe adems tener
una elevacin tcnica del grupo ejecutor si as se considera en aquellos
elementos considerados crticos.
La tcnica a usar debe ser diseada y aprobada por un especialista en
explosivos, previamente definido por la Direccin y la Jefatura
Constructiva, considerando lo siguiente:
Cuando hay excavaciones en roca contra la cual se construirn
estructuras, o excavaciones que estn cerca de otras estructuras, se
deben hacer voladuras cuidadosamente controladas; en cuyo caso la
velocidad de vibracin mxima permisible en obras o terrenos es la
siguiente:
Estructuras de hormign: 100 mm/seg.
Roca no revestida. : 70mm/se
Con el fin de reducir a un mnimo la sobre excavacin en el piso de una
excavacin, la ultima bancada de roca sobre la cota de fundacin deber
tener como mximo 4m de altura y debe adems ser excavada
empleando perforaciones en numero, dimetro e inclinacin, acordes
con un desarrollo controlado en cada explosin. El uso de explosivos de
baja potencia y velocidad de detonacin es recomendable, de modo de
limitar o minimizar la sobre excavacin terica.
Se deben tomar precauciones especiales con las voladuras que queden
prximas a los paramentos laterales de una excavacin, los que deben
sufrir el menor dao posible. En general estas precauciones se tomarn
en una franja de 4 m mnimo de ancho, paralela al paramento, salvo
indicacin distinta en los planos o en las especificaciones tcnicas
particulares a la obra en construccin.

En caso de ser necesarios disparos cerca de estructuras recin

hormigonadas, las velocidades permitidas deben ser menores para no
correr el riesgo de dao. Los valores deben ser definidos en funcin de la
edad de curado de la estructura, siendo la velocidad mxima permitida
aquella permitida a los 28 das de curado.
Las voladuras no satisfactorias, por causa de excesiva sobre-excavacin
o daos a estructuras o instalaciones vecinas, sern suspendidas, y se
exigir al Encargado de Obra o Proceso demostrar, mediante un anlisis
o la opinin de un experto, el uso satisfactorio de otro sistema que
garantice el adecuado desarrollo de la obra.
El Encargado de Obra o Proceso deber constantemente vigilar la
estabilidad de los cortes y taludes, haciendo los trabajos necesarios para
evitar que elementos externos puedan desestabilizar la obra. En general,
deber asesorarse con la opinin de un especialista en el tema.
Carga, transporte y descarga del material producto de la
excavacin
Se considerara para estas actividades:
Seleccionar el tipo de cargador
Espacios para maniobras
Superficie y calidad
Cantidad de material producto de la voladura
Los cargadores son equipos de excavacin, carga y acarreo y por esta
causa es ms conveniente en algunos casos que la pala mecnica, pues
en sta es necesario el uso de camiones para el acarreo del material
aunque sea a distancias cortas.