Section 43.90. Blasting

(a) There shall be one blaster in charge of each section. No one who has not received a permit from the Department shall be employed as a blaster anywhere within the jurisdiction of the Department.

(b) When firing by electricity from power or light wires, a proper switch shall be furnished with the lever in a down position when ‘‘off.’’ The switch shall be fixed in a locked box to which no person shall have access except the blaster. There shall be provided flexible leads or connecting wires not less than 5 feet in length with one end attached to the incoming lines and the other end provided with plugs that shall be connected to an effective ground. After blasting, the switch lever shall be pulled out, the wires disconnected and the box locked before any person shall be allowed to return, and shall remain so locked until again ready to blast.

(c) All electric light wires in the working chamber shall be provided with a disconnecting switch, which shall be thrown to disconnect all current from the wires in the working chamber before electric light wires are removed or the charge exploded.

(d) Before he sets off the blast, the blaster shall cause a sufficient warning to be sounded and shall be responsible that all persons retreat to safe shelter, and shall also see that they do not return until he reports it safe for them. He shall report to the foreman and furnish names of all persons refusing to obey his caution.