This Part is divided into two Divisions as follows:- Division !-General.
Division II-Use of Explosives in Wells.
DIVISION I-GENERAL
71. General. Unless otherwise prescribed under the provisions of
"The Explosives Acts, 1952 to 1963," or Regulations gazetted thereunder the Regulations contained in this Division shall apply wherever explosives are stored or used in connection with the exploration for and production of petroleum.
72. Ammonium nitrate mixture. Ammonium nitrate mixture shall be manufactured in accordance with the provisions of "The Explosives Acts, 1952 to 1963," and Regulations gazetted thereunder and when so manufactured shall be treated as an explosive under these Regulations.
73. Explosives not to be exposed to heat, etc. Explosives, including detonators shall be stored in a cool and dry place and not subjected to shock during transport.
74. Responsibility of Person-in-Charge regarding workmen using, handling, preparing or firing explosives. The Person-in-Charge shall not allow a workman to use, handle, prepare or fire explosives unless-
(a) such workman is competent to use, handle, prepare and fire such explosives, or is performing his duties under the direct personal supervision and direction of a person competent to use, handle, prepare and fire such explosives; and
26 reg. 75 THE PETROLEUM REGULATIONS (LAND), 1966 reg. 79
(b) such workman is over the age of eighteen years and has a good understanding of the English language.
75. Responsibility of workmen handling explosives. Where explosives are used in connection with the exploration for and the production of petroleum, the workmen handling, charging or firing the explosives shall be jointly and severally responsible for the proper handling, charging and firing thereof.
76. Storage of explosives. (1) Explosives shall not be stored except in such type of magazines and in such quantities as may be approved in writing by the State Mining Engineer;
(2) Magazines shall be located, unless otherwise approved by the State Mining Engineer, in accordance with the following table of distances:-
Net Explosives
Quantity (lbs.)
100 200 400 600 800 1,000 2,000 3,000
TABLE OF SAFETY DISTANCES (all distances in feet)
To Dwelling-houses, To Railways, Net To Dwelling-houses,
Churches, Main Explosives Churches, Main
Offices, Workshops, Canals, Rivers Quantity Offices, Workshops, and the like or Main Roads (lbs.) and the like
63 32 4,000 704
100 50 5,000 800
159 80 6,000 882
208 104 8,000 1,018
252 126 10,000 1,129
292 146 15,000 1,335
459 230 20,000 1,490
592 296
To Railways, Canals, Rivers or Main Roads
352 400 441 509 565 668 745
For storage of quantities of explosives in excess of twenty thousand pounds reference shall be made to the Table of Outside Safety Distances prescribed by the Explosive Storage and Transport Committee of the United Kingdom, reproduced and circulated in Australia by the Authority of the Operational Safety Committee, Department of Defence Production of Australia.
77. Ammonium nitrate. Ammonium nitrate shall be stored in a manner approved by the State Mining Engineer.
78. Use of ammonium nitrate mixture. The use of ammonium nitrate mixture as an explosive shall be subject to the provisions of this Division unless the State Mining Engineer approves in writing other conditions for its handling and use.
79. Detonators. Except when approved by the State Mining Engineer detonators other than electric detonators shall not be used in seismic exploration.
Substituted by regulations published Gazette 20 February 1982, pp. 609-61 0; as amended by regulations published Gazette 27 June 1987, pp. 2339-2341.
80. Magazines. ( 1) Detonators shall not be stored in the same magazine as other explosives, except in a special compartment approved in writing by the State Mining Engineer.
(2) (Repealed).
(3) Tools used for opening cases of explosives and making up of charges may be stored in a magazine providing such tools are made of wood, fibre, bronze, brass, rubber, plastic or other non-sparking material.
( 4) Dead timber and other flammable debris shalC~be removed to a distance of not less than twenty-five feet from a magazine.
As amended by regulations published Gazette 20 February 1982, pp. 609-61 0.
81. Lights and smoking. (1) A person entering or being in a magazine shall not have in his possession any burning or incandescent substance which is exposed.
(2) A person shall not smoke while carrying, handling or using explosives or while being within twenty feet of any explosives.
82. Lighting of a magazine. If artificial lighting of a magazine is required portable electric lanterns or flashlights of flameproof construction shall be used.
83. Person to be in charge of magazine and keeping of record book.
(1) Every magazine shall be under the charge of the Person-in-Charge or an authorised person who shall have in his possession the keys of the magazine and who shall be responsible for the safe storage of the explosives contained in the magazine.
(2) The Person-in-Charge shall keep a record book in which he shall record the name of an authorised person referred to in subregulation (1).
(3) Where explosives are received into a magazine, the Person-in- Charge or the authorised person shall record in the record book-
(a) the date of receipt of the explosives;
(b) the kind and quantity of the explosives received; and (c) the markings on the outer package of the explosives received.
( 4) Where explosives are issued from a magazine, the Person-in- Charge or the authorised person shall record in the record book-
(a) the date of issue of the explosives;
(b) the kind and quantity of the explosives issued; and (c) the name of the person to whom the explosives are issued.
(5) At monthly intervals, the Person-in-Charge or the authorised person shall inspect the contents of each magazine and verify that the explosives stored in each magazine correspond with the record maintained in the record book.
28 reg. 84 THE PETROLEUM REGULATIONS (LAND), 1966 reg. 86
(6) Where the inspection referred to in subregulation (5) reveals a discrepancy between the explosives stored in a magazine and the record maintained in the record book, the Person-in-Charge or the authorised person shall report such discrepancy immediately to the Senior Petroleum Engineer.
(7) The record book required to be kept pursuant to this regulation shall be produced to an inspector upon request.
Substituted by regulations published Gazette 27 June 1987, pp. 2339-2341.
84. Explosives to be carried only in secure containers. Explosives when taken from a magazine shall be conveyed directly to the place of use in a securely covered case, canister, or other suitable container of a type and pattern acceptable to the State Mining Engineer. Separate containers or separate compartments of a container shall be used for conveying explosives, capped fuse and electric detonators.
85. Surplus explosives to be returned to magazine. Explosives shall not be taken from a magazine except in such quantities as may be required during the day and any surplus explosives shall be returned to a magazine unless the State Mining Engineer approves temporary storage in accepted containers.
86. Transportation by vehicle. (1) Where explosives in quantities of two hundred pounds or less are transported between a magazine and place of charging and firing, such explosives shall be transported in . accordance with the following provisions:-
(a) The explosives, including detonators shall be transported in separate closed containers in which the explosives are packed so that they are protected from shock, heat, sparks or water.
(b) The driver of the vehicle shall ensure by wedging or other means that the containers of explosives cannot fall off, fall over, slide about, or bounce. He shall drive carefully to avoid shocks.
(c) Only the persons necessary for the operations in which the vehicle is engaged shall travel on the vehicle.
(d) The vehicle used to transport explosives shall be equipped with a suitable fire extinguisher.
(2) Explosives (including detonators) in quantities exceeding two
hundr~d pounds, shall be transported on land, unless otherwise approved in writing by the State Mining Engineer in accordance with the following provisions of this Regulation.
(3) Explosives or detonators shall not be transported in a trailer, and a vehicle transporting explosives shall not tow a trailer.
(4) A vehicle transporting explosives shall as far as possible avoid congested traffic and shall stop before proceeding across main road intersections and railway crossings; otherwise no unnecessary stops shall be made.
(5) A vehicle transporting explosives shall-
(a) be clearly marked at the front, rear, and both sides with signs kept unobscured and bearing the word "EXPLOSIVES"
in letters of a height not less than six inches and painted with luminous red paint on a white background;
(b) be equipped during hours of darkness with amber lights on the two front-facing corners and with red lights on the two rear-facing corners of the vehicle;
(c) be equipped with not fewer than two suitable and serviceable fire extinguishers; one of which shall be suitable for use against electrical fires;
(d) be equipped with other warning devices such as flags and lights as may be required by the State Mining Engineer; and (e) be equipped with a First Aid kit.
(6) The signs referred to in the immediately preceeding Regulation shall be either removed or covered when a vehicle is not carrying explosives.
(7) Sparking, conducting or flammable material other than explosives and their containers shall not be carried in the explosives compartment of a vehicle.
(8) A vehicle carrying explosives shall not be- (a) taken inside any building;
(b) repaired unless the explosives are removed from the vehicle to a place of safety, except in cases where emergency running repairs are required; or
(c) equipped with any radio transmitting apparatus except as hereinafter provided in these Regulations.
(9) A vehicle used for carrying explosives shall be kept in good and safe mechanical condition.
(1 0) A person shall not smoke on, in or while attending a vehicle loaded with explosives.
87. Using, handling preparing and firing an explosive. (1) A workinan when engaged in preparing or firing explosives shall wear a safety hat.
(2) When explosives are withdrawn from a magazine for use,: the oldest explosive shall where practicable be removed and used first.
(3) An explosive shall not be placed near an open flame, naked light, open fire or open heating unit.
(4) An explosive shall not be artificially heated before firing.
( 5) A detonator or an explosive shall not be carried in the pockets of a workman's clothing.
(6) Charging operations shall not be carried out during an electrical
storm. ·
30 reg. 88 THE PETROLEUM REGULATIONS (LAND), 1966 reg. 88
(7) A case of explosives shall be opened only with a wedge and mallet both made entirely of wood, fibre, bronze, brass, rubber, plastic or other non-sparking material.
(8) Explosives found to have deteriorated shall not be used and shall be destroyed promptly by a person competent in the use of explosives using methods laid down in Australian Standard AS187, Part 2-Use of Explosives, but shall not be burned except on the direct order of the Person-in-Charge or an authorised person.
(9) A stick of dynamite shall be cut on a wooden surface with a bronze knife or a knife made of non-sparking material which has a fixed blade.
(10)-
(a) capped fuse shall be prepared by an authorised person and in a suitable place approved by the State Mining Engineer.
(b) all fuse shall be cut to the required length with a sharp instrument and detonators shall be crimped on the fuse by a crimper approved by the State Mining Engineer.
( 11) Except in the case of primers or when otherwise approved by the State Mining Engineer, a person shall not remove the wrappers around cartridges of nitroglycerine explosives required for use in charging a hole.
( 12) Shot holes shall be drilled of sufficient diameter to accommodate the explosives to be charged in them.
(13)-
(a) tamping rods or sticks shall be of wood, unless otherwise approved by the State Mining Engineer; Provided that the fittings of such tamping rods may be made of brass or other non-sparking material.
(b) explosives may be pressed or tamped into holes prepared for them, but must not be rammed or unduly forced into
such holes. ·
(c) for the purpose of this Regulation tamping shall mean the pressing of an explosive cartridge into a hole.
As amended by regulations published Gazette 20 February 1982, pp. 609-610.
88. Firing warning to be given. The person supervising firing operations shall, before firing explosives, warn all persons in the vicinity likely to be affected by the explosion and shall position workmen at such places as are considered necessary in order to prevent a person approaching within an unsafe distance of the scene of the explosion.
Such workmen shall be equipped with suitable red flags or signs.
The person supervising firing operations shall cause audible warning or all clear signals to be given.
As amended by regulations published Gazette 20 February 1982, pp. 609-610.
89. Use of safety fuse. (1) Except with the permission of the State Mining Engineer safety fuse shall not be used for the firing of charges in seismic prospecting or perforating and other operations in drilling wells.
(2) When safety fuse is used for the firing of charges, the State Mining Engineer may determine the minimum length of fuse that may be used and the maximum number of fuses that may be lit by any one person and may direct that a multiple fuse igniter cartridge of an approved type be used.
(3) The burning rate of safety fuse shall be tested before it is used. · (4)-
(a) When igniting more than one fuse, a type of igniter approved by the State Mil'ling Engineer shall be used.
(b) In so lighting fuses, precautions shall be taken to ensure that no portion of the burning igniter falls into any of the holes or upon any of the fuses.
( 5) The number of shots exploding shall where practicable be counted by two persons and any misfire shall be reported to the Person- in-Charge or supervisor.
90. Use of electric exploder. (1) When an exploder is used in firing shots electrically, the exploder, cables and wires shall be suitable for the conditions under which the firing is carried out.
(2) Detonator wires shall be unravelled or unwound slowly during the time that a charge is being lowered into a hole by such wires.
(3) Detonator wires shall not be unravelled or unwound by being thrown or dragged on the ground. They shall not be anchored to a grounded conductor.
( 4) The exploder container shall be fitted with a locking device which shall be kept locked while the exploder is not in use. The key of the locking device shall not pass from the personal custody of an authorised person.
(5) The exploder shall not be connected to the shot-firing cable until all other steps preparatory to the firing of the shot have been completed, and all persons have been removed to a place of safety.
( 6) Immediately after firing the shot, the firing cable shall be disconnected from the exploder.
(7) The exploder shall be tested at frequent intervals by means of an instrument approved by the State Mining Engineer for that purpose, and immediately prior to firing the electrical circuit to be used shall be tested by a galvanometer or some other method approved by the State Mining Engineer.
(8) A primary or secondary battery shall not be used for shot-firing unless approved by the State Mining Engineer.
32 reg. 91 THE PETROLEUM REGULATIONS (LAND), 1966 reg. 93
91. Short-circuiting of detonators and firing cables. Where shots are fired electrically the detonator lead wires shall remain short-circuited until the explosive charge is at the bottom of the shot hole or at the maximum depth in the shot hole in accordance with the length of the detonator lead wires and providing for connection to. the firing cable.
The firing cable leading to the explosive charge shall also remain short- circuited while the leads from the detonator are being connected to each other and to the firing cable. The short-circuit in the firing cable shall not be opened until all persons have been removed to a place of safety and it shall be located so that a premature explosion will not harm the person opening the short-circuit. After a shot has been fired, the firing cables shall be immediately removed from the firing switch and short-circuited.
92. Precautions against stray currents, etc., in electric shot-firing.
Where shots are fired electrically in the vicinity of power or lighting cables, adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent the shot-firing cables or wires both before and after firing, from coming into contact with or being affected by any leakage of electrical current from the power or lighting cables.
93. Use of power or lighting cables in electric shot-firing. (1) Electricity from power or lighting cables shall not be used for firing shots, except where a special firing switch is provided.
(2) The firing switch shall be properly constructed and protected so as to ensure total absence of current or current leakage into the firing cables leading to the point where the wires from the charges to be fired are connected, except when the switch is closed.
(3) The firing switch and any other switch used shall each be placed in a fixed locked box, each box being so constructed that it cannot be shut unless the switch is in the safety position.
( 4) There shall be only one key for each box and the key shall be in the custody of an authorized person and in no circumstances shall be the key pass from his personal custody.
(5) Shot-firing leads shall be connected to shot-firing cables through suitable connections affixed to the firing cables.
(6) The shot-firing switch shall not be connected to the source of power until all persons have been removed to a place of safety.
(7) Electrical contact shall not be made to the firing switch until immediately before firing, and shall be disconnected immediately afterwards and the box locked ..
(8) The firing cables or wires used for firing shots at one or more working places shall not be used for firing shots in subsequent working places until all proper precautions have been taken to ensure that such
firing cables or wires have no electrical connection with the leads from the first working place or places.
94. Drilling near explosive charge. A hole shall not be drilled in such a direction as to come in contact with a hole or the remaining portion of a hole containing explosive and a hole in which explosive has been previously charged shall not be redrilled.
95. Supply of low freezing explosives. When required by the State Mining Engineer the Person-in-Charge shall supply to the workmen using explosives a low freezing type of explosive approved by the State Mining Engineer and no other type shall then be used.
96. Firing. ( 1) When conducting firing operations in the neighbourhood of buildings, railways, roads or inhabited areas, the person firing the explosive shall take adequate precautions against possible injury to persons and property by-
(a) limiting the explosive charge to the necessary minimum; or (b) using a suitable protective device over the shot hole;
(c) warning the public in the vicinity prior to firing; and (d) adequately guarding against access to the area during firing.
(2) Firing is not permitted in the area of a permanent radio or television broadcasting transmitter unless the distance from the shot point to the base of the nearest mast is not less than that set out in the following table of minimum distances based on the power of the transmitter.
5-25
Transmitter Power (Watts)
25-50 . . . . 50-100 . . . . 100-250
250-500
500-1,000 . . . . I ,000-2,500
2,500-5,000 5,000-10,000
10,000-25,000 . . . . . . . . 25,000-50,000 . . . . . . . . . . 50,000-100,000
Minimum Distance
(feet) 100
!50 220 350 450 650 1,000 1,500 2,200 3,500 5,000 7,000
As amended by regulations published Gazette 20 February 1982, pp. 609-610.
97. Radio transmitters. (1) When operating with a radio transmitter on the shooting truck the power switch of such transmitter shall be in the "OFF" position at all times when detonators are outside the magazine or above ground.
(2) During shooting operations, radio transmission within one hundred feet of the shot point, ·well or service truck shall not be permitted.