The Quarries (Explosives) Regulations 1988

Manager’s duties

5.—(1) The manager of every quarry at which explosives and detonators are used shall ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that explosives and detonators at the quarry are kept, handled and used safely and securely.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), the manager shall—

(a) ensure that any equipment, including any vehicle, which is provided for use in relation to shotfiring operations is—

(i) suitable for its intended use;

(ii) so kept, tested and maintained that it can be used safely; and

(iii) in the case of a vehicle, so marked as to be readily visible from a distance;

(b) make and keep up to date suitable rules (which must be amended or modified if so required by an inspector), which rules shall lay down in writing procedures for shotfiring operations at the quarry, procedures for dealing with misfires, and arrangements for ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, that they are complied with;

(c) approve adequate written specifications (whether prepared by him or not) for the firing of shots at the quarry to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that when such firing occurs it will not give rise to danger;

(d) appoint a suitable person to be in charge of the explosives store; and

(e) ensure that at all times explosives and detonators are either in a locked explosives store or under the constant supervision of a suitable person.

(3) The manager shall ensure that the rules referred to in paragraph (2)(b) and any amendments or modifications made to them are kept at the office of the quarry and copies of them are—

(a) posted in the covered accommodation provided in pursuance of section 135 of the 1954 Act; and

(b) given to any person at the quarry on whom they impose duties.

(4) The manager shall ensure that the specification referred to in paragraph (2)(c) and any amendments made to it are kept at the office of the quarry for a period of one year from the date of being made; and he shall give a copy of the specification to any person at the quarry on whom it imposes duties.

(5) The manager shall ensure that a legible and permanent record of the results of any examination of or test on any exploder or circuit tester at the quarry is recorded and kept for a period of 3 years in a safe place at that quarry.