27. Regulations 28 to 31 apply to mines at which explosives are transported, stored, handled or used.
28.—(1) The mine operator must ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, all explosives are transported, stored, handled and used safely and securely.
(2) The mine operator must ensure that operations involving the transport, storage, handling or use of explosives are not carried out by anyone other than a person who is—
(a)competent; and
(b)authorised in accordance with rules to do so.
(3) The mine operator must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that no person issues or takes control of explosives except in connection with the person’s duties at the mine.
29. In mines in which places have been classified as hazardous under regulation 7(1) of DSEAR, the mine operator must ensure that—
(a)the only explosives that are used are suitable for use in such places; and
(b)before a shot is charged or fired, suitable tests for the presence of flammable gases are carried out.
30.—(1) This regulation applies in relation to the temporary storage below ground at a mine of explosives for which a licence for their storage is not required by virtue of regulation 7(2) and (3) of the 2014 Regulations.
(2) Subject to regulation 7(4) of the 2014 Regulations, the mine operator may designate as many places below ground at the mine as may be necessary for the temporary storage of explosives to which this regulation applies pending their use in shotfiring operations.
(3) The mine operator must not designate a place under paragraph (2) unless it is—
(a)suitable; and
(b)capable of being made secure.
(4) A place designated under paragraph (2) must, at all times, be made secure or be supervised.
31. Rules required by regulation 12 must include—
(a)requirements relating to shotfiring operations;
(b)procedures for appointing shotfirers;
(c)procedures for authorising other persons who will be involved with the transport, storage, handling and use of explosives;
(d)requirements relating to misfires; and
(e)in mines in which places have been classified as hazardous under regulation 7(1) of DSEAR, requirements relating to testing for the presence of flammable gases before any shot is fired.