                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

 MISFIRES (§ 45.2-932)

A. Every misfire shall be reported promptly to the mine foreman, and no other
work shall be performed in the blasting area until the hazard has been
corrected. A waiting period of at least 15 minutes is required before anyone is
allowed to any misfired hole. If explosives are suspected of burning in a hole,
every person affected shall move to a safe location for one hour or until the
danger has passed, whichever time is longer. When such failure involves an
electronic detonator, the blasting cable shall be disconnected from the source
of power and the battery ends short-circuited before any electrical connection
is examined.

B. Explosives shall be removed by (i) firing a separate charge at least two feet
away from, and parallel to, the misfired charge; (ii) washing the stemming and
the charge from the borehole with water; or (iii) inserting and firing a new
primer after the stemming has been washed out.

C. A careful search of the blasting area and, if necessary, of the coal after it
reaches the tipple shall be made after blasting a misfired hole to recover any
undetonated explosive.

D. The handling of a misfired shot shall occur under the direct supervision of
the foreman or an authorized person designated by him.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 45-53.7; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-50; 1994, c.
28, § 45.1-161.285; 1999, c. 256; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.