Section 1817.66  Use of Explosives: Blasting Signs, Warnings, and Access Control

a)         Blasting signs shall meet the specifications of Section 1817.11. The operator shall:

1)         Conspicuously display signs reading "Blasting Site" along the edge of any blasting site that comes within 100 feet of any public road right-of-way, and at the point where any other road provides access to the blasting site; and

2)         At all entrances to the permit area from public roads or highways, place conspicuous signs which state "Warning! Explosives in Use" and which clearly list and describe the meaning of the audible blast warning and all-clear signals that are in use, and which explain the marking of blasting sites and charged holes awaiting firing within the permit area.

b)         Warning and all-clear signals of different character or pattern that are audible within 1/2 mile of the blast shall be given.  Each person within the permit area and each person who resides or regularly works within 1/2 mile of the permit area shall be notified of the meaning of the signals in the blasting notification required in Section 1817.64.

c)         Access to the blasting site shall be controlled to prevent the presence of livestock or unauthorized personnel during blasting and until an authorized representative of the person who conducts the surface mining activities has reasonably determined:

1)         That no unusual circumstances, such as imminent slides or undetonated charges, exist; and

2)         That access to and travel in or through the site can be safely resumed.

d)         Blasting prohibitions

1)         Blasting shall not be conducted within 300 feet of any building used as a dwelling unless waived by the owner or within 300 feet of a school, church, hospital, or nursing facility.

2)         Blasting shall not be conducted within 100 feet of facilities including, but not limited to, disposal wells, petroleum or gas storage facilities, municipal water storage facilities, fluid-transmission pipelines, or water and sewage lines unless a waiver is obtained from the owner of the facility and submitted to the Department prior to blasting within 100 feet.

(Source:  Amended at 26 Ill. Reg. 4252, effective March 6, 2002)