Section 1850.15  Application and Certification

a)         Each applicant shall submit a completed application for certification on forms supplied by the Department.   Any applicant whose completed application has been received, reviewed and accepted by the Department prior to a regularly scheduled examination session shall be scheduled for that session.   The following documents shall be included with the completed application form:

1)         A notorized statement from the applicant's employer or other person, including, but not limited to a certified blaster or fellow employee, having personal knowledge of the applicant's blasting experience, and affirming that the applicant has had at least two years' blasting experience.

2)         Proof that the applicant has successfully completed a blaster training course or courses that cover the material listed in Section 1850.13(b).

b)         The Department shall review each application, including required documents, for completeness and the accuracy of the statements contained in the application and required documents.  The Department's acceptance of an application shall be based on the applicant's compliance with the requirements of this Part.

c)         Each applicant shall be required to pass a written examination established by the Department.  The examination shall be based on the requirements of Section 1850.13(b).  The minimum passing score shall be 70% correct answers.  The Department retains the sole right to determine whether any or all responses to examination questions are correct.

d)         Any applicant whose application is denied shall be so informed in writing, within 30 days after the date the applicant is found to be not qualified. Reason(s) for such denial shall be included with the notification.  Each applicant who meets the requirements of subsection (a) above and who passes the examination required in subsection (b) above shall be issued a blaster certificate as soon as practicable thereafter, but not more than 45 days after the examination date.  Any applicant who meets the requirements of Section 1850.15(a), but who does not pass the examination, shall be so notified within 15 days after the examination date. That person may, upon written request, review his or her examination at the Department's Springfield office.  Such request must be made and the review completed not less than ten days prior to the reexamination date for which the applicant is scheduled.  The review must be done during the Department's regular business hours.  Any person who does not pass the examination shall be scheduled for the next reexamination session, pursuant to Section 1850.14(b).

e)         An employed blaster shall have readily available for inspection his or her certificate at the mine site.

f)         A temporary blaster certificate will be issued to any individual who applies to the Department for such certification and who provides a photocopy of his or her valid blaster certificate issued in another state with an Office of Surface Mining approved certification program, or the name of the state where the certificate was issued and the certificate number.  The period of the temporary blaster certificate shall not exceed six months from the date of issuance.  Such a temporary certificate shall be issued only once to any individual in any continuous five year period.

g)         Each certificate shall be valid for five years from the date of issuance.  Recertification following expiration shall be in accordance with the application, examination, and certification requirements of this Part.

h)         Blaster certification shall not be assigned or transferred.

i)          Blasters shall not delegate their responsibility to any individual who is not a certified blaster.

j)          The blaster shall take reasonable precaution to protect his or her certificate from loss, theft or unauthorized duplication.  Such loss, theft or duplication shall be reported to the Department without delay.

(Source:  Amended at 22 Ill. Reg. 20290, effective November 5, 1998)