CSCS Shot Firing key terms

A document issued by the licensing authority that authorises a named person to acquire, keep and use specified quantities of explosives for defined purposes, subject to stated conditions and a set expiry date.

The demonstrated combination of training, assessed knowledge, practical experience and current certification that qualifies a person to plan and fire shots safely and lawfully without supervision.

A bound, legible record in which every receipt, issue, return and disposal of explosives is entered, allowing stock levels to be reconciled at any time and discrepancies to be investigated.

The minimum permitted distance between a store of explosives and other buildings, boundaries, roads or occupied structures, set by regulation or standards according to the quantity and hazard division stored.

An incident involving explosives or firing that must be reported to the relevant regulator within a set time, such as a serious injury, a major misfire, or an unplanned explosion.

A substance that detonates at supersonic velocity when initiated, producing a shock wave and brisance, and which does not normally burn quietly when confined and ignited.

An explosive-class material, typically based on ammonium nitrate, that is insensitive enough to be transported and handled with reduced controls and usually requires a high explosive primer to initiate it reliably.

A small, sensitive explosive device used to initiate a larger charge, available in electric, non-electric and electronic forms, each with its own firing and safety characteristics.

A flexible plastic tube with a thin reactive lining that transmits an initiation signal along its length at low velocity without itself being classed as an explosive, used in non-electric systems.

A purpose-built store for explosives constructed and sited to regulatory standards, with controlled access, fire resistance, security and separation from occupied buildings and other hazards.

The maximum quantity of explosives permitted to be kept at a site or in a store at any one time, as specified in the licence or certificate conditions.

A classification grouping explosives by the type of hazard they present, such as mass explosion risk, projection risk or fire risk, which governs how they are stored, transported and segregated.

A charge of sensitive explosive, often a cartridge or cast booster, placed within or against a main charge and initiated by a detonator to reliably start detonation of the bulk explosive.

The distance from a charged hole to the nearest free face at the time of firing, which controls confinement and strongly influences fragmentation, flyrock and vibration outcomes.

The distance between adjacent charged holes in a pattern, chosen with burden to give the intended fragmentation and to avoid excessive confinement or charge concentration.

The mass of explosive used per unit volume or tonne of rock broken, a key design ratio used to compare patterns and predict fragmentation and vibration performance.

Inert material placed in the collar of a charged hole to confine the explosion gases, improve energy use and reduce flyrock, airblast and the risk of premature gas escape.

A defined area around a shot from which all unauthorised people and equipment are removed before firing, sized to cover flyrock, airblast and misfire hazards.

Competent persons posted at access points to an exclusion zone to prevent entry during charging and firing, and to confirm to the shot firer that all approaches are covered.

A distinct signal, such as a siren or horn, sounded before firing to alert people in the area that a shot is about to take place and that the exclusion zone is closed.

The documented sequence of actions taken when a charge fails to detonate as planned, including waiting times, exclusion of access, safe re-approach and treatment by a competent person.

A charge or part of a charge that continues to burn or detonate after the expected firing time, creating a serious hazard because the blast may occur unexpectedly during re-entry.

Rock thrown beyond the intended blast area by explosive energy, a major safety hazard controlled by adequate burden, stemming, accurate drilling and suitable exclusion distances.

Ground motion generated by a detonation and transmitted away from the shot, measured in peak particle velocity and managed by charge weight per delay and distance to sensitive receivers.

The maximum speed of ground movement recorded at a monitoring point during a blast, commonly expressed in millimetres per second and compared against site-specific limits.

The pressure wave in air produced by a blast, measured in decibels or millibars, which can rattle structures and disturb neighbours even where ground vibration is low.

An instrument placed at a sensitive location to record ground vibration and often air overpressure from each blast, providing evidence of compliance with imposed limits.

The formal written account of a shot covering design, quantities, charging details, firing times, monitoring results and any incidents, retained as required by licence conditions.

A structured record of any unplanned event such as a misfire, injury, flyrock escape or security breach, used for investigation, corrective action and regulatory notification.

The signal-carrying line or tube running from the firing point to the shot, laid and protected so that it cannot be damaged or initiate the shot unintentionally.

The designated location from which the shot firer initiates the blast, positioned outside the exclusion zone with a clear view or reliable communication to the sentries.

A documented description of a specific shot setting out hole layout, charge weights, initiation sequence, exclusion distances, controls and contingency arrangements before work begins.

The planned order and timing in which holes or groups of holes are initiated, used to control burden relief, fragmentation and vibration by separating charge weights in time.

A location such as a dwelling, school, hospital or protected structure where vibration, noise or dust effects must be limited and often monitored.

Measures such as water sprays, wetting of surfaces or blast timing controls used to limit airborne dust generated by drilling, charging and firing.

A short, focused briefing given to the crew before a task to confirm roles, hazards, controls and communication arrangements, recorded as evidence that information was passed on.