Record Keeping, Competence and Communication
Good shotfiring is documented and communicated. Records typically include: the shotfirer's appointment and competence evidence; the blast design and any changes; the charging record (holes, quantities, delays); stock records and reconciliations; the pre-blast check and clearance; misfire and incident reports; monitoring results; and training records. Records must be accurate, legible, contemporaneous and retained per the site's and regulator's requirements.
Competence means the shotfirer is trained, experienced, appointed in writing and supervised as appropriate; they must understand the site rules and know when to stop. Communication covers the blast warning signals, the exclusion-zone briefing, liaison with neighbours and the emergency services, and clear handover between shifts. Toolbox talks and pre-blast briefings are part of the control regime.
Traps: treating records as paperwork rather than evidence; assuming competence is only a certificate; and failing to record a change to the design or a near miss. A near miss is a free lesson and should be recorded and reviewed.
Rule of thumb: if it isn't recorded, it didn't happen - write it down at the time, sign it, and keep it.
Worked example: a shot is fired with a reduced charge per delay to stay within vibration limits. The change, the reason and the monitoring result are recorded and signed by the shotfirer.