CSCS Shot Firing study plan

Map the statutory duties of the shot firer against the relevant explosives legislation and store the map as a one-page reference

Explain, in writing, the licensing and authorisation routes that apply to acquiring, keeping and using explosives for shot firing

List the record-keeping and notification obligations triggered by a shot firing operation and note who each is owed to

Define the role boundaries between shot firer, site manager and explosives supervisor using the regulatory framework

Classify the main explosive types used in shot firing by sensitivity, velocity and typical application

Describe the compatibility grouping rules that govern how explosives are segregated in a magazine

Outline the storage controls (security, quantity limits, separation distances, inventory) required for a licensed magazine

Summarise the transport requirements for explosives including vehicle marking, documentation and segregation from detonators

Compare shock-tube, electronic and detonating-cord initiation systems on timing accuracy, cost and misfire risk

Trace the firing circuit from power source through the shot firer's control point to the detonator and identify each failure point

Describe the pre-firing checks performed on the firing line and circuit before connection to the power source

Explain the testing and fault-finding steps for a circuit that fails a continuity check

Calculate a basic charge weight using powder factor for a given hole diameter, burden and spacing

Explain how burden, spacing and stemming length interact to control confinement and fragmentation

Describe the charging sequence and stemming requirements for a typical bench blast

Identify the design errors that most commonly cause overbreak, poor fragmentation or cut-off holes

Define the exclusion zone for a blast and justify its radius against flyrock, airblast and misfire risk

Write the step-by-step procedure for a misfire, from detection through re-entry, re-treatment and reporting

Describe the emergency response sequence for an unplanned detonation or a suspected unexploded charge

List the site controls that prevent unauthorised entry to the exclusion zone before, during and after firing

Explain how vibration, airblast, flyrock, noise and dust are each predicted, monitored and controlled at a shot firing site

Describe the purpose of a blast vibration monitor and how the recorded data informs the next blast design

Outline the environmental controls applied to dust suppression and noise limitation around a blast

Apply the exclusion-zone and environmental controls to a scenario involving a blast near a sensitive receptor

Draft the records a shot firer must complete for a blast, including the blast record, magazine inventory and misfire report

Describe how competence is demonstrated and maintained for shot firing roles

Explain the communication chain for a blast from planning through clearance to all-clear

Identify the records that must be retained and for how long, and who may access them

Review all seven domains against the study materials and flag any weak areas for targeted revision

Complete a timed mock exam under exam conditions and score it by domain

Revisit the two lowest-scoring domains and close the knowledge gaps identified

Consolidate the key facts, formulas and procedures into a single revision sheet