(a) Before firing any blast, all means of access to the danger zone, the extent of which shall be determined by the Blaster, shall be effectively guarded to exclude all unauthorized personnel. At least one minute, but not more than two minutes before the detonation of a blast, the Blaster or someone directed by the Blaster shall give an audible warning signal. If the blast is not detonated within two minutes of the audible warning signal, the warning signal shall be repeated as required by this paragraph before the blast is detonated. Upon the sounding of the warning signal, all persons shall retire to a safe shelter. No blast shall be fired while any person is in the danger zone. After the blast has been detonated and the Blaster has determined that the blast area is safe to re-enter, an audible all-clear signal shall be given. Warning and all-clear signals shall be different in character and audible within one- quarter mile of the blasting site.
(b) The Blaster shall use standard warning and all-clear signals to be produced by an air horn or similar device. The warning signal, to be sounded one or two minutes before the blast, shall consist of three long reports, each lasting at least five seconds. The all-clear signal shall consist of one long report lasting at least five seconds.
(c) It shall be the responsibility of the Blaster to safeguard pedestrians and other highway users and their vehicles from injury or damage due to blasting operations. When the blast area is within 300 feet of a public road or highway, the Blaster, just prior to the blast, shall designate a sufficient number of the Blaster's employees, each carrying an approved red warning flag or sign, to stop all vehicular and pedestrian traffic on each possible route of travel in the vicinity of the blast area until the blast has been fired. Qualified employees shall be dispatched to predetermined points on the highways to prevent vehicles from entering the danger zone. A check shall be made of the public roads and highways in the danger zone to insure that there are no parked vehicles or pedestrians who would be endangered by the blast.
(Ord. 01-110. Passed 8-16-01.)