Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations apply to the keeping, handling and use of explosives (including detonators) at quarries (regulation 3), subject to the exceptions specified in that regulation.
The Regulations—
impose duties on the owners of quarries at which explosives and detonators are used with respect to the appointment of quarry managers and the provision of facilities and equipment relating to the carrying out of safe shotfiring operations (regulation 4);
impose duties on quarry managers with respect to the keeping, handling and use of explosives and detonators and the carrying out of shotfiring operations (regulation 5);
impose restrictions on persons who may handle explosives and detonators (regulation 6);
impose requirements on quarry managers with respect to the appointment of shotfirers and trainee shotfirers and impose restrictions on who may fire shots (regulation 7);
impose duties on shotfirers with respect to the firing of shots (regulation 8);
impose duties on quarry managers and shotfirers with respect to the use of exploders (regulation 9);
impose duties on quarry managers and shotfirers in the event of misfires (regulation 10);
impose restrictions in connection with the charging, firing and priming of shots (regulation 11);
specify prohibited activities near explosives and detonators (regulation 12).
The Regulations provide for the issue of certificates of exemption by the Health and Safety Executive (regulation 13) and modify sections 102(2) and 103(2) of the Mines and Quarries Act 1954 so that persons treated as quarry managers for the purposes of that Act and regulations made thereunder are treated as quarry managers for the purposes of these Regulations (regulation 14). The Regulations also disapply section 157 of the Mines and Quarries Act 1954 (defence in certain legal proceedings) in relation to any legal proceedings or prosecution arising out of these Regulations (regulation 15).
The Regulations revoke Regulation 11 of the Quarries (General) Regulations 1956, the Quarries (Explosives) Regulations 1959 and the Tregargus Quarry (Explosives) Special Regulations 1960 and provide that any reference to the Mines and Quarries Act 1954, the Mines and Quarries (Tips) Act 1969 or the Mines (Management) Act 1971 in any of those Acts, in regulations made under any of those Acts, or in health and safety regulations, shall be treated as including a reference to these Regulations (regulation 16).