W. Va. Code R. § 38-2C-5 - Examination for certification of Examiner/Inspector and Certified Blaster

5.1. Examinations for Certified Blaster Examiners/Inspectors -- All persons employed by the Division of Environmental Protection, whose duties include, training, examining and certification of blasters and/or inspecting blasting operations shall be a certified examiner/inspector. Certification under the provisions of this subsection does not constitute certification under the provisions of subsection 5.2 of this rule; however, certification under subsection 5.2 of this rule is sufficient for certification under this subsection. The examination for certified examiner/inspector shall at a minimum test the applicant's knowledge of the infoarmation presented in the Study Guide for West Virginia Surface Mine Blasters, and shall consist of three parts:

5.1. Part 1: A written multiple choice examination covering:

5.1.a. Types of explosives and their properties, to include selection of appropriate explosives;

5.1.b. Blasting equipment and accessories, to include blasting machines;

5.1.c. Blast dimensions and calculations, to include geologic and topographic considerations, blast hole design, flyrock control, secondary blasting, and blast plans;

5.1.d. Delay systems, to include pattern design, field layout, and initiation systems;

5.1.e. Timing;

5.1.f. Blast vibration and vibration control, to include airblast, monitoring techniques, and use of preblast surveys;

5.1.g. Loading and detonating, to include priming, scheduling, site control, warning signals, and unpredictable hazards;

5.1.h. Storage and transportation of explosives;

5.1.i. Record keeping and reporting;

5.1.j. Current State and Federal laws and regulations relating to the storage, handling, transportation, and use of explosives; the training and certification of blasting personnel, and blasting signs; and

5.1.k. Responsibilities of a certified blaster.

5.1.b. Part 2: A written simulation whereby the applicant must correctly and properly complete a blasting log.

5.1.c. Part 3: A hands-on simulation whereby the applicant must demonstrate the ability to properly connect a blast, simulate a selected initiation system, and simulate detonating a blast.

5.1.d. A score of 70 percent (70%) for part 1, and satisfactorily completion of parts 2 and 3 are required for successful passage of the examination. An individual who fails to achieve a passing score may retake the examination subject to the discretion of the Director.

5.2. Examination for Certified Blaster. - The examination for certified blaster shall include information presented in the Study Guide for West Virginia Surface Mine Blasters, and shall consist of three (3) parts:

5.2.a. Part 1: A written multiple choice examination covering:

5.2.a.1. Types of explosives and their properties, to include selection of appropriate explosive(s);

5.2.a.2. Blasting equipment and accessories, to include blasting machines;

5.2.a.3. Blast dimensions and calculations, to include geologic and topographic considerations, blast hole design, flyrock control, secondary blasting, and blast plans;

5.2.a.4. Delay systems, to include pattern design, field layout, and initiation systems;

5.2.a.5. Timing;

5.2.a.6. Blast vibration and vibration control, to include airblast, monitoring techniques, and use of preblast surveys;

5.2.a.7. Loading and detonating, to include priming, scheduling, site control, warning signals, and unpredictable hazards;

5.2.a.8. Storage and transportation of explosives;

5.2.a.9. Record keeping and reporting;

5.2.a.10. Current State and Federal laws and regulations relating to the handling, storage, transportation, and use of explosives; the training and certification of blasting personnel, and blasting signs; and

5.2.a.11. Responsibilities of a certified blaster.

5.2.b. Part 2: A simulation examination whereby the applicant must correctly and properly complete a blasting log.

5.2.c. Part 3: A hands-on simulation whereby the applicant must demonstrate the ability to properly connect a blast, simulate a selected initiation system, and simulate detonating a blast.

5.2.d. A score of 80 percent (80%) for part 1, and a "passing grade" on parts 2 and 3, which are graded on a pass/fail basis, are required for "successful passage of the examination.

5.3. Notification of Scores. The Division of Environmental Protection will notify all persons of their scores within 30 days of completing the examination. A person who fails to achieve a passing score of any of the three (3) parts of the examination, may apply after thirty (30) days of receipt of his or her examination results to retake the entire examination or any portions that the individual failed to pass.

Any person who fails to pass the exam on the second attempt must certify that he/she has taken or retaken the training course described in Section 4 of this rule prior to applying for another examination.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 38-2C-5