Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Earthwork and Blasting
Earthwork and Blasting
WANG HUI
CONTENT
1. Introduction
2. Programme Reference
4. Manpower
7. Appendix
1. Introduction
This method statement describes the earthworks operations for the construction of
underground sewerage treatment plant and the scope of work including deep excavation
varying from 18m to 22.5m from the existing ground level, rock blasting and hacking
works for limestone and disposal of excavated materials to dumping site by licensed
trucks.
i ) Excavation Works
The deep excavation requires much attention to structural and geotechnical expertise
as well as contractor itself. The consideration involved in design and planning of
contiguous bore pile, skin wall, temporary steel strutting, dewatering of ground water,
temporary access road and temporary drainage system contributed to safety and
economic aspect which should be emphasized during early stage of underground deep
excavation works. In engineering aspect, the deep excavation will induce stresses in the
ground mass around the excavation changes. The most common changes in stresses in the
retained side are the stresses relieved on the excavation face resulting in the horizontal
ground movement and being followed by vertical movement for equilibrium. It increases
vertical stress due to lowering water table resulting in both immediate and consolidated
settlement of the ground. Improper sequence of excavation will contribute damage to
surrounding or adjacent building and property..
ii) Rock Blasting Works
This method statement describes the rock blasting works below existing ground
level within the project site. Blasting is performed to loosen rock in order that it may be
excavated or removed from its existing position. Blasting is accomplished by discharging
on an explosive that has been placed in a hole especially provided for this purpose. The
energy associated with an explosion is the result of the pressure produced in the gases
that are formed by the explosive.
1. Programme Reference
• Master Construction Programme is referred.
3. List of Construction Machinery / Equipment Used
NO DESCRIPTION CAPACITY/SPEC QUANTITY
UNITS
1 Hydraulic Excavator EX 300 3
EX 200 (Long Arm) 2
EX 100 (Long Arm) 2
2 Licensed Truck 10 Wheelers 30
3 Back pusher New Holland 1
4 Hydraulic Crawler Drill Tamrock / Furukawa 1
5 Hydraulic Breaker Atlas Copco 20 tons to 40 tons 3
6 Water Pump Electric Submersible Pump 6”to 12” 3
7 Air Compressor Airman 1
4. Manpower
No. Description No. Remarks
1 Site Agent 1
2 Site Supervisor 1
3 Land Surveyor 1
4 Blasting Supervisor 1
5 Shot Firer 1
6 Site Foreman 1
7 Machine Operator 9
8 Lorry Driver 30
9 General Worker 10
1. Purpose
The purpose of this procedure is to identify and explain the tasks and considerations
necessary to perform safe, legal and successful blasting operations at Batu Sewerage
Treatment Plant Project, Jinjang, Kepong
2. Scope
This procedure applies to all personnel involved in the blasting operations of the
project.
3. Responsibilities
Skill Status Sdn Bhd is appointed as an earthwork sub-contractor and responsible to
carry out proper and successful rock blasting operations for the project.
4. Procedure
• Pre-study on the rock blasting site and surrounding area will be carried out to
determine the design of drill holes diameter and depth, spacing, burden, stemming and
direction of blasting while determining the number of drill holes to be drilled and blasted.
The blasting supervisor should develop a blasting plan prior to conducting drilling and
blasting operation. The blast plan is a blasting design which graphically depicts the blast
holes layout, load factors and timing sequence of a blasting operation. The blast plan
should include the information such as date, shot time, location, purpose of shot, number
of holes, hole diameter, average depth of hole, number of rows, spacing, burden, design
powder factor, type of powder, initiation method, total caps, depth per hole, powder per
hole and estimate volume of rock to be shot. A trial blasting will be carried out at the
beginning stage to reconfirm the suitability of the blast design.
• The location and distance of the blasting area towards the structure such as CBP
wall and surrounding building have to take into consideration of fly rock, noise and
ground vibration control. Prior to the initiation of blast, the blasting area will be covered
up with blasting mats such as overburden, sand beg, wire mesh or steel plate to avoid fly
rock damaging the CBP wall and surrounding structure or building..
• The name and contact number of nearest hospital, fire department, police station
and key personnel involved in the blasting works such as project manager, safety officer,
blasting supervisor and shot firer need to be written down in the project Emergency
Response Plan (ERP) for an incident or emergency case action plan.
The blasting supervisor is required to notify all relevant personnel or party involved
in the project regarding the “notice of intent to conduct blasting operation” 24 hours in
advance and the notice should include the following information;
(i) Date of planned blasting,
(ii) Location of blasting operations,
(iii) Estimate shot time,
(iv) Affected buildings and areas.
(v) Any relevant restrictions (access or others).
• The blasting supervisor needs to communicate closely with the project manager
and safety officer in carrying out each blasting work. Before carrying out each blasting
works, the blasting supervisor will carry out blast site checking according to blasting
checklist for all the drilled holes to avoid deviation and to clear any blockage before
charging the drilled holes with a detonator, explosive and stemming works.After
completion of charging works, the blasting supervisor has to ensure all the surface
nonelectric initiation systems are correctly and properly installed. All the blasting details
such as number and depth of drilled holes and amount of explosive used will be recorded
in the blast diary for each blast.
• The delivery of explosive to the project blasting site for each blast will be
transported from Tenaga Kimia explosive magazine located in Batu Arang, Selangor and
the delivery of explosives will be accompanied by a police officer for each blast, and the
balance of explosive will be returned to Tenaga Kimia explosives magazine immediately.
The used quantity of explosives shall be properly recorded for each blast.
• All entrance to the project site will be temporarily blocked and closed to avoid
unauthorized person entering the blasting site before blasting operation.
• The blasting supervisor will signal by showing his green flag and call upon the
attention of shot firer through. During this time, the blasting supervisor should have
connected all the circuits to ensure that blasting can be initiated.
• The shot firer will then signal their green flags in response to their blasting
supervisor.
• The siren will be switched on and then flag signal will be shown to shot firer for
simultaneous ignition.
• During this time, there will be at least two minutes given to allow the workers to
clear the blasting site.
• The blasting supervisor at this point must ensure that all site personnel has reached
safe shelter and no outsiders can enter the blasting area. The blasting supervisor should
then inform the shot firer to initiate the blasting operation.
• Actual blasting of rock will take a matter of few seconds. Shot firer will make an
effort to count the number of drilled holes blasted. The shot firer will then stop the siren
after ensuring that the blasting is over. At least 30 minutes after the blasting, the shot firer
will return to blasting site to check for any misfire, hanging unfallen loosen rock pieces
occurred.
• After the blasting supervisor is satisfied with the blasting, he will then signal to the
siren operator to switch off the siren to indicate the completion of the blast. All road
block shall then be removed.
• Blasting supervisor has to ensure the following items are checked before
commencing the blasting operation;
(i) Two sets of red and green flags.
(ii) Siren to be in good working condition.
(iii) Sufficient safety helmet and safety shoes for site personnel.
(iv) Instruction is given to the safety officer to avoid unauthorized personnel
entering the blasting site.
(v) Blasting shall be carried out at a suitable time (before 4 pm)
(vi) Walkie talkie or hand phone in good working condition.
(vii) Shot firer needs to ensure all the blasting accessories are in proper working
order.
(viii) Blasting supervisor should do the final checking of the drill hole to ensure
correct connecting series and properly charged.
(ix) Blasting supervisor has to ensure no hanging and loosen rocks at the blasting
site.
5. Definition
• Blast Area
The area is close to a blast, which may be influenced by flyrock.
• Blast Holes.
A hole drilled in rock for the placement of explosives.
• Blasting Agent
An explosive that meets prescribed criteria for insensitivity to initiation.
• Blasting Cap
A device used to initiate explosives.
• Blasting Circuit
The electric circuit used to fire one or more electric detonators.
• Blasting Diary
Diary is kept at work site containing all information about each blast.
• Blasting Mat
A covering such as steel plate, wire mesh or sand bags placed over a blast to hold
down fly rock.
• Burden
The distance in feet from an explosive charge, in the direction of relief, to the
nearest free or open space.
• Detonator
Devise containing a detonating charge that is used to initiate an explosive.
• Fly Rock
Rock material is forcefully displaced and sent hurling through the air by an
explosive detonation.
• Magazine
An approved facility for the storage of explosives
• Misfire
The unsuccessful or incomplete detonation of an explosive charge.
•Shot
Common technical term for a planned explosive detonation.
• Shot Firer
A Person who actually fires the blast.
• Shot Time
The time when an explosive detonation is scheduled to take place.
• Stemming
An insert material used to confine or separate explosives in a borehole.
• Spacing
The distance between blast holes in a row.