7 CCR 1101-9-7-2 - Training Requirements

(A) Type II Avalanche Mitigation permit applicants shall submit a training program for personnel involved in the use, storage and transportation of explosives to the Division. The Division shall approve the training program prior to issuance of the permit.

(B) The training program shall include at least the following for each personnel type:

(1) Blaster in Training:

(i) A minimum of 8 hours of classroom education and a written examination to include the following:

(a) Explosives Regulations of the Division

(b) Explosives Regulations of the Division and federal requirements for the storage of explosives and magazine locations, inventory procedures, and magazine access

(c) Safety procedures for explosives and blasting agents used within the company, including the properties and classification of each type of explosive, and consequences of the unsafe use of explosives

(d) Explosives Regulations of the Division for preparing, handling, and using hand charges to include:

(1) Hand charge assembly procedures for both field arming and make-up room arming;

(2) Crimping procedures;

(3) Transportation to blast site by skiing or aerial tramways for both field armed charges and make-up room armed charges;

(4) Use of igniters and determining successful initiation of fuse;

(5) Misfire procedures;

(6) Procedures for clearing and guarding the blasting area; and

(7) Deployment of initiated hand charges.

(e) Hazard training for cornice control operations

(f) Hang cord entanglement safety procedures

(g) Hazard training for avalauncher operations

(h) Record keeping procedures, including:

(1) Records of transactions;

(2) Explosive inventory record keeping;

(3) Explosive use and route log record keeping; and

(4) Misfire documentation.

(ii) Simulated Field Training for Hand Charges

(a) During weather conditions typical to avalanche mitigation and under the supervision of a blaster, the trainee shall:

(1) Attend demonstration with simulated components;

(2) Attach igniters to fuse without a detonator and successfully ignite fuse not less than 5 times;

(3) Attach igniters to fuse without a detonator and twice simulate an unsuccessful attempt to light the fuse and follow the procedures for a misfire;

(4) Attach igniters to fuse with a detonator and successfully ignite and deploy the detonator and fuse assembly not less than 5 times; and

(5) When training occurs at operations not utilizing a pre-manufactured detonator and safety fuse assembly, assemble detonator and fuse, attach igniters to fuse with detonator and successfully initiate and deploy the detonator and fuse assembly not less than 5 times.

(iii) Field Experience Training for Hand Charges

(a) Under the supervision of a blaster, the trainee shall:

(1) Accompany a blasting crew on 5 routes or the deployment of not less than 20 charges as an observer;

(2) Accompany a blaster, as an assistant only, for the initiation and deployment of not less than 20 charges; and

(3) Accompany a blaster and initiate and deploy not less than 20 charges under the direct supervision of the blaster.

(iv) Avalauncher Operator

(a) Trainee shall complete 8 hours classroom and field training before becoming an avalauncher operator. This training shall include:

(1) Operating instructions for each type of avalauncher used;

(2) Procedures on performing preventive maintenance inspections;

(3) Procedures on assembly of charges;

(4) Procedures for checking the elevation, aiming, and pressure settings of the avalauncher;

(5) Procedures for test firing the avalauncher;

(6) Procedures for loading charges in the avalauncher;

(7) Procedures for clearing and guarding the target area;

(8) Emergency procedures; and

(9) Requirements for securing the equipment.

(b) Qualifications for avalauncher operator shall be:

(1) One year experience as a blaster in charge;

(2) Must have assisted on the avalauncher crew not less than five times; and

(3) Must load and fire the avalauncher under the supervision of a qualified operator not less than 10 times.

(2) Howitzer Operator

(i) All Howitzer operations shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of The Avalanche Artillery Users of North America Committee (AAUNAC) Standard (Revised May 16, 2012).

(3) Requirements for Annual Refresher Training

(i) All blasters shall attend a minimum of 4 hours of refresher training at the beginning of each season.

(a) Classroom training shall include:

(1) Review of operation techniques such as throwing techniques, air blasting, dangling charges, hang cord entanglement safety procedures, cornice blasting, avalauncher and howitzer procedures;

(2) Review of assembly and transportation procedures; and

(3) Review of snow safety program.

(b) Field training shall include:

(1) Review of initiation techniques;

(2) Review of misfire procedures; and

(3) A walk through of storage and make-up facilities.

(ii) Annual refresher training may count towards the 16-hour requirement of Section 3.6 of these rules when the refresher training program is specifically approved by the Division.

Notes

7 CCR 1101-9-7-2

38 CR 03, February 10, 2015, effective 3/10/2015 41 CR 21, November 10, 2018, effective 12/1/2018 42 CR 06, March 25, 2019, effective 5/1/2019