Not having a blast
August 27, 2010 By: Pit & Quarry StaffAt Route 221 Stone Quarry in Washington County, Pa., which is operated by Connellsville-based Fayette Coal and Coke Co., an errant blast sent an 80-lb. chunk of flyrock crashing into someone’s house a quarter mile away. Its contractor, Senex Explosives, set off the blast, according to newspaper reports. With today’s sophisticated blasting techniques and emphasis on safety, I bet you’re wondering how a chunk that big was launched so far, with the potential for so much damage. Speculation is that the blast might have been helped along a bit by methane gas, but the event is under investigation. All I know is, one chunk of 80-lb. flyrock from one blast under a strange set of circumstances, and the media reports that follow, are enough to undo years worth of safe blasting and put a quarry’s entire drilling and blasting program under intense scrutiny. Take time to tout the safety and effectiveness of your blasting program in advance so you have a track record to run on. You may need it up the road. – Mark S. Kuhar
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