214Site preparation

214 Site preparation (1) Before charging operations begin, all tools, plant and equipment not required for the operation must be removed from the area being charged.

(2) When charges are being prepared and blast holes are being charged, no other work may be conducted within 10m of the charging operations. (3) Before charging blast holes— (a) blast holes must be thoroughly cleared of all debris, loose materials or any other obstruction; and (b) except for deck charges—care must be taken to avoid the presence of any extraneous matter between cartridges. deck charges means charges placed above a base charge at preselected intervals, if the charges are completely separated from the base charge and from each other.