Mining›SWMS

Shotfiring SWMS

Shotfiring is the controlled initiation of explosives charges to fragment rock and is one of the most tightly regulated activities in Australian mining. The shotfirer bears personal legal responsibility for the safety of every blast, including exclusion zone establishment, clearance verification, initiation system integrity, and post-blast inspection for misfires. Misfires — charges that fail to detonate — create one of the most dangerous situations in mining because undetonated explosives may be encountered by excavation equipment during subsequent mucking operations. The nitrogen dioxide WEL reduction from 3 to 0.5 ppm will extend blast re-entry times and require enhanced atmospheric monitoring. This SWMS covers blast preparation, initiation, and post-blast procedures.

Legal Requirements

regulation

WHS Regulation 2025 Part 9 — Explosives; State mining legislation — licensed shotfirer required

hrcw category

Blasting and explosives work (shotfirer licence required)

code of practice

Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals (binding July 2026); State blasting codes

section 26a binding

Yes — Hazardous Chemicals code binding July 2026. State shotfiring requirements apply.

Hazards

Hazard	Consequence	Likelihood
Premature detonation during initiation system connection and testing	Fatal blast injuries, multiple casualties	Unlikely
Misfire leaving undetonated explosives in blast pattern	Unplanned detonation during excavation, fatalities	Possible
Blast fume — NO2 and CO — in underground workings after blasting	Pulmonary oedema, asphyxiation, death	Possible
Flyrock ejection beyond exclusion zone boundaries	Fatal blunt trauma to persons, property damage	Unlikely
Exclusion zone breach by unauthorised persons during blast	Fatal blast injuries, flyrock injuries	Unlikely

Controls (Hierarchy of Controls)

Only licensed shotfirers with current authority may conduct blast initiation

Verify exclusion zone is clear of all persons using tag board, radio confirmation, and visual check

Test initiation system continuity and resistance before connecting to exploder or firing line

Conduct post-blast inspection for misfires using blast pattern records and visual examination

Monitor NO2 and CO concentrations at re-entry points before permitting return to blast area

Implement misfire management procedure including minimum waiting periods and specialist recovery

Record all blast details including charge weights, timing, results, and any incidents in the blast register

Recent Prosecutions

Misfire incident — underground gold mine WA$390,000

Undetonated explosives from a misfire were encountered by a bogger operator during mucking, resulting in an unplanned detonation. The shotfirer had not conducted a post-blast inspection and the misfire was not identified. Two workers were injured.

2024 — DMIRS Western Australia Prosecution Database

What Your SWMS Must Include

✓Exclusion zone establishment procedure with clearance verification using tag board and radio confirmation

✓Initiation system testing procedure — continuity checks, resistance measurements, firing circuit verification

✓Post-blast misfire inspection procedure with minimum waiting periods and recovery methods

✓Blast fume re-entry procedure requiring atmospheric monitoring for NO2 and CO below WEL

✓Blast register requirements recording all blast parameters and outcomes

Need a compliant Shotfiring SWMS?

Our WHS consultants develop shotfiring SWMS with exclusion zone procedures, misfire management protocols, and blast fume re-entry requirements.