Blaster Certification Examination

The examination is 3 hours long. It contains 51 questions and each question is worth 1 point. The required passing grade is 80%. The materials for your use during the examination are provided to you. They are: a pencil, a paper sheet, a calculator and an eraser. No other material or reference document is allowed during the examination.

Skill content on which questions may be based

Section 1 – Applying the Laws and Regulations for the Blaster Occupation (50%)

Understanding the general rules for Handling and Using Explosives
Distinguishing between the Various Explosives Permits
Understanding the Laws and Regulations for: Transporting Explosives
Handling Explosives
Storing Explosives
Drilling
Loading Blastholes
Firing Explosives

Section 2 – Performing Drilling Operations (10%)

Calculating a Drilling Pattern
Preparing the ground for Drilling
Planning Accesses and Access limitations
Preparing and Inspecting the Equipment
Measuring and Marking the Drilling pattern
Drilling with Various types of Drill Rigs
Checking, Cleaning out and Rectifying the holes
Keeping a Drilling record

Section 3 – Performing blasting operations (40%)

Knowledge of the Characteristics and Usage conditions of Various Types of Explosives and their accessories
Setting Blasting Parameters
Calculating the necessary Quantity of Explosives for Blasting
Calculating Vibrations
Organizing the Work to be done
Knowledge of the Rules for Ensuring Blasting Safety
Planning the Blast
Preparing the equipment (Blasting machines, Blasting mats, etc.) for Blasting
Developing the Blasting plan
Establishing the delay pattern
Establishing a connection plan
Calculating resistance and voltage
Loading the holes
Firing procedure

Samples of questions for provincial qualification examination.

Blaster Certification Examination

Skill content on which questions may be based

Section 1 – Applying the Laws and Regulations for the Blaster Occupation (50%)

Section 2 – Performing Drilling Operations (10%)

Section 3 – Performing blasting operations (40%)

Suggested documentation