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Review of Blasting Operations of Sntnmit Brick <br />Property Owner Concerns, 3.0 cony <br />3.1 Concerns of Property Owners: <br />Most people aze concerned when they learn that blasting will occur near their property. Like <br />scenes in old movies, people often perceive that blasting will throw rock everywhere and <br />threaten lives and property. An understanding of modem blasting technology as explained in <br />the following series of questions and answers regarding modem blasting methods will dispel <br />these false perceptions. <br />3.2 Common Blasting Questions and Answers: <br />Q. Why is blasting necessary? <br />A. In any kind of construction, quarrying, or mining operation, blasting is generally <br />considered the quickest and most cost effective method of removing rock. For many <br />projects, if explosives could not be used, costs would be unreasonably high and the project <br />might be abandoned. Blasting makes it possible for all of us to have new highways, <br />transportation systems, and improved utilities. It allows for residential development to <br />provide housing and commercial development to provide jobs. Blasting also results in more <br />affordable consumer prices for products that come from rock and other minerals. <br />Q. What's to prevent a blaster from going overboard and using more explosives than absolutely <br />necessary? <br />A. Mining Companies prefer to blast so that vibration levels are well below the <br />government's mandated or recommended limits. A Mine cannot stay in business without a <br />strong concern for public safety and a strict adherence to governmental regulations. <br />Furthermore, most blasting projects-hlce this one-develop strict contract specifications that <br />further assure that the contractor can not use excessive amounts of explosives. <br />Q. How much vibration will I feel If my house or business is near the blast sue? <br />A. Interestingly enough, normal household or office. activity like heavy footsteps or a <br />slaznming door will generally produce higher vibration readings on a seismograph than a <br />nearby blasting operation will. You should be awaze, however; that the human body does <br />detect extremely low levels of motion. You may feel vibration from the blast and hear some <br />noise. Occasionally, the airblast may rattle doors and windows. These vibration and noise <br />levels aze normaIly as harmless as those generated by routine, day-to-day activity around <br />your home or office. <br />Q. Does a blaster really have control over how match vibration and noise are generated by rile <br />explosives? <br />A. The primary factors affecting vibration and noise are within the blaster's control, including the <br />size of the explosive charges, and the timing sequence used to delay them. For factors outside the <br />blasier's control, such as weather and site conditions, experienced blasters know to anticipate and <br />24 <br />