HB 1330 -- Explosive Blasters

Sponsor:  Selby

This bill establishes requirements for the regulation and
certification of explosive blasters.  Application for
certification is made to the Division of Fire Safety, Office of
the State Fire Marshal.  The application must include an
application fee and must affirm that the applicant:

(1)  Has familiarity and understanding of laws relating to
explosives;

(2)  Has not been convicted of a felony;

(3)  Has completed an approved blaster's training course and
passed the certification examination;

(4)  Has two years or 2,000 hours of experience in the use of
explosives;

(5)  Has not been found to be mentally defective; and

(6)  Does not support or belong to an organization that supports
the overthrow of or action against any government.

Certification is good for three years; recertification requires
eight hours of a training course or seminar and a letter from the
blaster's supervisor confirming that the blaster works with
blasting or explosives.  Certification must be posted at the
blaster's work site or carried by the blaster and is good for the
entire state; certified blasters are not required to obtain any
additional local licenses or certifications.  Certification is
not assignable or transferrable.

The division may revoke or suspend a certificate.  The bill
provides for an appeal process for revocation, suspension, or
denial of certification.

Under the bill, the division will review applications, issue
approvals for blaster training courses, and provide a standard
certification examination to applicants.

Violations of the bill are, for a first offense, a class C
misdemeanor; for a second offense, a class B misdemeanor; and for
a third offense, a class A misdemeanor.  Persons blasting or
using explosives under the direct supervision of a certified
blaster are not in violation.  The following uses of explosives
are exempt from the penalty provisions:  in laboratories for
teaching or research, in government training or emergency
operation, by the U.S. military, as fireworks, as small arms
ammunition, within an industrial furnace, and by public
utilities.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:01 am