DIRECTIONS FOR USING DYNAMITE, &c.

Kumara Times, Issue 1064, 27 February 1880, Page 4

DIRECTIONS FOR USING DYNAMITE, &c.

As dynamite is now being used very extensivly in mining operations and for blasting purposes, the following directions how to ÜBe the various explosive compounds, we take from the Ballarat Star of the fth January : As the use of nitro -glycerine compounds (lithofractuer, dynamite, &o.) by persons who are acquainted with their special properties is a frequent cause of accident, the inspector of explosives and analyat to the mining department, Mr J. Cosmo Newbery, has framed the following suggestions for the guidance of those who employ these compounds in mining pursuits.

1. In mines these explosives should be kept in a metal box with a hinged cover. 2. Frozen cartridges should be thawed in a double metal box, _the outer compartment being filled with warm water. 3. Frozen cartridges should not be placed on any metal j stone, or brickwork directly heated by fire. 4. Frozen cartridges should not be placed in bore-holes, as they are not exploded by ordinary detonators. 5. Packages containing cartridges mast be kept dry. 6. Packages shewing any exterior water damage should be carefully examined to see if any nitro-glycerine had exuded from the cartridges. 7. Damaged packages must not be struck with any metal or hard substance or roughly handled. 8. Any nitro-glycerine which has exuded from cartridges should be absorbed by some soft; dry substance, such as infusorial earth, Bawdust, or blotting paper.

9. Waste material containing nitroglycerine and fragments of cartrides must not be thrown into water; they should be deßtroved by firing with a detonator, or by mixing them with an excess of sulphate of iron (copperas) or by burning in sfeairquantities;afc a time in an open fire. 10. In burning the waste care should be taken not to inhale the fumes. The fume or vapor of nitro-glycerine is more poisonous than the substance itself. 11. Bore-holes in wet ground should not be bored upwards. 12. In wet ground a hole must not be put in below a missed shot.

13. Missed shots must not be bored o*t 14. Charges in wet ground Bhould be fired directly after charging. 15. Powder must not be charged on top of dynamite or lithofracteur.

16. Charges should always be fired by a detonator.

17. The-primer with cap affixed must never be rammed.

18. The cartridges should pass easily to the bottom of the bore hole. Cartridges that fit the hole tightly must rot be forced down by ram ming.