(1)The preparation of charges and the charging and stemming of holes shall be carried out by or under the personal Supervision of a competent person, in these regulations referred to as a shotfirer, who shall fire the shots himself.(2)No person shall be appointed to be a shotfirer unless he holds -(a)a manager's or overman's certificate or a sirdar's certificate together with a gas testing Certificate in case of belowground mines; and(b)a manager's, overman's or a sirdar's certificate in the case of open cast working.(3)The competent person appointed as shotfirer shall not be given any other duty nor any one performing any other duty shall be allowed to perform shotfiring.(4)No person whose wages depend on the amount of mineral, rock or debris obtained by firing shots, shall be appointed to perform the duties of a shot-firer.(5)The manger shall fix, from time to time, the maximum number of shots that a shotfirer may fire in anyone shift and such number shall be based on-(a)the time normally require to prepare and fire a shot in accordance with the provisions of these regulations;(b)the time required for that shotfirer to move between places where shots are fired;(c)the assistance, if any, available to him in the performance of his said duties; and(d)any other duties assigned to him, whether statutory or otherwise, and shall not in any case exceed-(i)in the case of a gassy seam of second or third degree or a fiery seam, forty, if a single shot exploder is used and eighty; if a multi-shot exploder is used;(ii)in the case of other seams fifty, if a single-shot exploder is used and hundred, if a multi-shot exploder is used; and(iii)in the case of open cast mines sixty, if a single shot exploder is used or if blasting is done with ordinary detonators and one hundred and twenty, if a multi-shot exploder is used:Provided that if thirty or more persons are employed belowground at anyone time in any mine or district under the charge of any official who is qualified to perform the duties of the shotfirer, such official shall not fire or be permitted to fire more than half the maximum number of shots specified in sub-clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) depending on the category of the seam or mine specified therein:Provided further that where special conditions exist, the Regional Inspector may by an order in writing and subject to such conditions as he may specify therein permit a larger maximum number to be fixed:Provided also that where the Regional Inspector is of the opinion that, for the proper observance of the provisions of these regulations the number of shots so fired shall be reduced, and if he so required by an order in writing, the manager shall fix a lower maximum number of shots as specified by the Regional Inspector.(6)The number of detonators issued to, and in the possession of, a shotfirer during his shift shall not exceed the maximum number of shots that he is permitted to fire under sub-regulation(5).
