(1)No shot shall be fired except by means of a suitable shotfiring apparatus of a type approved by the Chief Inspector and the number of shots fired at any one time by the apparatus shall not exceed the number for which it is designed.(2)Every electrical shotfiring apparatus shall be so constructed and used that -(a)it can only be operated by a removable handle or plug;(b)the handle or plug shall not be placed in position until a shot is about to be fired and shall be removed as soon as a shot has been fired; and(c)the firing circuit is made and broken either automatically or by means of a push-button switch.(3)No apparatus shall be used which is defective and every apparatus shall once at least in every three months, be cleaned and thoroughly overhauled by the manufacturer or his authorised representative.(4)If the apparatus fails to fire all the shots in a properly connected circuit, the shotfirer shall return the apparatus to the manger or assistant manager as soon as possible, and it shall not be used again unless it has been tested on the surface and found to be in safe working order.(5)The result of every overhaul, test or repair made under sub-regulation (4) shall be recorded in a bound paged book kept for the purpose and shall be signed and dated by the person making the overhaul, test or repair.(6)No current from a signaling, lighting or power circuit shall be used for firing shots.(7)The Shotfirer shall -(a)retain the key of the firing apparatus in his possession throughout his shift;(b)use a well-insulated cable of sufficient length to permit him to take proper shelter and in case of belowground working sufficient to take two right angle turns of pillar, and in no case, shall this cable be less than 50 meters in length;(c)before coupling the cable to the firing apparatus, couple up the cable itself to the detonator leads;(d)take care to prevent the cable from coming into contact with any power or lighting cable or other electrical apparatus;(e)take adequate precautions to protect electrical conductors and apparatus from injury;(f)himself couple the cable to the firing apparatus and before doing so, see that all persons ill the vicinity have taken proper shelter as provided under regulation 200; and(g)after firing the shots and before entering the place of firing, disconnect the cable from the firing apparatus.(8)Where more than one shot are to be fire at the same time,-(a)care shall be taken that all connections are properly made;(b)all shots if fired belowground shall be connected in series;(c)the circuit shall be tested either for electrical resistance or for continuity before connecting it to the firing apparatus and such a test shall be made with an apparatus specifically designed for the purpose and only after all persons in the vicinity have taken proper shelter as provided under regulation 200;(d)the cable to the shotfiring apparatus shall be connected last; and(e)detonators of the same electrical resistance shall only be used.
