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Explosives Act, 1956 (Act No. 26 of 1956)

Explosives Regulations

Chapter 3 : Packing and Marking of Explosives

 

 

3.1 In this Chapter--

 

"outer package"

shall mean a box, bag, barrel, case or cylinder of wood, metal, fibreboard or other solid material of such strength, construction and character that it will not be broken or accidentally opened, nor become defective or insecure whilst being conveyed and will not allow any explosives to escape;

 

"inner package"

shall mean a substantial case, bag, canister or other receptacle, made and closed so as to present any explosives from escaping;

 

"propellant"

shall mean an authorised explosive of Class 3 adapted and intended exclusively for use as a propelling charge in cannon, small arms or rockets; and

 

"special authority"

shall mean a written authority granted by the Chief Inspector of Explosives to which may be attached such conditions as may in his opinion be necessary to meet the special requirements of the ease.

 

3.2 The interior of every package shall be free from grit and otherwise clean.

 

3.3 Save as hereinafter provided there shall not be any iron or steel in the construction of any package unless the same is covered with suitable material so as effectually to prevent the exposure of such iron or steel: Provided that this Regulation shall not apply to the package of explosives comprised in Division 1 of Class 6 and in Division 2 of Class 7.

 

3.4
3.4.) Every package when actually used for the packing of one explosive shall not be used for the packing of any other explosive or of any other article or substance.
3.4.) A package, whether "inner" or "outer", that has once been used for the packing of explosives shall not again be used for any other purpose except with the written permission of the Chief Inspector of Explosives.

 

3.5 Subject to the preceding regulations of this Chapter, the following shall be the method of packing authorised explosives of the various classes respectively, and the maximum amounts that may be in any one package:

 

Class of explosives

Method of packing

Gross mass or number

Amount in any one inner package

Class 1

In an inner as well as an outer package except where the mass of explosives to be conveyed is not more than 3 kg when an inner package is not necessary

30 kg

25 kg

Class 2

As for Class 1

30 kg

25 kg

Class 3, Division 1, other than propellants and nitroglycerine

As for Class 1

30 kg

25 kg

Class 3, Division 1, propellants

As for Class 1

60 kg

50 kg

Class 3. Division 1, nitroglycerine

Shall be packed in accordance with conditions set forth in a special authority

--

--

Class 3, Division 2, other than--

a) Nitrocellulose
b) cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (R.D.X.)
c) pentaerythritoltetranitrate (P.E.T.N.)
d) nitroresorcinol (styphnic acid)

As for Class 1

30 kg

25 kg

Class 3, Division 2, nitrocellulose

In an inner as well as an outer package, the explosive being so wetted with water or alcohol that there is not less than 1 kilogram water to 4 kilograms dry material or 1 kilogram alcohol to 3 kilograms dry material, the inner or outer packages being of such a nature and so closed as to present any material loss of water or alcohol during conveyance

250 kg

--

Class 3, Division 2, cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (R.D.X.), pentaerythritoltetranitrate (P.E.T.N.), nitroresorcinol (styphnic acid)

In an inner as well as an outer package, the explosive being so wetted with water that there is not less than 1 kilogram water to 3 kilograms dry material, the inner and outer packages being of such a nature and so closed as to prevent any material loss of water

30 kg

25 kg

Class 4, Division 1

As for Class 3, Division 1, other than propellants and nitroglycerine

30 kg

5 kg

Class 4, Division 2

As for Class 3, Division 1, other than propellants and nitroglycerine

30 kg

25 kg

Class 5, Division 1

The explosive shall be packed wet containing not less than 1 kilogram water to 3 kilograms dry material and shall, in this condition be enclosed in a treble package; the innermost package containing the wet explosive shall be a bag of heavy cotton cloth or other suitable material of close mesh but permeable to water; the intermediate package shall contain all the individual packages and sufficient water to keep the explosive in them constantly wet, and may, consistent with the security of the whole package, be in the form of a rubber bag, or of a case, or of such special lining to the outer packages as will efficiently attain this object, and it must itself be constantly surrounded by or saturated with water; the outer package shall be of such construction and material as will not allow water to escape

100 kg

10 kg

Class 5, Division 2

Shall be packed in accordance with the conditions set forth in a special authority

--

--

Class 6, Division 1

In an outer package so that the point of any bullet cannot come into contact with the cap of any cartridge; Regulation 3.3 of this Chapter shall not apply to explosives of this Division

Unlimited

 

Class 6, Division 2

Explosives made into cartridges or charges for cannon, shells, torpedoes, mines, blasting or other like purposes shall be packed in such manner and in such quantity as is required for the same explosive when not so made up; where a double package is required the enclosing case of such cartridges or charges may, if it satisfies the conditions required for the inner package, be held to be such inner package

--

--

 

Other ammunition of this Division may be packed in a single outer package

60 kg

--

Class 6, Division 3, other than detonators, electric detonators, delay action electric detonators and capped fuses

In an inner as well as an outer package

25 kg

1 kg or 10 in number whichever may be the greater

Class 6, Division 3, detonators

a) Not exceeding 2 000 - In an inner as well as an outer package; if the inner package is of metal or other sold material, it shall be lined throughout with paper or other soft material and a layer of felt or other soft yielding material shall be replaced on top of and underneath the detonators and so secured that both ends of the detonators shall at all times be resting on and be covered by the said layer; the detonators shall fit snugly in the inner package and the detonators and all space in the inner package shall be filled so far as practicable with fine sawdust or other similar material, and the package shall be closed securely against leakage of the contents; the inner packages shall be placed inside a substantial case of wood, metal or other approved material so made and closed as to prevent any of the inner packages from escaping therefrom and such case shall be placed inside the outer package in such manner and so secured as to leave a space of not less than 15 millimetres between the case and every part of the interior of the outer package and the said space shall either be kept clear with a light framework or battens of wood to keep the said case in position in the outer package or may be filled with sawdust, straw or other approved material

2 000

200

 

a) Exceeding 2 000 - As for (a) except that the space between the case and the outer package shall be not less than 25 millimetres and when the number of detonators therein exceeds 5 000, the outer package shall be provided with handles or other suitable contrivance by means of which it can safely and conveniently be carried

10 000

100

Class 6, Division 3, electric detonators, delay action electric detonators

In an inner and an outer package

1 500

100

Class 6, Division 3, capped fuses

In an outer package; the capped fuses shall be packed in bundles of not more than 25 capped fuses

1 000

--

Class 7, Division 1

In an inner as well as an outer package, the inner package being hermetically closed

10 kg

500 grams

Class 7, Division 2

In an inner as well as an outer package; Regulation 3.3 of this Chapter shall not apply to explosives of this Division

30 kg

--

Class 8

Shall be packed in accordance with the conditions set forth in a special authority

--

--

 

3.6 Nothing in these regulations shall be deemed to prohibit the use of an additional package, whether inner or outer, unless such additional package is of a character prohibited, in writing, by an inspector.

 

3.7 An explosive which is not an authorised explosive shall be packed and marked in such manner as may be directed by a special authority with reference to such an explosive.

 

Marking of Packages

 

3.8
3.8.1 Subject to the provisions of this regulation on every outer package containing explosives there shall be affixed in conspicuous characters by means of a brand, or securely attached label, or other mark, the word "Explosive" or the word "Ontplofbaar", and the name of the explosive, the number of the class and division to which it belongs, the number of the transport group to which it belongs and the name of the manufacturer or sender.
3.8.2 In the case of explosives of Classes 2, 3 and 4 there shall be added the date of manufacture and the date of issue from the factory or such sign indicating such date as may be approved by the Chief Inspector of Explosives.
3.8.3 In the case of cartridges or other charges for ordnance, shells, mines, blasting, or other like purpose, that do not contain their own means of ignition, the marking shall be as for the explosive when not so made up.
3.8.4 In the case of explosives of Class 6, Division 1, there shall be the added words "Not liable to explode in bulk" or "Nie onderhewig aan massaontploffing nie".
3.8.5 In the case of blasting materials, in addition to other markings required, the name and address of the purchaser or consignee shall be marked clearly on the outer package, before dispatch or handing over to the purchaser.
3.8.6 In the case of fireworks, in addition to the markings prescribed in these regulations, each firework, before importation, shall bear conspicuously the name and address of the importer, as stated on the import permit covering the consignment, except fireworks weighing less than 4 grams each and fireworks of the kinds known as aluminium or magnesium torches (sparklers), and jumping crackers, which shall bear the name and address of the importer conspicuously on every container in which they are imported, including both the containers in which they are to be sold to the public and the containers for consignment in bulk: Provided always that when the fireworks, after importation, are to be consigned directly to a licensed explosives factory, the marking of the name and address of the importer on the fireworks or the containers may be effected, under conditions approved by an inspector, in the factory before dispatch to the dealers or the public.

 

3.9 The Chief Inspector of Explosives may, at his discretion, give written exemption from any of the foregoing regulations and may prescribe, in writing, such additional conditions as he may deem necessary.

 

Penalty

 

3.10 Any person who by any act or omission commits a breach of any of the regulations under this Chapter, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding R100 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.