New Certification Program for Blasters

ENVIRONMENT/LABOUR--New Certification Program for Blasters Introduced

In order to ensure safe procedures in one of the province's most dangerous occupations a new training course is being introduced for all blasters seeking to renew their certification.

The course is being offered by the Occupational Health and Safety Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour.

All blasters operating in Nova Scotia will now be required to take the province's one-day training course and pass an exam. The certification is good for three years.

Surveys conducted over the last two years by the Blasters' Board of Examiners found that 64 per cent of blasters had not been involved in any training during the three years for which they were certified. The new course will help blasters to upgrade their skills and invest in their own safety.

"If we're going to certify someone to handle explosives, we'd better make sure they know what they're doing," said David Morse, Minister of Environment and Labour. "It's a dangerous business and blasters need to be aware of the latest safety information."

The cost for the new course is $115. Blasters will also pay the regular fee to renew their licence every three years. Similar courses provided elsewhere may be acceptable. Course application forms are available by contacting Darlene Himmelman at:

Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour PO Box 697 Halifax, NS B3J 2T8 Phone: 902-424-8281