The Rock Moving Specialist

Off-site impacts of blasting include ground vibration, airblast or noise, dust, and flyrock. In the Philippines, these are controlled by designing blasts with proper burden, spacing, and timing delays. Blast mats or natural cover are used to control flyrock, while compliance with Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and DENR-EMB environmental regulations ensures safety. Blasting is also monitored with seismographs to confirm that vibration and airblast levels remain within accepted limits, usually below 10 mm/s PPV for residential areas based on international standards.

The Philippine Mining Act (RA 7942) and its Implementing Rules under DAO 2010-21 mandate environmental protection for quarrying and mining operations. Blasting is also regulated by the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO). These regulations require vibration and airblast to remain within safe limits. Pre-blast surveys are often conducted to document the condition of nearby structures, and only licensed blasting engineers and qualified personnel are authorized to handle explosives.

Blasting vibrations may be felt as a low rumble or slight shaking, but properly designed blasts are well below thresholds that can cause harm. For people, the vibration may be surprising but does not cause health problems. Pets may react to the noise or vibration, but there is no physical harm expected when blasting is within regulated levels.

The effects of blasting do not accumulate if each blast is kept within safe vibration limits. Cracks or defects that appear long after blasting are usually caused by natural structural aging, settlement, or temperature changes, not blasting. Seismograph records and pre-blast surveys are important to verify this and provide documentation.

Most cracks are caused by thermal expansion and contraction due to daily temperature changes, soil settlement or differential foundation movement, moisture expansion in plaster and masonry, and natural aging of concrete and building materials. Blasting is often blamed because it is noticeable, but scientifically measured vibration levels show that properly controlled blasting is not the cause.

A pre-blast survey is a visual and photographic inspection of nearby houses, buildings, and infrastructure before blasting begins. In the Philippines, it is conducted by the blasting contractor together with the landowner or barangay officials to document any pre-existing cracks or defects. This protects both the community and the company from false claims and provides a clear record of conditions before blasting.

Yes, you may hear a dull thump or feel a slight vibration similar to a passing truck. These effects are normal and controlled to remain within safe and permissible levels.

Before blasting, local barangay officials and nearby residents are usually informed. The PNP FEO, which regulates the use and transport of explosives, is also notified. Onsite, coordination is done with the quarry or mine management and safety officers to ensure that everyone is aware of the blast schedule.

Rock hammering is slow, inefficient, costly, and has the same inherent properties of blasting on a smaller scale. Blasting can actually be quieter than rock hammering, and takes much less time. A typical blast duration is usually 1 to 3 seconds, while rock hammering can take over two weeks to displace the same amount of volume incurred by a single blast.

Flyrock is controlled by proper design of burden, stemming, and charge distribution, as well as the use of blast mats or natural confinement. Delays are designed to keep blasts controlled, and exclusion zones are enforced to make sure no one is within the potential throw radius during blasting.

Yes. In Philippine operations, blast monitoring with seismographs is standard practice when there are nearby communities or sensitive structures. The results are documented and reported to regulators such as the DENR and local government units when required. Monitoring ensures compliance with safe vibration and airblast limits and provides transparency to both the company and the community.