Who has final authority over blasting operations on a site?

• A. The licensed blaster on site
• B. The site safety officer
• C. The project manager
• D. The crew

Answer: (A)

In blasting operations, the person who has the final say on whether to proceed with a blast is the licensed blaster on site. This individual is trained and legally authorized to handle explosives, and they carry the responsibility for the blast design, charge quantities, initiation timing, and the overall plan for how a shot will be carried out. Because of the high safety risks involved, only this qualified person can assess current conditions—such as weather, ground vibrations, nearby structures, and worker locations—and decide to go ahead, delay, or cancel a blast. The site safety officer helps enforce safety rules and verify procedures, but they don’t authorize blasting itself. The project manager focuses on schedule and resources, and the crew follows the blaster’s instructions. So the licensed blaster on site is the one who ultimately controls blasting operations.