[1]
Cross Reference: Fire prevention and protection, Ch. 8.
[Ord. No. 9, § 1, 3-30-1931; L.L. No. 16-1987, § 1]
(a) 
No person except one who has been licensed by the State of New York or a department or agency thereof shall handle or use either nitroglycerin, dynamite, black powder or any like substance for the purpose of blasting within the corporate limits of the Village.
(b) 
Every licensee shall carry such license and shall exhibit the same upon the demand of any police officer or properly authorized officer or employee of the Village while blasting within the Village.
[Ord. No. 9, § 4, 3-30-1931; L.L. No. 16-1987, § 8; L.L. No. 6-1999, § 1]
The Building Inspector is authorized to promulgate regulations and standards, including standards relating to vibrations and concussions, deemed necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare. Such standards shall be promulgated by the Building Inspector and shall not be effective until approved by the Board of Trustees by resolution adopted at a public meeting of the Board of Trustees.
[Ord. No. 9, § 5, 3-30-1931; L.L. No. 16-1987, § 8; L.L. No. 6-1999, § 2]
(a) 
Not more than 20 days nor less than five days prior to a scheduled blast the permit holder shall serve a notice of intent to blast, stating when and where blasting activity is scheduled to occur, on each occupant or user of each structure, commercial or residential, within 300 feet of the proposed blast site and upon the owner or owners of any parcel of property immediately adjoining or abutting the parcel of property on which the blasting is to take place, regardless of the distance an adjoining owner is from the blast site. The notice shall include the blasting permit number, the permit holders name, emergency telephone numbers for police, fire and ambulance service and the time and location of each scheduled blast. A copy of the notice of intent to blast must be submitted to the Building Inspector for his review and approval prior to distribution.
(b) 
The notice of intent to blast may be served by either personal service or certified mail. In the event that neither personal service nor certified mail can be effected, the applicant may request authorization from the Building Inspector to serve the notice of intent to blast by posting a copy of such notice in each building or dwelling in a conspicuous place where it is reasonable to believe that persons entering or leaving the premises will see such notification.
(c) 
In the case of multioccupancy structures, residential and commercial, located within 300 feet of the blast site, the notice of intent to blast shall be conspicuously and continuously posted at all commonly used entrances to the structure at least 20 and not less than five days prior to blasting. It shall be the blaster's responsibility to ensure that notice is unobstructed and remains posted at the structure.
[Ord. No. 9, § 6, 3-30-1931; L.L. No. 16-1987, § 3]
No person shall engage in blasting within the Village of Tuckahoe without first obtaining a permit from the Village Building Department.
[Ord. No. 9, § 7, 3-30-1931; L.L. No. 16-1987, § 4; L.L. No. 6-1999, § 3]
(a) 
An application for a permit to use or detonate explosives shall require the following information, as well as any other information the Building Inspector deems necessary to ensure public health and safety:
(1) 
The applicant's full name and address. If the applicant is a corporation, partnership or other business entity, the name of each officer shall be separately stated.
(2) 
A designated, on-site representative who will be present at the location during all blasting and authorized to act on behalf of the applicant for all administrative purposes.
(3) 
The name, address and telephone number of the person who will be conducting the blasting, and a copy of the blaster's license to purchase, own, possess, transport and use explosives and a certificate of competence.
(4) 
An estimate of how much blasting is anticipated and the type and amount of material to be ignited or discharged. Where more than one blast is anticipated, the applicant shall estimate how many separate blasts are expected and the approximate duration blasting activity will continue.
(5) 
The time, date and location blasting is scheduled to begin.
(6) 
A list of all landowners, including name and address, within a five-hundred-foot radius of the proposed blast site.
(7) 
A preblast survey of the site, where one inch equals 30 feet in scale, showing all structures within a five-hundred-foot radius of the proposed blast site, together with a description of each structure within such radius. Any property owner subject to a preblast property description shall be furnished a copy of the description of his property upon request. The Building Inspector may, in his sole discretion, waive all or any portion of the preblast survey depending on the particular characteristics of the site, the surrounding area and the type of blasting proposed. The applicant shall, upon request, make a copy of the preblast survey available to the Building Inspector.
(8) 
Where a preblast survey indicates electric transmission lines within 500 feet of a proposed blast site, the Building Inspector or his representative may require testing to determine the presence and level of errant electrical current in the area. If testing indicates the presence of errant electrical current in the vicinity where explosives are to be detonated at a level sufficient to pose a potential threat to public safety, the Building Inspector may require that any blasting be conducted solely by use of nonelectrical detonation.
(9) 
A list of jobs within the last year showing any claims against the applicant for damage due to blasting.
(b) 
Based on the application and the preblast survey, the Building Inspector shall estimate the cost of monitoring compliance with this article and furnish such estimate, together with a basis for his calculation, to the applicant. Prior to the issuance of any permit the estimated cost of inspection services shall be deposited with the Village, held in escrow, and applied to reimburse the Village for costs and expenses actually incurred in connection with maintaining compliance with this article. Where the estimated amount deposited is insufficient to cover the Village's costs, the property owner shall be responsible for any balance due. Where the estimated amount deposited with the Village exceeds the costs incurred; the balance shall be refunded.
(c) 
The application for a permit to use explosives shall be signed by both the applicant and the blaster. In addition, the applicant shall sign an acknowledgement stating, under the penalties of perjury, that all information provided in the application or in support of the application is true and accurate. The blaster shall also sign an acknowledgment stating that he/she has read the entire application, that in his/her opinion blasting at the particular location can be conducted safely, without unreasonable risk, and that, under the penalties of perjury, the blaster's state license is valid, that he/she is fully authorized to conduct the type of activity set forth in the application and that he/she agrees to abide by all state and federal safety standards.
(d) 
A permit to conduct blasting shall be effective for a specific project and specific period of time, not to exceed 90 days. The Building Inspector shall have sole discretion to set the term of any permit issued under this section.
(e) 
Expiration, revocation or cancellation of the blaster's state license shall automatically void any permit issued under this article.
(f) 
No blast shall be initiated at any location within the Village unless a written permit to conduct blasting has first been obtained and signed by the Building Inspector authorizing blasting at the specific location.
(g) 
The Building Inspector may add to any permit issued under this article whatever terms and conditions deemed necessary to protect public health, safety and welfare.
(h) 
No permit holder shall transfer or assign a permit issued under this article.
(i) 
The failure of an applicant to provide any information requested by the Building Inspector in support of an application for a permit shall be grounds to deny an application or revoke a permit.
(j) 
Each applicant must furnish proof of insurance as set forth herein.
(k) 
The Village Building Inspector may also request the applicant to supply any other additional information that may be deemed necessary to protect the health and safety of the public or to prevent damage to property.
(l) 
Each application for a permit shall be accompanied by such a fee as may be established by the Board of Trustees by resolution adopted at a public meeting of the Board of Trustees.
[Ord. No. 9, § 8, 3-30-1931; L.L. No. 16-1987, § 5; L.L. No. 6-1999, § 4]
(a) 
Before any permit is issued pursuant to this article, the applicant shall submit proof of insurance by supplying a certificate of insurance, issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in the State of New York, stating that the applicant has insurance coverage in effect for workers' compensation, liability and property damage and a specific endorsement stating that coverage includes liability arising from handling or using explosive materials and conducting blasting activity. Insurance coverage shall be not less than $3,000,000 for general liability, including bodily injury to any one person and, subject to the same limit for each person, not less than $5,000,000 for any occurrence, plus insurance for property damage of not less than $3,000,000. The insurance certificate shall name the Village as an additional insured. In addition, the certificate shall contain a statement that the policy or policies covering the insured will not be canceled, terminated or modified by the insurance company unless 30 days' notice is given to the Village and such change or modification is mutually agreed to.
(b) 
The applicant shall also furnish a notarized statement agreeing to indemnify and hold the Village harmless from any and all claims, actions and proceedings brought by any person, firm or corporation for any injury to any persons or property resulting, directly or indirectly, from the applicant using, storing, handling, transporting or manufacturing explosive material or conducting blasting activity and, moreover, stating the applicant will defend and indemnify the Village against any action brought by any third parties as a result of operating under a Village permit issued under this article.
(c) 
No permit shall be issued unless and until the applicant has complied with these insurance requirements and provided an agreement indemnifying and holding the Village harmless for any and all damage and injury.
(d) 
The amount of insurance required pursuant to Subsection (a) above shall be determined by the Building Inspector after consultation with the Village Attorney.
[Ord. No. 9, § 9, 3-30-1931; L.L. No. 16-1987, § 6]
The Village Building Department may at any time revoke any permit when, in its opinion, blasting is not being performed safely and in accordance with the provisions of this article.
[Ord. No. 9, § 10, 3-30-1931; L.L. No. 16-1987, § 8]
The provisions of this article with respect to the conduct of blasting within the Village of Tuckahoe shall be considered as minimum requirements and all persons performing blasting within said Village shall be under a duty to take all necessary steps to properly safeguard and protect lives and property.
[Ord. No. 9, § 11, 3-30-1931; L.L. No. 16-1987, § 7]
Any person who himself or by his agent or employee shall violate any of the provisions of this article or who, having had a license or permit revoked, shall continue to blast shall, upon conviction, be punished by a penalty as prescribed in § 1-7; and each day upon which such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense and such violation shall constitute disorderly conduct and the person so offending shall be deemed a disorderly person.
[L.L. No. 6-1999, § 5]
(a) 
No blast shall be initiated at any location within the Village limits unless a written permit has first been obtained from the Building Inspector authorizing blasting at the specific location.
(b) 
Blasting conducted within the Village must comply with the terms of the permit and, in addition, all applicable state and federal health and safety standards.
(c) 
At least 10 business days prior to the scheduled start of blasting, the permit holder shall request a preblast meeting with the Building Inspector to review and finalize the proposed blasting plan. No blasting shall be conducted unless a preblast meeting has been held with the Building Inspector and the Building Inspector is satisfied that the proposed blasting plan is reasonable.
(d) 
Each blasting permit holder shall establish and delineate a blast zone prior to detonating a blast. The blast zone must be clearly marked and adequate precautions implemented to prevent unauthorized entry into the area.
(e) 
Prior to each blast, the blaster or his designee shall be responsible for notifying all persons in the general area that blasting operations are scheduled to begin within a specified period of time. In addition, the blaster shall sound a recognized whistle, siren or horn loud enough to be heard throughout the designated blast zone approximately three minutes prior to blasting and again 30 seconds prior to blasting, warning all persons that blasting is imminent.
(f) 
The Building Inspector or his representative shall be permitted access to observe all aspects of the blasting operation, including but not limited to observation of all preblast preparatory site work, the explosion detonation and access to the postblast site. The property owner shall reimburse the Village for the cost of all inspection services, including the cost of retaining an on-site inspector to monitor all aspects of blasting, where the Building Inspector deems such services necessary, by depositing the estimated cost of inspection services in a designated account to be held in escrow by the Village and applied to reimburse the Village for costs incurred in administering compliance with these regulations and standards. The permit holder and the blaster shall provide to the Building Inspector a copy of all seismic readings and any and all other documentation and data collected regarding each blast.
(g) 
The blasting permit holder shall notify the Building Inspector or his/her designated representative and the Police Department of an impending blast at least two hours, but not more than 12 hours, prior to the time each blast is scheduled.
(h) 
The applicant shall be responsible for any costs incurred by the Village in providing police, emergency services or any other personnel deemed necessary to ensure public safety.
(i) 
Notwithstanding any other regulations, no blasting shall be performed in such manner or under such circumstances as to eject debris into the air so as to constitute a hazard or danger or do harm or damage to persons or property. Before firing a blast which could cause injury to persons or damage property from fly rock, the material to be blasted shall be properly covered or screened by a buffer of sufficient mass and strength to prevent, with a margin of safety, the ejection of any material capable of causing any injury or damage.
(j) 
No person shall use a quantity of explosives greater than necessary to break or move the target material or use an amount of explosives that poses a risk of injury to persons or property.
(k) 
Unless otherwise permitted by the Village Building Inspector, all holes, drilled or otherwise, excavated for holding an explosive charge shall be at least six feet deep. If, however, the permit holder/blaster can demonstrate a need to use a hole less than six feet deep and that such cavity will not endanger public safety, the Village Building Inspector or his/her designated representative may, in his/her discretion, authorize the use of blast holes less than six feet deep.
(l) 
The blaster shall plan each blast and take every precaution in loading, delaying, initiation, confinement and stemming to control the throw of rock fragments and debris and limit ground vibrations and the effect of air concussions to the greatest extent possible. When blasting is to be conducted within 100 feet or less of a property line and the adjacent property owner is not a party to the blasting operation, the blaster shall take all precautions practicable, utilizing any combination of recognized methods, to control blasting effects to the greatest degree possible.
(m) 
A record of each blast shall be kept by the blaster on a form approved by the Village Building Inspector. All such records shall be retained by the permit holder and blaster as prescribed by state law and made available for inspection as a matter of public record. The information contained on the record shall include:
(1) 
The name and license number of the blaster.
(2) 
The location of the blast.
(3) 
The date and time of each blast.
(4) 
The number of blasts.
(5) 
The number, diameter and depth of each hole and distance between holes.
(6) 
The burden depth.
(7) 
The stemming length.
(8) 
The make and type of explosives.
(9) 
The delay make, number and period.
(10) 
The weather conditions, including temperature, wind direction and speed.
In addition, the following seismograph information must be recorded for each blast with a duplicate copy provided to the Building Inspector:
(1) 
The seismograph serial number.
(2) 
The range/gain setting.
(3) 
The date of last shake table calibration and microphone calibration.
(4) 
The air channel low frequency limit.
(5) 
The exact seismograph location and location in relation to the blast.
(6) 
The peak over pressure readout.
(7) 
The peak particle velocity readout.
(8) 
The name of the operator.
(9) 
Operator certification,
(n) 
Where an accident involves personal injury, the permit holder shall immediately notify the Building Inspector that an accident has occurred and no further blasting shall be conducted until the Building Inspector has had an opportunity to review the accident report and the permit. Any injury, accident or misfire involving explosives shall be recorded, and a full written report shall be attached to the blast report filed with the Building Inspector, including the names of all participants and witnesses and remedial actions taken. The Building Inspector may require such additional, specific information from the blaster as he/she deems necessary and appropriate to assure the public health and safety. Following an accident involving personal injury, the Building Inspector may amend the permit by adding whatever additional restrictions deemed necessary to assure public health and safety is maintained and another similar accident does not reoccur.