To all general licensed blasters in Kentucky:
The new training bill (House Bill 268) was passed during the 2010 general session of the Kentucky General Assembly and became effective on July 15, 2010. HB 268 amended KRS 351.315. KRS 351.315 (4) originally required licensed blasters holding a general blasters license to receive 16 hours of blaster's training approved by the department during the three-year life of the license in order to renew it. HB 268 amended that provision and now requires that for renewal, the blaster holding a general Kentucky blaster’s license must receive eight hours of department-approved training annually, during each of the three years of the license’s validity for renewal.
With respect to the implementation of this provision, the Explosives and Blasting Branch interprets this provision to mean that any license issued prior to July 15, 2010, would continue to be subject to the original terms of KRS 351.315 (4). In other words, a blaster possessing a general Kentucky blaster’s license that had been issued prior to July 15, 2010, would have to prove that he/ she obtained 16 hours of training within the three preceding years prior to renewal. Although anyone who holds a blaster’s license that was issued prior to July 15, 2010, will not be required to obtain eight hours of annual training for the next renewal of that license, the department certainly encourages those blasters to do so. Following renewal after July 15, 2010, the blaster would then be subject to the amended version of KRS 351.315 (4) and would have to provide proof of eight hours of annual department-approved training for each of the three years for all subsequent renewals.
What this means to you as a licensed blaster in Kentucky is this: if you hold a limited blaster’s license that was issued prior to July 15, 2010, nothing has changed. However, as previously required you will need to demonstrate that you have received a minimum of four hours of department-approved training during the three years prior to your renewal date.
If you presently hold a general blasters license (not a limited license) then nothing will change until you renew your license. Once your license is renewed; however, you will be required to obtain (and be able to demonstrate to the department) that you have received eight hours of department-approved training annually (each year) in order to be able to renew your blaster’s license three years from the date your license is renewed.
For purposes of KRS 351.315 (4), the department will approve training when the training is in a setting that will allow the students to focus their exclusive attention on the material being presented by the Instructor and where effective learning can occur. Further, the training will be department-approved training and will be taught by department-approved Instructors. Each course will have a definite learning objective that will be stated prior to the beginning of the class. Students will be evaluated by the department or by an approved trainer to determine whether they have adequately learned the content of the course.
You will receive a note with your license renewal explaining these new requirements.
Please make note of the following: if you do not receive eight hours of department-approved training during EACH YEAR of the three years you hold your blasting license, you will NOT be able to renew your license the next time your license is due to be renewed.
If you have any questions regarding these requirements, email Martin Brashear, Explosives and Blasting Branch, or telephone (606) 233-7217.