LECTURE I.
EXPLOSIVES.
Working Knowledge.
Handling. In moving cases containing explosives great care should be taken that they are not placed on anything or in such a position that they might topple over or be knocked over, or placed in such a position that other objects might fall on them. Men who are entrusted with the handling of these materials should be most reliable and careful.
The Thawing of Frozen Explosives. Some explosives freeze in a temperature considerably above freezing point, and it is necessary that they be thawed before using. The two recognized methods of thawing frozen explosives are as follows:
1. Place in a steam heated room, but not on the steam pipes. It is desirable that the room have an even temperature.
2. By the use of a double heater; the outer vessel to contain water at a temperature of 125 deg. F., or not hotter than can be borne by the hand; the inner vessel contains the explosive, care being taken that there is no fire in the vicinity.
A Few Causes of Accidents with Dynamite. The following are a few of the causes of accidents with explosives, as taken from statistical information compiled by the Ontario Bureau of Mines, and circulated for the purpose of preventing accidents:—