Exciting news for emerging professionals! The ISEE Emerging Professionals Industry Connection is set for Wednesday, January 24, from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm during the ISEE Annual Conference in Savannah, Georgia, USA.
What's in Store for the Event:
Discover the EP Section- Learn about the Emerging Professionals Section, designed for individuals with less than 10 years' experience in the explosives industry, and how to get involved.
Connect with Industry Leaders- Network with leaders in the field, guest speakers, sponsors, and supporters actively shaping the future of the explosive industry. You will walk away with new professional contacts and additional knowledge of what’s happening in the industry.
Explore Careers in Explosives- Learn about the various careers in the explosives industry and interact with others in the profession. Identify professionals and areas of interest you want to pursue during the event and after the event is over.
Whether you have a decade of experience or are just starting your explosive journey, this event is designed for everyone!
Make sure to save the date of the ISEE Emerging Professionals Industry Connection Event at the ISEE 50th Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique!
Lancer Insurance Emerging Professionals Social Video Round-Up and BBQ
LDE Emerging Professionals Social
M-Roc Emerging Professionals Social
MTI Group Emerging Professionals Social
Nelson Brothers Silver Level Sponsorship
Nomis Photo Contest
Powderman/ Controlled Blasting Conference Water Bottles
Tradestar Conference Long/Short Sleeve Shirts
Tread Corp Lanyard Sponsorship
WipWare Emerging Professionals Social
More opportunities to showcase your brand are available! Check them out here!
Please reach out to ISEE Senior Conference Coordinator, Victoria Richardson, at richardson@isee.org or ISEE Conference and Membership Senior Director, Hiranthie Stanford, at stanford@isee.org with any questions.
28 Efficient and Safe Pre-Split Blasting Through Mechanized Explosive Loading System
And much more… Join ISEE and receive your complimentary subscription of both the print and digital edition of the Journal of Explosives Engineering. Contact ISEE's membership team at isee@isee.org for more information.
Calling all photographers! You know the drill - enter the Annual Photo Contest!
Show off your skills, capturing blasters and drillers in action, whether it's construction blasting, quarrying, mining, demolition blasting, or specialty blasting.
Don't miss out on this tradition! Click here to submit your photo(s) to be part of the excitement at the 50th Annual Conference!
Questions? Email Communications Director Dede Manross at manross@isee.org.
The ATF has just announced a change that may impact you.
ATF Ruling 2023-1 supersedes ATF Ruling 2007-1, which authorizes FEL/Ps to maintain their records electronically instead of in paper format if the conditions set forth in the ruling are met. FEL/Ps currently operating under ATF Ruling 2007-1 must comply with the terms of this ruling within 1 year of the date of approval. Any FEL/P operating under a separate electronic records variance must request an updated variance within 1 year of the date of approval or comply with the conditions set forth in ATF Ruling 2023-1.
As 2023 draws to a close, I want to reflect on all we’ve accomplished this year and share what’s to come in 2024. Coming out of COVID has created a fundamental shift in the way we deliver membership value. And now, as we get ready to turn the calendar to 2024, we would not be able to step so confidently into the future without your trust, loyalty, and support. And for that, the entire ISEE team and I are extremely grateful.
During 2023 you voted on important updates and revisions to the ISEE Constitution enabling this living document to provide an important roadmap and guidelines to direct our work now and into the future.
When the ATF announced its plans to update the Orangebook, they reached out to ISEE for input and feedback. Our members turned out and gave important insight and comments which in turn we aggregated together and provided to the ATF. We are proud of the strong relationship we have with the ATF and are excited that they will once again be part of our Regulatory Panel Discussion at the 2024 ISEE Annual Conference.
This year, we made significant additions to the upcoming 2024 ISEE Annual Conference including adding paper presentations, poster sessions, doubling the number of available training hours, creating networking opportunities, and we nearly tripling the number of meeting rooms available for member companies. We increased the square footage of our exhibit hall and the show floor sold out again with more companies showcasing their products and services than the previous year.
As a natural next step, we are adding new content in 2024. Whether it is presentations captured from the Annual Conference, newly created online training and webinars, new resources for you to download, or live online meetings, we will provide timely resources to address your needs.
Finally, 2024 membership cards will be mailed out at the end of January or early February based on ISEE members who renewed before December 31, 2023. If you haven’t renewed yet, you can do so by clicking here. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to Dawn Tullis, ISEE’s Membership Coordinator at tullis@isee.org.
Thank you again for your membership in the ISEE. On behalf of the entire staff, we wish you a safe holiday season and the safest New Year.
Sincerely, Steve Shivak, MS, CAE Executive Director
On November 16 and 17, 2023, the Twentieth Pennsylvania Drilling and Blasting Conference was held at The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Centerin State College, Pennsylvania.
The conference is directed to underground and surface blasters, engineers, suppliers, and other professionals associated with drilling, blasting, and explosives. This year’s conference involved over 400 people, 43 exhibit booths, and two outdoor large drill exhibits.
Jay Elkin and Keith Pucalik being recognized for their many years of service to the Conference.
The conference program committee, which is comprised of university faculty, staff, and industry leaders, developed a program that highlighted a varied and impressive list of 31speakers and range of useful subject matter. The conference also included two breakout sessions, which focused on relevant real-world practices and concepts in drilling and blasting.
This conference is sponsored by Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering, the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of ISEE, the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of ISEE, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. In addition, this conference had fifteen company sponsors.
Let's dive into the Driller's Sections goals and recent wins.
In the next year, the Driller's Section aims to boost drilling practices through better communication on geological information, fostering collaboration among members. Recently, the section finalized a new strategic plan, showcasing its commitment to staying ahead in drilling technologies.
Considering renewing your membership? The Driller's Section is perfect for those passionate about drilling operations, safety, and staying updated on best practices. Did you know the Driller's Section honors outstanding contributions with awards like "Driller Of The Year" and "Drilling Industry Leadership," a nod to industry excellence. Connect with fellow drillers online and at the ISEE annual meeting.
Department of Labor announces findings of October 2023 impact inspections at 13 mines, many with histories of repeated safety, health issues
Inspections resulted in 50 significant, substantial violations.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Mine Safety and Health Administration completed impact inspections at 13 mines in 10 states in October 2023, issuing 215 violations.
MSHA began impact inspections after an April 2010 explosion in West Virginia at the Upper Big Branch Mine killed 29 miners.
To date, impact inspections in 2023 have identified 2,307 violations, including 654 significant and substantial or S&S and 46 unwarrantable failure findings. An S&S violation is one reasonably likely to cause a reasonably serious injury or illness. Violations designated as unwarrantable failures occur when an inspector finds aggravated conduct that constitutes more than ordinary negligence.
The agency conducts impact inspections at mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to poor compliance history; previous accidents, injuries, and illnesses; and other compliance concerns. Of the 215 violations MSHA identified in October, 50 were evaluated as S&S and six had unwarrantable failure findings. The agency completed October’s inspections at mines in Alabama, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.
“The October 2023 impact inspections show miners’ safety and health continues to be put at risk and in ways that are completely preventable,” said Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson. “We remain troubled and concerned with the continued trend in our impact inspections. This trend include inspectors finding violations that put miners’ lives at risk, such as float coal dust, improper fall protection and a lack of adequate workplace examinations.”
The Longview Mine in Volga, West Virginia, was among the mines MSHA inspected in October. Selected given its history of accidents and inadequate examinations, the mine is operated by Century Mining LLC. The inspection identified 12 violations, including three S&S and four unwarrantable failure findings.
The inspection led the agency to issue an imminent danger order. Specifically, MSHA inspectors found:
Accumulations of float coal dust on two separate conveyor belt lines, resulting in two unwarrantable failure orders.
Inadequate examinations on the same conveyor belt line resulted in two more two unwarrantable failure orders. Inadequate examinations have contributed to serious mine accidents and have been identified as a root cause in several mining fatalities in 2023. MSHA has placed a priority on improving workplace examinations including the identification, correction and documentation of hazardous conditions to ensure miners’ safety and health.
Two miners working for a contractor were observed on a roof 20 feet above ground wearing safety harnesses that were not tied off as required. MSHA issued an imminent danger order and a related S&S citation and withdrew the two miners from the mine. MSHA issued a safety alert in 2023 regarding falls from height and continues to remind operators and contractors on best practices for preventing falls, such as designing an effective fall prevention and protection program as well as providing task training.
“Violations are not just numbers. Each one represent a hazard to miners whose safety, health and lives are being put at risk needlessly. MSHA will continue to enforce the law, while also providing compliance assistance to mine operators, so that the mining industry makes progress in reversing the troubling upward trend in fatalities,” Williamson added.
Nov. 1—EAST LYME — Explosives engineer Mike Rodriguez was in a bright orange sweatshirt and a hard hat as he led a group of 14 aspiring engineers through the blasting site on the northbound side of Interstate 95 that has eroded 800 feet of ledge over the past three months.
The site is part of a four-and-a-half year highway reconstruction project being pitched Wednesday to the East Lyme High School engineering class as a $148 million project generating more than $30 million annually. It's overseen by Plainville-based general contractor Manafort Brothers of Plainville and engineering firm GM2 of Glastonbury.
"Look well ahead," Rodriguez said. "Watch where you're stepping. Keep your heads on a swivel, guys. Always be aware of your surroundings."
At the blasting site near the Exit 74 on-ramp, tires from heavy equipment had etched grooves into the mud where construction workers were hauling away dislodged rock and preparing the site for more detonations.
Resident Engineer Robert Obey, of GM2, said as many as 60 contractors and subcontractors work daily in multiple areas across the 1.3-mile project span from Exit 73 to just south of Exit 75. Inspection staff account for another 15 jobs.
Obey said the initial blasting project, estimated at six-to-eight weeks when it began on Aug. 1, took down a looming wall of ledge to make room for a wider highway. Now, he anticipates at least five more weeks of blasting so crews can attack an underground expanse of ledge getting in the way of plans to level the highway.
Described by project officials as the biggest safety improvement in the project, crews will raise the highway on the south side of the Route 161 overpass by 14 feet while lowering it on the north side by 10 feet.
During a presentation inside the project headquarters at Latimer Brook Commons, Obey cited a diverse array of civil engineering specialties involved in the project, including traffic, highway design, soil, bridge, geotechnical, hydraulic, and environmental engineering.
The project is bringing more well-paying jobs to a region already bolstered by the manufacturing industry, according to Obey.
"In southeast Connecticut, we have a lot of engineering communities that need people. Whether you're building a submarine or whether you're building this, it takes a ton of engineers to do," he said.
Rodriguez, the one who typically presses the button to set off the blast, passed the igniter to high school senior Alicia Haynes on Wednesday. The device was attached to a thin, yellow lead line traveling a safe distance to the blasting area covered with multiple 12,000-pound blasting mats to contain the debris.
"Before this presentation, I had no idea what this project was," she said. "And now, being here and being able to see it and press the button to make things go boom, is so exciting."
Haynes credited her parents with her interest in engineering honed from a young age. She said she'd watch her father, a fire protection engineer, build projects at home before she was old enough to work on her own kits.
She recalled a hydraulic lift she built when she was 7 years old that was similar to the one she made in her engineering class this year.
Haynes, whose mother works at Pfizer with a background in chemical and bioengineering, acknowledged a current push to increase the number of women in science, technology, engineering and math.
The high school senior cited clubs focused on women in engineering that she learned about when she visited Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts. She has applied to the University of Connecticut and is looking at Lehigh University and Bucknell University, both in Pennsylvania.
"I know girls are the minority in engineering right now," she said. "But I think there'd just be more guys around, and I'm not afraid of that. I'm more than willing to work with a team of guys."
She said she was the only female in her high school computer aided design class and one of three in her engineering class.
Haynes said her parents were always careful not to pressure her into following in their footsteps. Instead, they gave her the opportunity to see where her interests took her.
"They've always said I can do whatever I want," she said of her parents. "My dad's always worked with me on projects, whether I'm a girl or not. I don't have a brother. Me and my sister both do it all the time, and we're always excited to."
Before setting off the day's blast, Haynes donned a hard hat and a fluorescent vest with engineering teacher Frederic Clark and the rest of his students. She made a turn on the packed mud like it was a runway.
"Do you think I get to keep this?" she asked. "It's fashionable."
The Kentucky Blasting Conference held its 50th training event at the Lexington Convention Center in Lexington, Kentucky, December 7-8, 2023. Attendance continues to increase each year since 2021 with 546 this year and 39 exhibitors. Although this is not a chapter event, the Bluegrass Chapter of ISEE provides volunteers and works with the Kentucky Blasting Conference every year to make the event successful.
A clay shoot was held on Wednesday hosted by the University of Kentucky Student Chapter to raise funds for students to attend ISEE’s Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique. The Bluegrass Chapter hosted a social for chapter members including dinner and drinks at the Horse and Jockey.
Training started on Thursday morning in four breakout sessions including Underground, Construction/Quarries, General and Regulatory. Topics and speakers included: Fragmentation Reduction Through Caprock Management by Bob McClure, R.A McCure, Inc.; Increased Blast Size to Reduce Oversize & Complaints by Neal Lee, Nelson Brothers; Fragmentation Analysis for Better Blasting by Andrew Palangio, Wipware, Inc.; KYDNR Regulatory Update by Marty Brashear, KYDNR; Backbreak: Modeling Techniques to Improve Highwalls, by Elijah Williams, Strayos; Quarry Blasting is BORING! By Brian Sandhaus; Electronic Detonators in Commercial Demolitions: An Update by Ron Gilbert, Dykon Demolition; Machine Control Drill & Blast Technologies: An Overview by Mat Tabor, Quick Supply; Integration of 3D Blast Design & Smart Drills by Spencer Kerdock, Martin Marietta; In Case of Emergency Notifications and Procedures by Paul Downing, Lancer Insurance; ATF&E Regulatory Update by Derek Root and Doris Hasser, KYATF; Underground Blast Design: Misfire Prevention & Safety by Frank Sames, Sames Consulting; Defending the Unusual Blasting Claims by Ralph Burnham and Kerry Ratliff, Reminger Law and G. Boso, Boso Forensics; Blasting Ventilation Shafts, Ore Passes, and Raises by Nathan Rouse, Thoroughbred Drill and Blast Consultants; Blast Site Security by Culhoyne Nickles; Stope Blast Optimization in Underground Mines by Curtis Hoskins, Austin Powder Company; and Optimization Tools in Underground Operations by Jim Winfield, Austin Powder Company.
Friday’s training included a presentation by Dr. Cathy Aimone-Martin “Changing Vibration Limits to Strain Based Measurements: A Case Study. Friday also included panel discussions on public relations and regulatory issues.
On November 3, 2023, the Eastern PA Chapter ISEE hosted the 7th Annual Clay Shoot and BBQ at Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays (LVSC) facility in Allentown, PA. It was a perfectly crisp fall day at the LVSC facility. This is a perfect venue for our event as it is built on an old quarry site that utilizes the ponds and the old limestone structures for the challenging course.
There were 51 attendees and 48 shooters that participated in the event. First place winner was Tony Paolino from New Enterprise Stone and Lime, Co., Inc.; second place winner was Jon Ferdinand from Vibra-Tech Engineers, Inc.; and third place winner was Phil Gosnell from New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co., Inc.
The Class A Lewis class winner was Mark Johnson from EPIROC, the Class B Lewis class winner was Ron Ruby from Maurer & Scott, and the Class C Lewis class winner was Kristin Klemish from Vibra-Tech Engineers, Inc. The shotgun raffle winner was Randy Van Scyoc from OPPC Farms.
ISEE 50th Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique January 24 - 27, 2024 Savannah, Georgia, USA www.isee.org
FEBRUARY 2024
SME MineXchange February 25 - 28, 2024 Phoenix Convention Center Phoenix, Arizona, USA www.sme.org
APRIL 2024
35th Annual Best in the West Drill and Blast Conference April 17-19, 2024 Spearfish Holiday Inn Convention Center Spearfish, South Dakota, USA https://bitwconference.org
SME Minnesota Conference April 15 - 17, 2024 Virginia, Minnesota, USA www.sme.org
Western Canada Chapter’s Annual General Meeting April 25 – 27, 2024 Coast Kamloops Hotel & Conference Center Kamloops, BC Canada www.iseewest.org
MAY 2024
CIM Annual Expo May 12 - 15, 2024 Vancouver Convention Center Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA www.cim.org
JUNE 2024
Missouri S&T 2024 Explosives Summer Camp June 2 - 7, 2024 Missouri University of Science & Technology summercamps.mst.edu
Missouri S&T 2024 Explosives Summer Camp June 9 - 14, 2024 Missouri University of Science & Technology summercamps.mst.edu
SEPTEMBER 2024
NMA MinExpo International September 24 - 26, 2024 Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas, Nevada, USA www.minexpo.com
DECEMBER 2024
UKY ISEE Student Chapter 13th Annual Clay Shoot and Fundraiser December 4, 2024 Bluegrass Sportsmen's League Wilmore, Kentucky, USA www.bluegrass-isee.com
Bluegrass ISEE Chapter Member Appreciation Social December 4, 2024 Horse & Jockey Lexington, Kentucky, USA www.bluegrass-isee.com
Kentucky Blasting Conference December 5 - 6, 2024 Central Bank Center Lexington, Kentucky, USA www.kyblastingconference.com
JANUARY 2025
ISEE Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Cherokee, North Carolina, USA www.isee.org
FEBRUARY 2025
SME MineXchange February 23 - 26, 2025 Colorado Convention Center Denver, Colorado, USA www.sme.org
SEPTEMBER 2025
EFEE 13th World Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique September 20 - 23, 2025 Krakow, POLAND www.efeeworldconference.com
MARCH 2026
ConExpo Con / Agg March 3 - 7, 2026 Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas, Nevada, USA www.conexpoconagg.com
Nov. 1—EAST LYME — Explosives engineer Mike Rodriguez was in a bright orange sweatshirt and a hard hat as he led a group of 14 aspiring engineers through the blasting site on the northbound side of Interstate 95 that has eroded 800 feet of ledge over the past three months.
