Licenses for Blasters

The "Missouri Blasting Safety Act" was passed into law by 94th Missouri General Assembly and became law on Aug. 28, 2007. The purpose of the act is to foster the safe use of explosives in mining and construction by establishing and enforcing consistent statewide industry standards for licensing of blasters and users of explosives. The act is not to be construed to amend, supersede, or conflict with any requirement of federal law or regulation governing the manufacturing, transporting, or storage of explosives.

The Act regulates users of explosives which are defined as "any individual, proprietorship, partnership, firm, corporation, company, or joint venture that is required to hold authority to receive or use explosives under statutes or regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and who employs licensed blasters."

The following are exempt from the requirement to register with the Division of Fire Safety:

• Any individual, proprietorship, partnership, firm, corporation, company, or joint venture defined as a "person using explosives" that does not employ blasters required to be licensed by the Division;
• Universities, colleges, or trade schools when confined to the purpose of instruction or research;
• The use of explosive materials in the forms prescribed by the official U.S. Pharmacopoeia or the National Formulary and used in medicines and medicinal agents;
• The training or emergency operations of any federal, state, or local government including all departments, agencies, and divisions thereof, provided they are acting in their official capacity and in the proper performance of their duties or functions;
• The use of explosives by the military or any agency of the United States;
• The use of pyrotechnics, commonly known as fireworks, including signaling devices such as flares, fuses, and torpedoes;
• The use of small arms ammunition and components thereof which are subject to the Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C., Section 44, and regulations promulgated there under. Any small arms ammunition and components thereof exempted by the Gun Control Act of 1968 and regulations promulgated thereunder are also exempted from the provisions of sections 319.300 to 319.345, RSMo;
• Any person performing duties using explosives within an industrial furnace;
• The use of agricultural fertilizers when used for agricultural or horticultural purposes;
• The use of explosives for lawful demolition of structures;
• The use of explosives by employees, agents, or contractors of rural electric cooperatives organized or operating under Chapter 394, RSMo;
• Individuals discharging historic firearms and cannon or reproductions of historic firearms and cannon; and
• Any person using explosive materials along with a well screen cleaning device for the purpose of unblocking clogged screens of agricultural irrigation wells located within the southeast Missouri regional water district as created in section 256.643.

The law requires explosives users or those intending to use explosives in Missouri to register with the Division of Fire Safety prior to using explosives in the state.

If you or your company meets the above definition of a user of explosives, please submit the completed "Explosive User Registration Application" and the initial $200 registration fee to the Missouri Division of Fire Safety before first using explosives in the state.

For persons using explosives at multiple locations under the operational control of one parent company or organization, only one registration fee for the parent company or organization shall be required. If you are involved in Missouri's blasting industry, it is your responsibility to be familiar with and know Missouri law, RSMo. 319.303 to 319.345.

Instructions for Registration

To ensure prompt processing of the Explosive Registration Application, follow the check list below:

• Complete the registration form
• Attach a copy of current Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive License/Permit.
• Submit $200 registration fee. Only cashier's checks, bank drafts, money orders or business checks payable to the "Division of Fire Safety" will be accepted. (Cash or personal checks will not be accepted.)
• Completed form and fee must be submitted before first using explosives in the state.
• Mail form and fee to Division of Fire Safety, Explosives Enforcement, P.O. Box 844, Jefferson City, MO 65102.