Who determines the levels of ground vibration and air blast that are safe for my home?
The U.S. Bureau of Mines has done much research in this area and has contributed a major part of the technical data on blast design and control. Other agencies, institutions, and individual investigators have contributed to the accumulated knowledge in this area. The current legal and recommended vibration limits result from this research. By complying with these limits and following safe blasting procedures, the risks to the surrounding area are minimized and even eliminated. There are many reports in published findings on this subject. One good resource is the book The Effects of Vibrations and Environmental Forces, authored by Lewis L. Oriard and published by the International Society of Explosives Engineers.
