CHAPTER 537

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered
40-20.1, authorizing the Safety Codes Commission to regulate the
handling, storage and use of explosives or blasting agents; to define
the terms “explosives” and “blasting agents’; and to provide a

penalty.
[H 548]
Approved March 31, 1962

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia be amended by adding a section numbered
40-20.1, as follows:

§ 40-20.1. (a) Whenever used in this section:

(1) “Explosives” means commercial explosives which are classified
as of the effective date of this act in the regulations of the Interstate Com-
merce Commission for transportation of explosives and other dangerous
articles as Class A, Class B or Class C explosives, and include but are not
limited to dynamite, black blasting powder, pellet powder, initiating ex-
plosives, blasting caps, electric blasting caps, safety fuse, fuse igniters,
fuse lighters, squibs, cordeau detonant fuse, instantaneous fuse, igniter
cord and igniters.

(2) “Blasting agent” means any insensitive chemical composition or
mixture of such insensitive compositions, containing no nitroglycerin or
powder, which can be made to explode when initiated with an explosive
primer.

(b) The Safety Codes Commission, with the advice of the Commis-
sioner, is hereby authorized to adopt, alter, amend or repeal rules and
regulations relating to the handling, storage and use of explosives or
blasting agents, and enforce such rules and regulations. Such rules and
regulations shall, insofar as practicable, be based upon the recommenda-
tions of recognized bodies in the field of demolition and explosives, and
generally recognized bodies in the field of safety in the use of explosives
and blasting agents which have promulgated standards for the protection
of the public in such cases.

(c) Chapter 1.1 of Title 9 of the Code of Virginia shall apply to the
adoption of rules and regulations under this section and to proceedings
before the Commission.

(d) Any person violating such rules and regulations shall be guilty
of a misdemeanor. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.