Washing out Misfires or Butts

What is a butt?

A butt is a left over blasting hole. If, once the face has been fired and left over blasting hole has explosive still in it then it is now a misfire.

Why do we need to wash butts/misfires out?

For safety, to get rid of the left over explosive.

When should this be done?

You should wash out what you can with the water spray from the supported ground, however once the cut has been bogged there may be more butts to wash out.

If a misfire is discovered then it must be reported to the shift boss and charge up are to be called to remove the leftover explosives and place it in the next firing.