Are you allowed to stay on shot when lightning?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only If Lightning Is Far Away
• D. Only If You Wear Rubber Boots

Answer: (B)

Lightning safety around blasting operations is the key idea. When a storm is present, you should not stay on or near a shot. Explosives and the blasting system can be sensitive to electrical discharge, so a direct strike, ground current, or stray voltage can unintentionally initiate a blast or injure someone in the shot area. The safe action is to retreat to a designated shelter or a safe location away from the shot area and wait, typically at least 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder before re-entering or resuming work. Wearing rubber boots does not provide protection, and the distance of lightning doesn’t guarantee safety.