Flyrock

Flyrock is rock debris that is propelled from the top of the blast hole during an explosion. Flyrock can be small rocks or large boulders. According to NIOSH, flyrock and failure to secure the blasting area dominate blasting-related accidents in mining, especially in surface mining. A report issued by NIOSH states that flyrock and lack of blast area security account for 58.7% to 77.4% of all surface mining blasting injuries. The Cape Cod Aggregate mine will put the neighborhood at risk for flyrock hazards for 30 years. According to the SME Mining Engineering Handbook, flyrock can travel as far as 3,300 feet. Cape Cod Aggregates has only proposed to help homeowners pay for damages if their homes are 500 feet or less from the blast site in Berkley and have made no proposals to pay for any property damages for homeowners in Freetown. Flyrock can occur even when all correct blasting procedures have been followed. Flyrock can and has smashed through roofs, walls, windows and doors of homes and buildings. At the April 7th public meeting of the Soil Board in Berkley, Cape Cod Aggregates representatives admitted they have had flyrock incidents that caused damage to neighbor’s homes. The same quarry owners using the same blasting company - A-1 Drilling and Blasting, had a serious flyrock accident at their site in West Roxburry this June. Flyrock flew 700 feet into neighbors' yards. One rock flew with such force, it broke through a stone wall in a neighbor's yard. Rocks were imbedded into the ground of yards, they landed with such force on impact. One man was on his deck with his grandchildren when their yard and deck were pelted with rocks. It was simply luck that no one was seriously injured in the accident. Flyrock poses a safety threat to the community. It has the potential to cause death and injury to people sheltered inside their homes during a blast.

Raymond, NH Scoundrel’s Salon was pelted with rocks after a blast at Raymond Sand and Gravel. Large rocks shattered windows and doors. Large rocks were embedded in walls. “The rocks came through at the level of my head,” said stylist Cilla Clement on WMUR, Channel 9 News.

Stuarts Draft, VA “Construction Worker Hurt in Blasting Accident Dies” A worker suffered a head injury when other workers were blasting at a Target Distribution Center construction project. A 10 to 15-pound rock propelled by the blast struck the worker who was then taken to an Intensive Care Unit via helicopter. He died the next day after undergoing surgery. Other workers said he ran for cover and was behind a van when the rock struck him, piercing his hard hat. [The Richmond Times Dispatch, Richmond, VA]

Braintree, MA “Hitting too Close to Home - Rocks from Blasting Rattle Neighbors” Blasting was being done at a cemetery to create more space for graves. Some rocks from the blast flew nearly800 feet, reaching some private property near the cemetery. A rock, the size of a softball, struck the roof of one of the neighbors’ houses. No one was injured. [Patriot Ledger Quincy, MA]
Appalachia, VA “Boy Killed by Flyrock; Va. Residents Cite Flawed Regs” A boulder crashed through a bedroom wall and onto the bed where a 3 year old boy was sleeping. The huge boulder continued its path, crashing through a closet before finally stopping at the foot of an 8-year-old boy’s bed. The 8-year old was fine. The 3-year old was crushed to death. [Washington Post, Jan. 6, 2005]

Why should people in Freetown and Berkley be worried that their personal bodily safety and the safety of their farm and domestic animals, cars and homes be jeopardized by flyrock?

Allowing a quarry to operate in a residential neighborhood puts residents at risk for hazards that did not previously exist. No one should be expected to pay property taxes and live with the potential for rocks to suddenly come crashing through their home.