Flyrock has killed and injured people. Flying material, both within the blast area and outside it, is responsible for over half of all blasting-related injuries and fatalities. Records from the Mine Safety and Health Administration for 1994-2001 show that in surface mining, 32 people were killed or badly hurt because the blast area was not cleared. Another 17 people were injured or killed by rocks that were thrown outside of the blast area. This total (49 people) is greater than the combined total of the other blast accident causes in mining (premature blast, transporting explosives, fumes, and misfires). Flyrock is a potential hazard anytime and anywhere there is blasting.

The objective of this toolbox training on Flyrock Awareness is to improve blast safety by providing information about blasting to those who work around blast sites.

The materials include four pamphlets with tear-off cards: Toolbox Lesson A - What is flyrock?; Toolbox Lesson B - Recognize Blast Area and Signals; Toolbox Lesson C - Clear the Blast Area; Toolbox Lesson D - Protect Yourself. On one side of each pamphlet is a description of the dangers and safety problems that could exist around blasting. On the reverse side, there is a list of best practices and a set of talking points. There is a set of postcards for three of the pamphlets. These postcards contain related photos and drawings. There is also a record sheet, which can be photocopied and used to record training activities.