Many changes in products, blasting techniques, field practices, and the regulatory environment have lead to the publication of this 18th edition. The material contained in this handbook is intended as a guide for skilled, experienced, and knowledgable users of commercial explosives and is not provided or recommended for the occasional user or novice. This book is important as an education resource and is not meant as a tool to teach explosives use without field experience under the supervision of an experienced blaster in an appropriate work setting.