ISEE PUBLIC EDUCATIONISEE PUBLIC EDUCATIONANDAND

PUBLIC RELATIONSPUBLIC RELATIONSCOMMITTEECOMMITTEE

PR AT THE DOORSTEPPR AT THE DOORSTEP

Presents

Chairmen: Kenneth K. Eltschlager and David Harrison

Public Relations at the Public Relations at the DoorstepDoorstep

Good public relations can reduce the Good public relations can reduce the number of complaints and claims - number of complaints and claims - providing long term cost savings.providing long term cost savings.

Poor relations programs can result in a Poor relations programs can result in a substantially higher number of complaints substantially higher number of complaints and claims resulting in additional financial and claims resulting in additional financial expenditures. (Costs – later in program)expenditures. (Costs – later in program)

These additional expenditures may include These additional expenditures may include personnel costs, consulting fees, insurance personnel costs, consulting fees, insurance deductibles, settlement costs, legal fees, deductibles, settlement costs, legal fees, and judgments.and judgments.

PR At The DoorstepPR At The DoorstepTips for Meeting with Tips for Meeting with

Property OwnersProperty Owners

September 14, 2007September 14, 2007Carolinas’ Chapter SEECarolinas’ Chapter SEE

Annual Conference and MeetingAnnual Conference and Meeting

Hosted by: Ken Eltschlager Hosted by: Ken Eltschlager

Why do we need to communicate with thepublic when blasting is required in the

neighborhood?

• To educate the public as to what they should expect during the blasting

• To explain that the blaster is a trained professional

• To assure that safe blasting practices will be followed and vibration and airblast limits will be observed to protect surrounding structures from damage

• To provide a contact person!!!

Caution!Caution!

Blasting is a complicated topic and all aspects are not well understood by the general public

Giving neighbors too much information may be confusing. Misunderstandings can eventually lead to problems for the blaster

Everyone should work together while remaining independent and objective

For Starters…

Pre-blast surveys are good a public relations opportunity

Establish credibility and improve the neighbor’s confidence

Dispel the media myths of blasting Sell the blaster’s ability and

professionalismDocument pre-existing conditions

-On the Doorstep--On the Doorstep-Blasters, Surveyors, Seismograph Blasters, Surveyors, Seismograph

Operators, Consultants, Etc.Operators, Consultants, Etc.Need to Know :Need to Know :

Project DetailsProject DetailsWhereWhere Blasting is Going to Occur Blasting is Going to OccurWhyWhy Blasting is being Conducted Blasting is being Conducted HowHow Blasting will be Conducted Blasting will be ConductedWhenWhen Blasting is Going to Occur Blasting is Going to OccurWhoWho is doing the Blasting is doing the BlastingWhat What can the Owner Expectcan the Owner Expect

Project DetailsProject Details

ConstructionConstructionQuarryQuarryCoal MineCoal MineExplorationExplorationDemolitionDemolitionDisposalDisposal

WhereWhere Will the Blasting Will the Blasting Occur?Occur?

Direction from the ResidenceDirection from the Residence

Distance from the ResidenceDistance from the Residence

Discuss Locations of Blasting within Discuss Locations of Blasting within the Projectthe Project

Know the contract specificationsKnow the contract specifications

WhenWhen Will Blasting Be Will Blasting Be Conducted?Conducted?

Notification to be Provided in AdvanceNotification to be Provided in Advance

Pre Blast Survey AvailabilityPre Blast Survey Availability

Schedule - Schedule - Dates and Times of Planned Blasts

Daily Warning Signals – Give Details if Daily Warning Signals – Give Details if KnownKnown

WhyWhy is Blasting Being is Blasting Being Conducted?Conducted?

Most Efficient method to remove rockMost Efficient method to remove rock

Most Cost EffectiveMost Cost Effective

Other methods not possible or Other methods not possible or

feasiblefeasible

Know project detailsKnow project details

HowHow will Blasting be will Blasting be Conducted?Conducted?

Blasting Will be Done Safely Blasting Will be Done Safely

Blasting Professionals will be in ChargeBlasting Professionals will be in Charge

Material will be Confined to project areaMaterial will be Confined to project area

Emphasize state-of-the-art productsType of explosives All Charges Delayed – a series of small All Charges Delayed – a series of small

blastsblasts

WhoWho will Conduct the Blasting? will Conduct the Blasting?

Licensed or Certified Blasters Licensed or Certified Blasters Qualified Blasting ProfessionalsQualified Blasting Professionals Insured Companies Insured Companies The experience of the blaster must

be emphasized

WhoWho Will Evaluate the Blasting? Will Evaluate the Blasting?

Blaster Blaster Contact:Contact:

Regulatory Agency Regulatory Agency Contact: Contact:

Engineers and/or Seismic SpecialistsEngineers and/or Seismic Specialists Contact:Contact:

Daily Blast Records will be Kept Assure that the blaster attained all

necessary permits Know policy and procedures of the companyKnow policy and procedures of the company Know any special precautions the blaster

plans to use to limit flyrock, airblast, and vibrations must be stressed

WhatWhat can I Expect of the can I Expect of the Blasting?Blasting?

You will probably feel the vibrations in You will probably feel the vibrations in your houseyour house

Vibrations are normalVibrations are normalFeeling vibrations does not mean Feeling vibrations does not mean

damagedamageDiscuss ground vibrations and airblastReiterate that the blaster understands

how to control off-site impactsDescribe how may affect daily life

Public Relations at the Public Relations at the DoorstepDoorstep

Attitude and Professionalism of the Attitude and Professionalism of the Person at the Doorstep is Critical.Person at the Doorstep is Critical.

The People Visiting the Neighboring The People Visiting the Neighboring Properties Represent Their ClientProperties Represent Their Client

First Impressions Set the Tone First Impressions Set the Tone for the Duration of the Project or for the Duration of the Project or MineMine

At the DoorstepAt the Doorstep

It is noticed if the representatives are friendly, It is noticed if the representatives are friendly, nice, neat, polite, knowledgeable, and nice, neat, polite, knowledgeable, and concerned.concerned.

It is especially noticeable if representatives It is especially noticeable if representatives are rude, seemingly incompetent or are rude, seemingly incompetent or unprofessional.unprofessional.

Consultants, seismograph operators and Consultants, seismograph operators and blasters must maintain a keen sense of public blasters must maintain a keen sense of public relations awareness every time they engage relations awareness every time they engage the public.the public.

Next….Next….

Face to Face EncountersFace to Face Encounters

??? How do ??? How do YOUYOU look in public ??? look in public ???