Article 23 of the Saudi Explosives and Fireworks Law
المادة 23 من نظام المتفجرات والمفرقعات · الفصل الثالث: العقوبات
The article punishes a blasting technician who is negligent, makes a technical error or breaches his permit conditions with a warning, a fine of up to SAR 20,000, a ban on blasting within cities or suspension, without prejudice to the injured party's right to compensation.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع عدم الإخلال بحق من لحقه ضرر بالتعويض يعاقب فني التفجير - متى ثبت إهماله أو ارتكابه خطأ فنيا في التشغيل أو خالف
أيا من شروط التصريح الممنوح له - بإحدى العقوبات الآتية:
أ - الإنذار بالإيقاف عن مزاولة أعمال التفجير.
ب - غرامة مالية لا تتجاوز عشرين ألف ريال.
ج - المنع من مزاولة أعمال التفجير داخل المدن.
د - الإيقاف عن مزاولة أعمال التفجير لمدة محددة أو دائمة.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 23 explained in plain English
This article concerns the blasting technician, meaning a person who carries out blasting work under a permit. Article 10 leaves it to the Implementing Regulations to set the conditions for obtaining blasting technician permits, and Article 9 limits blasting work to permit holders.
When is he punished? When any of the following is established against him:
- Negligence.
- A technical error in operation.
- Breaching any of the conditions of the permit granted to him.
What is the penalty? One of the following:
- A warning of suspension from carrying out blasting work.
- A fine of up to SAR 20,000.
- A ban on carrying out blasting work within cities.
- Suspension from carrying out blasting work, for a fixed period or permanently.
The phrase "one of the penalties" means the penalty is one of these; the article does not state the criterion for choosing among them.
The injured party's right: the article opens with the words "without prejudice to the right of anyone who suffers harm to compensation"; punishing the technician does not remove the right of someone harmed by the negligence or error, such as the owner of a neighboring building or an injured person, to claim compensation. Article 13 gives the Board of Grievances jurisdiction over compensation claims under this Law.
This article differs from Article 18, which punishes the permit holder (such as a company) if it uses a person who is not licensed to carry out blasting work. Anyone harmed by blasting work, or penalized as a technician, may consult a lawyer specializing in civil and compensation cases or in criminal cases.
Practical example
A blasting technician carries out excavation work for a project near a residential neighborhood in Makkah, and it is established that he made an error in operation, damaging the facade of a neighboring house. He may be punished with one of the penalties in the article, such as a ban on blasting within cities, and the homeowner keeps his right to claim compensation.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 23 of the Saudi Explosives and Fireworks Law
What is the penalty for a blasting technician who makes a mistake?
One of the following: a warning of suspension, a fine of up to SAR 20,000, a ban on blasting within cities, or suspension for a fixed period or permanently.
Am I entitled to compensation if I am harmed by blasting work?
Yes. The article provides that the right of anyone who suffers harm to compensation is not affected, and under Article 13 the Board of Grievances has jurisdiction over compensation claims.
More articles on Violations by Explosives Permit Holders
- Article 18
The article punishes a permit holder in the explosives field with a fine of up to SAR 100,000 for breaching the permit, transport or storage conditions or committing one of the other listed violations.
يعاقب المصرح له بصناعة المتفجرات ، أو استيرادها، أو تصديرها، أو استعمالها، أو تداولها؛ بغرامة مالية لا تتجاوز مائة ألف ريال، إذا قام بأي من الأفعال الآتية: أ -
- Article 19
The article punishes a permit holder in the explosives field with a fine of up to SAR 50,000 for continuing his activity after the permit expires without applying for renewal within 3 months, or for breaching the guarding conditions.
يعاقب المصرح له بصناعة المتفجرات ، أو استيرادها، أو تصديرها، أو استعمالها، أو تداولها؛ بغرامة مالية لا تتجاوز خمسين ألف ريال في الحالات الآتية: أ - إذا انتهت مد
- Article 20
The article allows the Minister of Interior to suspend all explosives-activity permits for up to 60 days where the conditions for warehouses or means of transport are breached, and to cancel them if the violation is repeated.
للوزير إيقاف جميع التصاريح المتعلقة بنشاط المتفجرات لمدة لا تزيد على ستين يوما إذا لم يلتزم أصحابها بشروط مستودعات تخزين المتفجرات ، ومواصفاتها، أو الوسائط التي
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.