Chris Catalano
Blasting/Explosives Industry Professional & Consultant, State Regulatory Official (Pennsylvania),
Author of Christian Fiction and Non-fiction, Physical Science (Environmental Geology) Major
"It takes a lifetime to build credibility, and a few seconds to destroy it."
Consulting
I am a blasting and explosives technical consultant primarily servicing the mining, construction, and explosives industries. I also provide some limited independent GIS work and often combine the two disciplines. I come to the table with over two decades of experience having served both in field as a blaster and in the public sector as a state government regulator. I can help you with blasting program evaluation, recordkeeping, project planning, violation response, and incident/accident investigation and response, all from the perspective of both an experienced blaster and a regulator. A few of the services I can provide include:
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Complaint and pre-complaint response development
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Permit preparation assistance
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Blasting program assessment
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Training
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Corrective action preparation
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Incident evaluation or second look
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Incident mapping and other GIS
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Violation response
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Technical document preparation
Need something you don't see listed here? One thing I learned very quickly when working in the film and entertainment industry is you never know what you may be asked to do next. Likewise, the world of blasting and explosives is a diverse and ever changing industry, often with needs arising that no one has yet had to deal with.
I am always working hard to adapt, increase my knowledge base, and provide new valuable services to my clients. So, even if you do not see a service listed here that appears to meet your specific needs, please feel free to contact me to see if I can help. After all, you never know until you ask!
My approach
Potter Stewart, late justice of the Supreme Court is quoted as having said, "Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do." I believe that community-minded and environmentally-minded ethics blended with the operational realities of our industry should be the cornerstone of any blasting operation or other use of explosives. I believe that the best approach to blasting is one that combines sound practices with appropriate consideration of both the environmental impact blasting may have, as well as the effect it may have on the surrounding community.
When it comes to complaint mitigation and response, I believe that planning ahead for the inevitable, especially in a complaint-prone environment is vital to any operation's overall success and public image.
My approach to blasting, public response, and violation/incident response is about much more than giving lip service. It is an approach that ensures an operation does not view itself as existing in a bubble, separate from the rest of the community around it or its own workers. When this perspective is kept in mind it allows effective, honest complaint response, incident evaluation, and mitigation, all while building a strong positive public image and strengthening workplace relationships.