Description:
Place and detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials. May perform specialized handling, storage, and accounting procedures. Includes seismograph shooters.
Tasks
- Examine blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed.
- Tie specified lengths of delaying fuses into patterns in order to time sequences of explosions.
- Place safety cones around blast areas to alert other workers of danger zones, and signal workers as necessary to ensure that they clear blast sites prior to explosions.
- Place explosive charges in holes or other spots; then detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials.
- Insert, pack, and pour explosives, such as dynamite, ammonium nitrate, black powder, or slurries into blast holes; then shovel drill cuttings, admit water into boreholes, and tamp material to compact charges.
- Mark patterns, locations, and depths of charge holes for drilling, and issue drilling instructions.
- Compile and keep gun and explosives records in compliance with local and federal laws.
- Measure depths of drilled blast holes, using weighted tape measures.
- Connect electrical wire to primers, and cover charges or fill blast holes with clay, drill chips, sand, or other material.
- Lay primacord between rows of charged blast holes, and tie cord into main lines to form blast patterns.
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security
- Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
- Law and Government
- Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
- Mathematics
- Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Engineering and Technology
- Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
- Administration and Management
- Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- Transportation
- Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
- Customer and Personal Service
- Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- English Language
- Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Production and Processing
- Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
- Mechanical
- Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Active Listening
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Troubleshooting
- Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
- Active Learning
- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Operation and Control
- Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Mathematics
- Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Critical Thinking
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Monitoring
- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Equipment Selection
- Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Abilities
- Problem Sensitivity
- The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
- Manual Dexterity
- The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
- Near Vision
- The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
- Information Ordering
- The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
- Inductive Reasoning
- The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Deductive Reasoning
- The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Oral Comprehension
- The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression
- The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Finger Dexterity
- The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Work Activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Getting Information
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Work Context
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
- Outdoors, Exposed to Weather
- How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
- Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
- How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
- Face-to-Face Discussions
- How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
- Responsible for Others' Health and Safety
- How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
- Telephone
- How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
- Exposed to Contaminants
- How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
- Contact With Others
- How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Interests
- Realistic
- Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Investigative
- Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Conventional
- Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
- Enterprising
- Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
- Artistic
- Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
- Social
- Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Work Style
- Attention to Detail
- Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Integrity
- Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Dependability
- Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Self Control
- Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
- Stress Tolerance
- Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
- Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
- Initiative
- Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
- Cooperation
- Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
- Analytical Thinking
- Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
- Leadership
- Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Work Value
- Support
- Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
- Independence
- Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
- Achievement
- Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Working Conditions
- Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
- Relationships
- Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
- Recognition
- Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Related Occupations
Common Lay Titles
- Aircraft Ordnance Technician
- Blast Setter
- Blaster
- Blasting Clay Miner
- Blasting Coal Miner
- Blasting Contract Man
- Blasting Contract Miner
- Blasting Entry Specialist
- Blasting Entryman
- Blasting Gang Miner
- Blasting Miner
- Bomb Technician
- Charger
- Coal Shooter
- Company Miner, Blasting
- Copper Miner, Blasting
- Demolition Expert
- Demolition Worker
- Dobie Man
- Dobie Worker
- Driftman
- Dynamite Shooter
- Dynamiter
- Efficiency Miner, Blasting
- Explosive Expert
- Explosive Man
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Manager
- Explosive Ordnance Handler
- Explosive Ordnance Manager
- Explosive Ordnance Specialist
- Explosive Ordnance Technician
- Explosive Specialist
- Explosive Technician
- Explosives Detonator
- Firer
- Fuse Cutter
- Gold Miner, Blasting
- Gun Perforator
- Gun Perforator Loader
- Hard Rock Miner, Blasting
- High Scaler
- Hydraulic Miner, Blasting
- Iron Miner, Blasting
- Lead Miner, Blasting
- Lode Miner, Blasting
- Metal Miner, Blasting
- Mica Miner, Blasting
- Miner
- Muck Miner, Blasting
- Nitro Man
- Nitro Worker
- Oil Well Gun Perforator Operator
- Oil Well Perforator Operator
- Oil Well Shooter
- Ordnance Artificer
- Ordnance Handler
- Ordnance Keeper
- Ore Miner, Blasting
- Perforator
- Perforator Loader
- Perforator Operator
- Pillar Man
- Pillar Worker
- Powder Loader
- Powder Worker
- Powderman
- Quartz Miner, Blasting
- Robber
- Sample Taker Operator
- Seismograph Shooter
- Shaft Sinker
- Shale Miner, Blasting
- Shooter
- Shot Fireman
- Shot Firer
- Shot Hole Shooter
- Shot Lighter
- Shot Man
- Shotblaster
- Silver Miner, Blasting
- Skip Miner, Blasting
- Stump Blower
- Stump Shooter
- Tier and Detonator
- Torpedo Man
- Torpedo Shooter
- Torpedo Worker
- Tunnel Man
- Tunnel Worker
- Unexploded Ordnance Quality Control Officer
- Velocity Shooter
- Well Blower
- Well Shooter
- Zinc Miner, Blasting