Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters

Also called : Blast Hole Driller, Blaster, Explosive Technician, Powderman, Unexploded Ordnance Quality Control Officer

What they do

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.

On the job, one would

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.

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.

SKILLS

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.

Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

ABILITIES

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).

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 that there is a problem.

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.

Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

PERSONALITY

People interested in this work, will do well at jobs that need;

Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.

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.

Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

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.

Related Occupations

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers

Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas

Firefighters

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas

TECHNOLOGY

Analytical or scientific software

Computer aided design CAD software

Geographic information system

Mobile location based services software

Office suite software

Presentation software

Spreadsheet software

Word processing software

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Preparation
Some Preparation Needed
Education
High school diploma.
Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed.
Jobtraining
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.