Explosives Worker
Other Titles
Blaster, Ordnance Handling Expert; Explosive Technician, Unexploded Ordnance Quality Control Officer
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.
Assemble and position equipment, explosives, and blasting caps in holes at specified depths, or load perforating guns or torpedoes with explosives.
Verify detonation of charges by observing control panels, or by listening for the sounds of blasts.
Move and store inventories of explosives, loaded perforating guns, and other materials, according to established safety procedures.
Light fuses, drop detonating devices into wells or boreholes, or activate firing devices with plungers, dials, or buttons, in order to set off single or multiple blasts.
Drive trucks to transport explosives and blasting equipment to blasting sites.
Cut specified lengths of primacord and attach primers to cord ends.
Maintain inventory levels, ordering new supplies as necessary.
Set up and operate equipment such as hoists, jackhammers, or drills, in order to bore charge holes.
Repair and service blasting, shooting, and automotive equipment, and electrical wiring and instruments, using hand tools.
Set up and operate short-wave radio or field telephone equipment to transmit and receive blast information.
Insert waterproof sealers, bullets, and/or powder charges into guns, and screw gun ports back into place.
Clean, gauge, and lubricate gun ports.
Connect gun chambers to electric detonating devices, and operate controls at panelboards, in order to detonate charges in guns or to ignite chemical charges.
Lower perforating guns into wells, using hoists; then use measuring devices and instrument panels to position guns in correct positions for taking samples.
Insert powder charges into chambers of sidewall sample-taking cylinders, and assemble cylinders, using special wrenches.
Obtain samples of earth from sidewalls of well boreholes, using electrically exploding devices.
Signal hoist operators to lower torpedoes or sample-taking guns into wells and to raise equipment for sampling from blast holes after detonation.
Observe odometers, weight indicators, and instrument panels in trucks in order to position guns at predetermined points in wells.
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.
Operation Monitoring→ Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Complex Problem Solving→ Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Speaking→ Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Time Management→ Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Active Learning→ Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Coordination→ Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Reading Comprehension→ Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Instructing→ Teaching others how to do something.
Learning Strategies→ Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Management of Personnel Resources→ Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
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.
Documenting/Recording Information→ Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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.
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.
Training and Teaching Others→ Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment→ Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Controlling Machines and Processes→ Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work→ Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information→ Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates→ Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People→ Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Processing Information→ Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others→ Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Scheduling Work and Activities→ Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization→ Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Developing and Building Teams→ Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates→ Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Performing Administrative Activities→ Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Thinking Creatively→ Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Coaching and Developing Others→ Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Monitoring and Controlling Resources→ Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Analyzing Data or Information→ Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships→ Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment→ Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic principles.
Developing Objectives and Strategies→ Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others→ Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others→ Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Prepare explosives for detonation.
Direct construction or extraction personnel.
Position safety or support equipment.
Operate detonation equipment.
Pour materials into or on designated areas.
Mark reference points on construction materials.
Record operational or environmental data.
Measure work site dimensions.
Assemble products or production equipment.
Position construction or extraction equipment.
Monitor extraction operations.
Drive trucks or truck-mounted equipment.
Cut carpet, vinyl or other flexible materials.
Order construction or extraction materials or equipment.
Maintain extraction or excavation equipment.
Clean equipment or facilities.
Load materials into construction equipment.
Drill holes in earth or rock.
Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
Collect geological samples.
Signal equipment operators to indicate proper equipment positioning.
Repair electrical equipment.
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 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.
Inductive Reasoning→ The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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).
Oral Comprehension→ The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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.
Oral Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Multilimb Coordination→ The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Reaction Time→ The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
Control Precision→ The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Visual Color Discrimination→ The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
Depth Perception→ The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
Selective Attention→ The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Category Flexibility→ The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Flexibility of Closure→ The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Perceptual Speed→ The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Speech Clarity→ The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Far Vision→ The ability to see details at a distance.
Speech Recognition→ The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Visualization→ The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Extent Flexibility→ The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Hearing Sensitivity→ The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
Static Strength→ The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Time Sharing→ The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
Trunk Strength→ The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Written Comprehension→ The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Public Safety and Security→ Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local 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.
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.
Transportation→ Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Language→ Knowledge of the structure and content of a language - English, French, Swahili et cetera - including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mechanical→ Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Production and Processing→ Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Analytical or scientific software -- e.g., Drill and blast design and management software; D blast timing software; Blaster's calculator; Blaster's handbook; Datavis DBS Designer; DetNet ViewShot
Computer aided design CAD software -- e.g., Autodesk AutoCAD
Map creation software -- Geographic information system GIS software; Orbital Africa; ESRI ArcGIS software; Maptitude Mapping Software
Mobile location based services software -- e.g., Global Positioning System GPS software
Office suite software -- e.g., Corel WordPerfect Office; Microsoft Office
Presentation software -- e.g., Corel Presentations; Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software -- e.g., Corel Quattro Pro; Google Sheets; Microsoft Excel
Word processing software -- e.g., Corel Wordperfect; Microsoft Word
Air compressors→ Portable air compressors
Ammeters→ Digital ammeters
Ammonium nitrate and fuel oil ANFO loading machinery→ Ammonium nitrate fuel oil ANFO loaders
Blaster tools→ Blast hole tubing
Blasting caps→ Explosive blasting caps
Cable reels→ Wheeled wire dispensers
Calibrated resistance measuring equipment→ Resistance testers
Calipers→ Vernier calipers
Capsule guns→ Perforating capsule guns
Cargo trucks→ Stakebed trucks; Tractor-trailer trucks; Transport trucks
Casing guns→ Perforating casing guns
Circuit tester→ Electrical circuit testers; Fuse testers
Clinometers
Completion bull plugs→ Hole savers; Plastic plugs
Compressed air gun→ Avalaunchers
Conduit benders→ Conduit bending tools
Core drills→ Blasthole drills
Cylinder gauge→ Ring gauges
Depth gauges→ Depth measurement gauges
Detonator box→ Blasting machines; Remote blasting systems
Detonators→ Instantaneous electrical detonators; Remote firing devices; Shock tube detonators; Short period delay detonators (see all 6 examples)
Dewatering pumps
Dollies→ Equipment dollies
Ear plugs→ Protective ear plugs
End cut pliers→ End cutting pliers
Explosive initiators→ Electronic shock tube initiators
Explosive loading machinery spare parts or accessories→ Loading poles
Explosives fuses→ Detonating cords; Safety fuses
Fish tape→ Wire loop pullers
Flags or accessories→ Stake flags
Forklifts
Galvanometers
Goggles→ Safety goggles
Grab hooks→ Grappling hooks; Harpoon retrievers; Lowering hooks
Hacksaw→ Hacksaws
Hard hats
Hazardous materials cabinets→ Day boxes
Hoists→ Hoisting equipment
Industrial funnels→ Explosives funnels
Knife blades→ Fixed blade knives
Ladders→ Extension ladders
Levels→ Torpedo levels
Linemans pliers→ Insulated pliers
Longnose pliers
Measuring rods→ Surveyors leveling rods
Mechanical balances→ Balance scales
Megohmmeters→ Meggers
Micrometers→ Digital micrometers
Multimeters→ Digital multimeters
Notebook computers→ Laptop computers
Ohmmeters→ Digital ohmmeters
Open end wrenches→ Crescent wrenches
Pallet trucks→ Pallet jacks
Personal computers
Phasemeters→ Phase rotation meters
Pick or place robots→ Explosives handling robots
Plumb bobs
Pneumatic drill→ Pneumatic drilling equipment
Pneumatic hammer→ Jackhammers
Pocket knives→ Folding knives
Pressure indicators→ Hydraulic pressure gauges
Prisms→ Right angle prisms
Protective gloves→ Coated gloves; Padded gloves
Pull spring balances→ Spring scales
Radio frequency transmitters or receivers→ Short-wave radios
Rangefinders→ Laser rangefinders
Remote reading thermometers→ Bore hole thermometers; Temperature data loggers
Respirators→ Protective respirators
Rubber mallet→ Rubber mallets
Safety glasses→ Protective safety glasses
Safety harnesses or belts→ Safety harnesses
Scientific calculator→ Digital calculators
Screwdrivers→ Phillips head screwdrivers
Seismic recorders or seismographs→ Seismic activity recorders
Shears→ Hand shears
Signal generators→ Portable signal generators
Sirens→ Warning sirens
Special hoses→ Discharge hoses
Stonemason chisel→ Hand chisels
Stripping tools→ Wire strippers
Strobe or warning lights→ Flashing warning lights
Tampers→ Tamping rods
Tape measures→ Weighted tape measures
Tie down anchors→ Tie-down equipment
Time delay fuses→ Explosives time delay fuses
Tongue and groove pliers
Track cranes→ Overhead cranes
Traffic cones or delineators→ Safety cones
Tweezers→ Precision tweezers
Two way radios→ Mobile radios
Utility knives→ Electricians' knives
Voltage or current meters→ Digital voltmeters; Millivoltmeters; Non-contact voltage testers; Test lamps
Wattmeters→ Digital wattmeters
Wedges→ Wood wedges
Wire brushes→ Wire cleaning brushes
Wire connectors→ Surface connector blocks
Wire cutters→ Fuse cutters; Wire cutting tools
Wire lug crimping tool→ Blasting cap crimpers
Workshop cranes→ Portable cranes
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.
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.
Achievement/Effort→ Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Concern for Others→ Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Independence→ Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Persistence→ Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Innovation→ Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
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 employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
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.