O*NET Career Intelligence

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters

SOC 47-5031.00

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.

Zone 2 Construction and Extraction

Skills

Knowledge

Job Zone

Green

Top Skills 8

Active Listening

3.9

Monitoring

3.8

Critical Thinking

3.6

Judgment and Decision Making

3.6

Operation Monitoring

3.5

Operation and Control

3.5

Speaking

3.4

Complex Problem Solving

3.4

Knowledge Areas 8

Public Safety and Security

4.1

Law and Government

4.0

Mathematics

3.7

Engineering and Technology

3.3

Administration and Management

3.2

Customer and Personal Service

3.2

Transportation

3.2

English Language

3.1

Key Tasks

1Examine blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed.

2Tie specified lengths of delaying fuses into patterns in order to time sequences of explosions.

3Place 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.

4Place explosive charges in holes or other spots; then detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials.

5Insert, 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.

Also Known As

Aircraft Ordnance Technician Ammunition and Explosives Handler Blast Setter Blast Technician Blaster Blasting Clay Miner Blasting Coal Miner Blasting Contract Man Blasting Contract Miner Blasting Entry Specialist