Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters place and detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials. They perform specialized handling, storage, and accounting procedures.
A blaster, is an explosives worker, uses explosives and detonators to demolish structures or remove earth in a quarry, mine, or similar site. Blasters are responsible for carrying out duties per the provisions of the regulations and any orders concerning the transport and use of explosives and are responsible for the observance by their assistants.
To become a blaster, you need a high school diploma or equivalent. Most states require blasters to obtain a license to handle explosives. Qualifications for licensing vary but may include completing safety courses, passing an exam, and clearing a background check.
Unexploded ordnance tech jobs provide training and technical guidance to lower-level technicians. They handle, package, and transport hazardous ordnance material. Unexploded ordnance jobs focus on the threat of each explosive device within a set of munitions and have three levels of seniority.
This is a stressful career with far more risks than an average office job, but many explosive ordnance technicians enjoy their work because they know they are helping to save lives.
When performing essential job responsibilities, a successful blaster should possess hard skills in law enforcement rules and knowledge of explosive devices.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- B.Tech Mining Engineering
- B.E. Mining Engineering
- Diploma Mining Engineering
- Diploma Geology
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.
Progression Routes
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