Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
What is a Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters?
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters are specialized professionals who manage and deploy explosive materials for various purposes, including construction, mining, demolition, and military operations. They are responsible for weighing, measuring, and mixing explosive powders or chemicals, and they ensure the safe handling, storage, and transportation of these materials. Their work often involves following strict safety protocols and regulations to prevent accidents, injuries, or unintended detonations. These experts utilize a variety of tools and machinery to create controlled explosions that can facilitate excavation, building structures, or clearing land. Additionally, they conduct tests and inspections on explosives to ensure their functionality and compliance with safety standards. Their role is critical in industries where explosive materials are a necessity, requiring a high level of technical knowledge, attention to detail, and risk assessment capabilities.
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.
Technology Skills
-
Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
-
Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
-
Analytical or scientific software
- Blaster's Tool and Supply Company Blaster's Calculator
- Datavis DBS Designer
- DetNet ViewShot
-
Geographic information system
- ESRI ArcGIS software
-
Electronic mail software
- Microsoft Outlook
Tools Used
- Detonators
- Cargo trucks
- Voltage or current meters
- Remote reading thermometers
- Core drills
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.
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.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
-
High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
-
Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
-
Some college, no degree
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.
-
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 materials.
Detailed Work Activities
- Determine operational compliance with regulations or standards.
- Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
- Prepare explosives for detonation.
- Direct construction or extraction personnel.
- Position safety or support equipment.
Work Interests
-
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
-
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
-
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$42670.0 - $89400.0
New job opportunities are less likely in the future. : Below Average
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.