Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, & Blasters
Blast Hole Driller, Blaster, Explosive Technician, Powderman
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, you 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.
Knowledge
Safety and Government
- public safety and security
- law and government
Math and Science
- arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Engineering and Technology
- product and service development
- mechanical
Business
- customer service
Skills
Basic Skills
- listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
- keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
Problem Solving
- noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Abilities
Hand and Finger Use
- hold or move items with your hands
- keep your arm or hand steady
Ideas and Logic
- notice when problems happen
- make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
Verbal
- listen and understand what people say
- communicate by speaking
Attention
- pay attention to something without being distracted
Personality
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Self Control
- Stress Tolerance
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Technology
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Analytical or scientific software
- Blaster's Tool and Supply Company Blaster's Calculator
- DetNet ViewShot
Education
Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
certificate after high school
usually needed
certificate after high school
usually needed
Get started on your career:
Find Training
Find Licenses
Apprenticeship.gov
Job Outlook
Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters.