Will “Blast Hole Driller” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔
85% Chance of Automation
“Blast Hole Driller” will probably be replaced by robots.
This job is ranked #488 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.
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Job Description
Operate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap sub-surface water and salt deposits, to remove core samples during mineral exploration or soil testing, and to facilitate the use of explosives in mining or construction. May use explosives. Includes horizontal and earth boring machine operators.
Job Details
- The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 47-5021.00
- The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 51,240.00
- The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 24.00
- Currently, there are 18,500 people on this job
☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas”.
Also Known As…
- Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
- Well Driller
- Rock Drill Operator
- Overburden Drill Operator
- Highwall Drill Operator
- Hard Rock Drill Operator
- Driller
- Drill Operator
- Blasting Production Technician
- Blaster
- Blast Hole Driller
- Well Testing Operator
- Well Driller Helper
- Well Drill Operator
- Well Digger
- Water Well Driller
- Wash Driller
- Wagoner
- Wagon Driller
- Wagon Drill Operator
- Tunneling Machine Operator
- Test Driller
- Test Borer
- Stoper
- Soil Sampler
- Shot Core Drill Operator
- Raise Driller
- Post Hole Digging Machine Operator
- Post Hole Digger
- Operating Engineer
- Mine Equipment Operator
- Machine Driller
- Jumper
- Hydraulic Rock Drill Operator
- Horizontal Earth Boring Machine Operator
- Horizontal Drill Operator
- Hole Digger Operator
- Heavy Equipment Operator
- Ground Water Contractor
- Geothermal Operating Engineer
- Geotechnical Operating Engineer
- Foundation Drill Operator
- Explosive Bore Hole Driller
- Environmental Sampler
- Electric Drill Operator
- Earth Boring Machine Operator
- Earth Auger Operator
- Drilling Machine Runner
- Drilling Machine Operator
- Drill Runner
- Drill Hand
- Directional Driller
- Diamond Driller
- Deep Well Contractor
- Core Sampler
- Core Driller
- Core Drill Operator
- Construction Driller
- Coal Mine Bore Hole Drill Operator
- Churn Driller
- Churn Drill Operator
- Boring Machine Operator
- Auger Operator
Tasks for “Blast Hole Driller”
- Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
- Review client requirements and proposed locations for drilling operations to determine feasibility, and to determine cost estimates.
- Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
- Record drilling progress and geological data.
- Place and install screens, casings, pumps, and other well fixtures to develop wells.
- Perform pumping tests to assess well performance.
- Document geological formations encountered during work.
- Retract augers to force discharge dirt from holes.
- Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations.
- Operate hoists to lift power line poles into position.
- Withdraw drill rods from holes, and extract core samples.
- Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.
- Operate water-well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore, and dig for water wells or for environmental assessment purposes.
- Inspect core samples to determine nature of strata, or take samples to laboratories for analysis.
- Retrieve lost equipment from bore holes, using retrieval tools and equipment.
- Signal crane operators to move equipment.
- Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
- Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.
- Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
- Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
- Observe electronic graph recorders and flow meters that monitor the water used to flush debris from holes.
- Design well pumping systems.
- Disinfect, reconstruct, and redevelop contaminated wells and water pumping systems, and clean and disinfect new wells in preparation for use.
- Pour water into wells, or pump water or slush into wells to cool drill bits and to remove drillings.
- Fabricate well casings.
- Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
- Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
- Monitor drilling operations, checking gauges and listening to equipment to assess drilling conditions and to determine the need to adjust drilling or alter equipment.
- Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites.
- Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
Related Technology & Tools
- Precision levels
- Backhoe-equipped tractors
- Portable air compressors
- Handheld remote thermometers
- Truck mounted cranes
- Lube guns
- Core drill rigs
- Mud mixers
- Downhole hammers
- Mud pumping equipment
- Alternating current AC generators
- Water monitoring samplers
- Downhole well testing equipment
- Power augers
- Field forklifts
- Tablet computers
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Submerged arc welding tools
- Adjustable combination wrenches
- Drill pipe tongs
- Pipe retrieval fishing tools
- Bobcats
- Marsh funnels
- Desanders
- Rotary drilling tools
- Earth drilling machines
- Chain slings
- Personal computers
- Shale shakers
- Trenchers
- Water sampling bailers
- Grout pumps
- Water test kits
- Water level meters
- Laptop computers
- Truck-mounted water pumps
- Mud balances
- Air rotary drills
- Work trucks
- Mud rotary drills
- Drilling collars
- Water logging tools
- Digital video cameras
- Mud guns
- Cable tool drills
- Microsoft Word
- Global positioning system GPS software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Data entry software