Will “Highwall Drill Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

85% Chance of Automation

“Highwall Drill Operator” 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.

Care to share? Click for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or XING. 👍

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…

Tasks for “Highwall Drill Operator”

Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
Operate hoists to lift power line poles into position.
Withdraw drill rods from holes, and extract core samples.
Design well pumping systems.
Retract augers to force discharge dirt from holes.
Record drilling progress and geological data.
Inspect core samples to determine nature of strata, or take samples to laboratories for analysis.
Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.
Perform pumping tests to assess well performance.
Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites.
Retrieve lost equipment from bore holes, using retrieval tools and equipment.
Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
Observe electronic graph recorders and flow meters that monitor the water used to flush debris from holes.
Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
Pour water into wells, or pump water or slush into wells to cool drill bits and to remove drillings.
Review client requirements and proposed locations for drilling operations to determine feasibility, and to determine cost estimates.
Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.
Fabricate well casings.
Monitor drilling operations, checking gauges and listening to equipment to assess drilling conditions and to determine the need to adjust drilling or alter equipment.
Place and install screens, casings, pumps, and other well fixtures to develop wells.
Operate water-well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore, and dig for water wells or for environmental assessment purposes.
Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations.
Signal crane operators to move equipment.
Document geological formations encountered during work.
Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
Disinfect, reconstruct, and redevelop contaminated wells and water pumping systems, and clean and disinfect new wells in preparation for use.
Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.

Related Technology & Tools

Water test kits
Digital video cameras
Alternating current AC generators
Global positioning system GPS receivers
Mud mixers
Mud balances
Truck mounted cranes
Water logging tools
Mud guns
Bobcats
Chain slings
Desanders
Grout pumps
Laptop computers
Core drill rigs
Earth drilling machines
Marsh funnels
Personal computers
Power augers
Lube guns
Downhole well testing equipment
Mud rotary drills
Drill pipe tongs
Downhole hammers
Precision levels
Submerged arc welding tools
Field forklifts
Portable air compressors
Shale shakers
Water sampling bailers
Tablet computers
Pipe retrieval fishing tools
Backhoe-equipped tractors
Cable tool drills
Water level meters
Truck-mounted water pumps
Mud pumping equipment
Adjustable combination wrenches
Water monitoring samplers
Handheld remote thermometers
Trenchers
Rotary drilling tools
Work trucks
Drilling collars
Air rotary drills

Data entry software
Global positioning system GPS software
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office