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48% Chance of Automation

“Torpedo Man” will probably not be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #292 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

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. Includes seismograph shooters.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 47-5031.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 54,580.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 26.00
Currently, there are 6,310 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Torpedo Man”

Lay primacord between rows of charged blast holes, and tie cord into main lines to form blast patterns.
Observe odometers, weight indicators, and instrument panels in trucks in order to position guns at predetermined points in wells.
Light fuses, drop detonating devices into wells or boreholes, or activate firing devices with plungers, dials, or buttons, in order to set off single or multiple blasts.
Cut specified lengths of primacord and attach primers to cord ends.
Verify detonation of charges by observing control panels, or by listening for the sounds of blasts.
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.
Insert powder charges into chambers of sidewall sample-taking cylinders, and assemble cylinders, using special wrenches.
Set up and operate short-wave radio or field telephone equipment to transmit and receive blast information.
Measure depths of drilled blast holes, using weighted tape measures.
Examine blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed.
Lower perforating guns into wells, using hoists; then use measuring devices and instrument panels to position guns in correct positions for taking samples.
Signal hoist operators to lower torpedoes or sample-taking guns into wells and to raise equipment for sampling from blast holes after detonation.
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.
Maintain inventory levels, ordering new supplies as necessary.
Compile and keep gun and explosives records in compliance with local and federal laws.
Set up and operate equipment such as hoists, jackhammers, or drills, in order to bore charge holes.
Repair and service blasting, shooting, and automotive equipment, and electrical wiring and instruments, using hand tools.
Assemble and position equipment, explosives, and blasting caps in holes at specified depths, or load perforating guns or torpedoes with explosives.
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 waterproof sealers, bullets, and/or powder charges into guns, and screw gun ports back into place.
Repair electrical instruments, using electricians' hand tools.
Obtain samples of earth from sidewalls of well boreholes, using electrically exploding devices.
Connect gun chambers to electric detonating devices, and operate controls at panelboards, in order to detonate charges in guns or to ignite chemical charges.
Move and store inventories of explosives, loaded perforating guns, and other materials, according to established safety procedures.
Clean, gauge, and lubricate gun ports.
Drive trucks to transport explosives and blasting equipment to blasting sites.
Connect electrical wire to primers, and cover charges or fill blast holes with clay, drill chips, sand, or other material.
Tie specified lengths of delaying fuses into patterns in order to time sequences of explosions.

Related Technology & Tools

Phase rotation meters
Padded gloves
Short-wave radios
Digital wattmeters
Explosives handling robots
Explosive blasting caps
Rubber mallets
Personal computers
Day boxes
Resistance testers
Extension ladders
Ammonium nitrate fuel oil ANFO loaders
Long period delay detonators
Portable air compressors
Safety goggles
Jackhammers
End cutting pliers
Digital calculators
Equipment dollies
Ring gauges
Explosives time delay fuses
Plumb bobs
Digital voltmeters
Seismic activity recorders
Remote blasting systems
Safety harnesses
Forklifts
Portable cranes
Weighted tape measures
Flashing warning lights
Wire cutting tools
Vernier calipers
Discharge hoses
Blasting machines
Hand shears
Portable signal generators
Wire loop pullers
Protective safety glasses
Remote firing devices
Shock tube detonators
Plastic plugs
Avalaunchers
Precision tweezers
Transport trucks
Surface connector blocks
Coated gloves
Safety fuses
Galvanometers
Conduit bending tools
Blast hole tubing
Surveyors leveling rods
Crescent wrenches
Loading poles
Digital micrometers
Torpedo levels
Phillips head screwdrivers
Stakebed trucks
Electronic shock tube initiators
Tractor-trailer trucks
Mobile radios
Digital ammeters
Warning sirens
Hoisting equipment
Test lamps
Electricians' knives
Fuse testers
Wheeled wire dispensers
Bore hole thermometers
Laser rangefinders
Millivoltmeters
Depth measurement gauges
Protective ear plugs
Dewatering pumps
Protective respirators
Digital ohmmeters
Grappling hooks
Perforating capsule guns
Wire strippers
Pneumatic drilling equipment
Lowering hooks
Temperature data loggers
Insulated pliers
Safety cones
Harpoon retrievers
Longnose pliers
Electrical circuit testers
Stake flags
Clinometers
Hydraulic pressure gauges
Short period delay detonators
Tie-down equipment
Non-contact voltage testers
Spring scales
Folding knives
Hand chisels
Hacksaws
Tongue and groove pliers
Tamping rods
Right angle prisms
Non-electric delay detonators
Perforating casing guns
Blasting cap crimpers
Wire cleaning brushes
Balance scales
Fixed blade knives
Instantaneous electrical detonators
Blasthole drills
Digital multimeters
Wood wedges
Overhead cranes
Detonating cords
Hole savers
Pallet jacks
Fuse cutters
Hard hats
Laptop computers
Meggers
Explosives funnels

Global Positioning System GPS software
DetNet ViewShot
Microsoft Office
ESRI ArcGIS software
Microsoft Excel
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft PowerPoint
Datavis DBS Designer
Microsoft Word
Blaster's Tool and Supply Company Blaster's Calculator