Will “Blaster” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔
85% Chance of Automation
“Blaster” 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
- 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
- Blaster
- Auger Operator
Tasks for “Blaster”
- Retrieve lost equipment from bore holes, using retrieval tools and equipment.
- Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations.
- Perform pumping tests to assess well performance.
- Operate water-well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore, and dig for water wells or for environmental assessment purposes.
- Monitor drilling operations, checking gauges and listening to equipment to assess drilling conditions and to determine the need to adjust drilling or alter equipment.
- Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
- Retract augers to force discharge dirt from holes.
- Inspect core samples to determine nature of strata, or take samples to laboratories for analysis.
- Observe electronic graph recorders and flow meters that monitor the water used to flush debris from holes.
- Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
- Record drilling progress and geological data.
- Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
- Signal crane operators to move equipment.
- Fabricate well casings.
- Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
- Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
- Withdraw drill rods from holes, and extract core samples.
- Design well pumping systems.
- Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites.
- Operate hoists to lift power line poles into position.
- Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.
- Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
- Pour water into wells, or pump water or slush into wells to cool drill bits and to remove drillings.
- Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.
- Place and install screens, casings, pumps, and other well fixtures to develop wells.
- Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
- Document geological formations encountered during work.
- 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.
- Disinfect, reconstruct, and redevelop contaminated wells and water pumping systems, and clean and disinfect new wells in preparation for use.
Related Technology & Tools
- Submerged arc welding tools
- Digital video cameras
- Desanders
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Marsh funnels
- Mud rotary drills
- Work trucks
- Water monitoring samplers
- Trenchers
- Mud pumping equipment
- Precision levels
- Truck-mounted water pumps
- Bobcats
- Mud mixers
- Lube guns
- Grout pumps
- Tablet computers
- Rotary drilling tools
- Water test kits
- Pipe retrieval fishing tools
- Alternating current AC generators
- Field forklifts
- Water sampling bailers
- Backhoe-equipped tractors
- Core drill rigs
- Drill pipe tongs
- Portable air compressors
- Personal computers
- Cable tool drills
- Water level meters
- Handheld remote thermometers
- Power augers
- Air rotary drills
- Downhole well testing equipment
- Earth drilling machines
- Chain slings
- Drilling collars
- Shale shakers
- Mud balances
- Downhole hammers
- Truck mounted cranes
- Water logging tools
- Adjustable combination wrenches
- Laptop computers
- Mud guns
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Excel
- Data entry software
- Global positioning system GPS software