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

85% Chance of Automation

“Overburden 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.

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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…

Tasks for “Overburden Drill Operator”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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