Will “Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

48% Chance of Automation

“Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters” 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

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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