Explosives Workers

Career summary

Explosives workers generally work in the mining industry. They may also work for construction companies.

Explosives workers talk to the supervisor to find out what is needed. Explosives workers examine the blast area and decide what type of explosives to use and how much to use. They decide where to drill the blast holes and how deep they should be. Explosives workers use a jackhammer or drill to make the blast holes. They cut lengths of primacord and attach primer to the end of the cord. They lay out cord between the rows of blast holes and tie it into the main line to form a blast pattern. They tie specific lengths of delaying fuses into the pattern to time the sequence of explosions.

Before setting off the explosion, explosives workers place safety cones around the area and signal other workers to clear the area. Explosives workers set up radio equipment to communicate blast information.

They assemble the equipment to set off the blast. They load the explosives into the blast holes or an explosives gun. Depending on the structure of the area, they may have to use ropes and hoists to load the explosives. They light a fuse, drop a detonating device, or connect wires to set off the blast. Explosives workers watch the control panel and listen for the sound of the blast. They must be sure the blast is finished before workers can return to the area.

Explosives workers are usually responsible for moving and storing the explosives they use. They also repair the blasting equipment and electrical tools that they use on the job.

Related careers

This career is part of the Architecture and Construction cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Aircraft Mechanics
• Blue-Collar Worker Supervisors
• Communications Equipment Mechanics
• Elevator Installers and Repairers
• Gas and Oil Drillers
• Hazardous Material Workers
• Heating and Cooling System Mechanics
• Industrial Machinery Mechanics
• Structural Metal Workers
• Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders

Military careers

• Construction Equipment Operators
• Special Forces

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to explosives workers.

• Examine blast area to decide amount and type of explosives needed and to insure safety.
• Cut and lay primacord, tie cord into main line, and tie in delaying fuses.
• Place safety cones around blast area and signal other workers to clear the area.
• Decide where to drill blast holes and mark location and depth.
• Load explosives into blast holes with hands, hoist, or rope.
• Assemble equipment and explosives or load explosives gun.
• Move, store, and maintain supply of explosives.
• Operate equipment, such as jackhammer or drill, to create blast holes.
• Set up radio equipment to receive blast information. Observe control panel.
• Activate device to set off blast.
• Talk with supervisor at site to determine what is needed.
• Repair blasting equipment and electrical tools.
• Drive trucks to transport explosives and to work sites.

Common work activities

Explosives workers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Make decisions and solve problems
• Get information needed to do the job
• Evaluate information against standards
• Document and record information
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Handle and move objects
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Teach others
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Control machines and processes
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Process information
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Schedule work and activities
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Develop and build teams
• Perform administrative tasks
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Think creatively
• Coach others
• Monitor and control resources
• Analyze data or information
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
• Develop goals and strategies
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, explosives workers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Are substantially responsible for the safety of others on the work site.
• Communicate on a daily basis by telephone and in person.
• Often work as part of a team.
• Have a medium to high level of social contact.
• Are greatly responsible for the work performed by others.

Physical work conditions

• Are constantly exposed to hazardous conditions.
• Nearly always work outdoors. They often work in open equipment.
• Always wear protective attire, such as hard hats and ear plugs.
• Are often exposed to sounds and noise levels that are uncomfortable.
• Are sometimes exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures when working outdoors.
• Are regularly exposed to contaminants.
• Are sometimes exposed to hazardous equipment and situations.
• Are sometimes exposed to whole body vibration when blasting or drilling.
• Are sometimes exposed to high work places that require ladders to reach them.
• May be exposed to low lighting conditions when working in underground mines.
• May sometimes travel around and to work sites in a truck or van.
• May work physically close to others, such as within a few feet.

Work performance

• Must be very exact and be sure all details are done. Errors could seriously injure themselves and other workers.
• Often make decisions that strongly impact others. They often seek advice from others before acting.
• Repeat the same physical activities.
• Must allow work pace to be determined by the speed of equipment and explosive devices.
• Usually consult a supervisor before setting daily tasks and goals.
• Work in a stressful atmosphere where daily deadlines must be met.

Hours/travel

• May travel to work sites outside their local area.
• Usually work full time. Schedules may vary.

Physical demands

Explosives workers frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Bend or twist their body.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.

It is important for explosives workers to be able to:

• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for explosives workers to be able to:

• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• See objects in very low light.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.

Skills and abilities

Explosives workers need to:

Communicate

• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand written information.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.
• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Teach others how to do something.

Work with things

• Operate and control equipment.
• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.

Perceive and visualize

• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Mining Technology

Other programs of study to consider

• Construction Trades

Training

To work as an explosives worker, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have one to five years of related work experience; and
• complete long-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Some people train to be explosives workers by taking mine technology courses. Some two- and four-year schools offer these programs. Most of the schools that offer this type of program are in areas of the country where there is mining. These programs typically take one year to complete.

Work experience

Explosives workers often start in other mining occupations and gain experience on the job. You typically need one to five years of experience.

On-the-job training

Most explosives workers receive training on the job from an experienced worker. During training, you learn to:

• place and detonate explosives; and
• handle and store explosives.

Training typically lasts at least one year.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be ordnance specialists. Training lasts 15 to 25 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

The military also trains a select group of people to be in the special forces. Training for this group lasts about two years.

Workers in both of these occupations use explosives.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements . You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate. Chemistry and Physics courses would be excellent preparation for this occupation.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Blueprint Reading
• Safety and First Aid

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers prefer to hire experienced explosives workers. Explosives workers often start in other mining occupations and gain experience on the job. Employers sometimes prefer to hire graduates of high school or technical school programs in mining technology.

Licensing/certification

You may need both a federal and state license. The following need a license:

• Individuals who purchase, sell, manufacture, import, use, handle or store explosives must have a federal license.
• Individuals who use, purchase, manufacture, store, or sell explosives must have a license from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.

For more information, contact Labor and Industries  or 360.902.5563.

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Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by area of the country and the type of industry.

Workers employed by mining companies are likely to receive benefits. These include paid holidays and vacation, health insurance, and a retirement plan. 

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Federal government agencies
• Heavy construction companies
• Mining companies (coal, minerals, metal)

National outlook

Growth in this occupation will be average. Job growth in mining is declining but growth may occur in the construction industry as roads and highways are built or repaired. This is a very small occupation so very few jobs will be created.

Job openings will occur as current workers retire or transfer to other occupations.

Other resources

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives 
Office of Public and Government Affairs
99 New York Avenue NE, Mail Sop 5S144
Washington, DC 20226
800.800.3855
202.648.7777

Institute of Makers of Explosives 
1120 - 19th Street NW, Suite 310
Washington, DC 20036
202.429.9280

International Society of Explosives Engineers 
30325 Bainbridge Road
Cleveland, OH 44139
440.349.4400

References

Career cluster

• Architecture and Construction

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters (47-5031.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Blaster (859.261-010) 
• Blaster (931.261-010) 
• Miner (850.381-010) 
• Perforator Operator, Oil Well (931.382-010) 
• Powder Loader (931.667-010) 
• Sample-taker Operator (931.361-010) 
• Shooter (931.361-014) 
• Shooter, Seismograph (931.361-018) 
• Tier-and-detonator (931.664-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Investigative/Conventional

COPSystem

• Technology Skilled