Roof Bolters

Career summary

Roof bolters work in the mining industry in underground mines. They secure the roof of the mine with bolts to prevent mine cave-ins. They install safety jacks to support the roof. They drill holes where the bolts will be installed. Roof bolters use a self-propelled bolting machine to drill the holes and set the bolts. They position the holes following safety rules.

The next step is installing the bolt. Roof bolters tighten the end of the bolt, using a tool called a turnbuckle. They also test each bolt for the required amount of tension, using a torque wrench. Roof bolters install these truss bolts across the roof span of underground mines.

Related careers

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

Related careers include:

• Farm and Ranch Workers
• Forklift Operators
• Loggers
• Material Moving Machine Operators
• Mining Machine Operators
• Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators
• Paving Equipment Operators
• Pipelayers
• Roustabouts

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to roof bolters.

• Insert drill bit into chuck of bolting machine. Drill hole into roof according to safety rules.
• Remove drill bit and insert bolt. Force bolt into hole using self-propelled bolting machine.
• Test bolt for required tension using a torque wrench.
• Position safety jacks to support underground mine roof until bolts can be installed.
• Tighten end of truss bolt using a turnbuckle.
• Rotate chuck to turn bolt and open expansion head against rock formation.
• Install truss bolts across entire ceiling span.

Common work activities

Roof bolters perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Control machines and processes
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
• Handle and move objects
• Get information needed to do the job
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Teach others
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Repair and maintain electronic equipment
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Evaluate information against standards
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Process information
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Assist and care for others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, roof bolters:

Interpersonal relationships

• Are responsible for the health and safety of their coworkers.
• Have a high level of social contact. They communicate with supervisors or coworkers most of the time.
• Are responsible for work outcomes.
• Communicate with coworkers and supervisors daily in person.
• Work in a group or as part of a team.
• Sometimes must handle conflict situations in which others may be unpleasant, angry, or discourteous.

Physical work conditions

• Always wear safety clothing or protective gear.
• Are always exposed to noise levels that are uncomfortable. The machines they operate can be loud.
• Are exposed to contaminants on a daily basis.
• Are exposed to hazardous equipment on a daily basis.
• Are always exposed to cramped work places that require working in awkward positions, such as on their knees or back.
• Are sometimes exposed to whole body vibration, such as when operating machinery.
• Are always exposed to hazardous conditions, such as breathing coal dust.
• Are exposed to hazardous situations daily. These situations may produce cuts or minor burns.
• Always are exposed to inadequate lighting.
• Are often exposed to very hot conditions in underground mines.
• Sometimes wear specialized safety clothing or protective gear.
• Often work indoors in an environment that is not environmentally controlled. May on occasion work outdoors.
• Work mostly in an open vehicle or equipment, such as underground mining machinery.
• Work near coworkers, but usually have a few feet of space separating them from others.

Work performance

• Must keep pace with the speed of equipment or machinery.
• Must be sure their work is exact. Errors could endanger the safety of miners.
• Must meet strict deadlines on a daily basis.
• Repeat the same physical activities.
• Make decisions on a daily basis that strongly impact coworkers. They rarely consult with supervisors before making decisions.
• Are able to set some tasks for the day without consulting with a supervisor.
• Are moderately competitive with coworkers.

Hours/travel

• Generally have a set schedule each week.
• Usually work full time. The average worker in the mining industry works 45 hours a week.

Physical demands

Roof bolters frequently:

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

It is important for roof bolters to be able to:

• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Determine the distance between 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.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for roof bolters to be able to:

• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.
• See objects in very low light.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects.

Skills and abilities

Roof bolters need to:

Communicate

• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

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.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Work with things

• Operate and control equipment.
• Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.
• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Maintain equipment on a routine basis. Determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Repair machines or systems.
• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.

Perceive and visualize

• 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 to consider

• Construction Trades
• Heavy Equipment Operations
• Mining Technology

Training

To work as a roof bolter, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required beyond high school.

On-the-job training

Most roof bolters learn their skills on the job from an experienced worker. During training, you start by working as a helper. Training includes:

• tool and equipment use;
• mine safety; and
• first aid.

Training may last up to a year.

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.

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

• Construction
• Geology
• Physical Education
• 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 applicants who have training in mining. Applicants can be graduates of junior college or technical school programs in mine technology. Many employers will also accept those who have completed high school programs in mining.

Some employers will hire roof bolters who do not have any experience. Other employers prefer to hire roof bolters who have up to a year of training.

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.

• Roof Bolters, Mining 

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

Wages

#Currently, there is no specific statewide wage information available for mining roof bolters.

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. About three out of ten mine workers are covered by union contracts. These workers often receive higher wages than non-union workers.

Benefits also vary by employer. Most mine workers receive typical benefits, such as paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Union workers usually also receive 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

Almost all roof bolters work at coal mines. Over half of US coal is produced in three states: Kentucky, Wyoming, and West Virginia.

Major employers:

• Coal mines

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is expected to decline. This is the result of technological changes in the mining industry. Automation improves productivity but requires fewer workers.

Despite the decline, some openings will occur as workers leave this occupation. Most new openings will be in coal mining.

Other resources

United Mine Workers of America 

References

Career cluster

• Architecture and Construction

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Roof Bolters, Mining (47-5061.00) 

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 occupation

• Roof Bolter (930.683-026) 

Holland occupational clusters

• Realistic/Conventional/Enterprising
• Realistic/Conventional/Investigative

COPSystem

• Technology Skilled