Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters place and detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials. They may perform specialized handling, storage, and accounting procedures.
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- Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
Architecture and Construction
What do they typically do
- Insert, pack, and pour explosives 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
- Measure depths of drilled blast holes, using weighted tape measures
- Place explosive charges in holes or other spots; detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials
- Compile and keep gun and explosives records in compliance with local and federal laws
- 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
- Mark patterns, locations, and depths of charge holes for drilling, and issue drilling instructions
- Tie specified lengths of delaying fuses into patterns in order to time sequences of explosions
Number of Jobs
Average Annual
Job Growth +0.4%
Job Openings 3
Education & Training
- Education These occupations usually require a high school diploma.Associated Programs or MajorsLicense
Private Training Programs
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