47-5023.00 · Task explorer
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas: reported tasks and exploration worksheet
Operate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap subsurface 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. Includes horizontal and earth boring machine operators.
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Read the task inventory
This source lists 29 tasks, including 14 marked Core and 14 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.
Task source dates: 07/2017, 11/2020.
29 tasks shown
Core · Task 13673 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
Core · Task 13671 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
Core · Task 13668 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
Core · Task 13674 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
Core · Task 13677 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
Core · Task 13676 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
Core · Task 13669 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
Core · Task 13678 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.
Core · Task 13672 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
Core · Task 13686 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Document geological formations encountered during work.
Core · Task 13679 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites.
Core · Task 13682 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.
Core · Task 13680 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Record drilling progress and geological data.
Core · Task 13681 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Retrieve lost equipment from bore holes, using retrieval tools and equipment.
Supplemental · Task 13696 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Fabricate well casings.
Supplemental · Task 13683 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Pour water into wells, or pump water or slush into wells to cool drill bits and to remove drillings.
Supplemental · Task 21016 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Create and lay out designs for drill and blast patterns.
Supplemental · Task 13689 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Place and install screens, casings, pumps, and other well fixtures to develop wells.
Supplemental · Task 13684 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Operate water-well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore, and dig for water wells or for environmental assessment purposes.
Supplemental · Task 13692 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Review client requirements and proposed locations for drilling operations to determine feasibility, and to determine cost estimates.
Supplemental · Task 13675 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations.
Supplemental · Task 13685 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Perform pumping tests to assess well performance.
Supplemental · Task 13691 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Disinfect, reconstruct, and redevelop contaminated wells and water pumping systems, and clean and disinfect new wells in preparation for use.
Supplemental · Task 13690 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Design well pumping systems.
Supplemental · Task 13694 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Signal crane operators to move equipment.
Supplemental · Task 13687 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Withdraw drill rods from holes, and extract core samples.
Supplemental · Task 13695 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Inspect core samples to determine nature of strata, or take samples to laboratories for analysis.
Supplemental · Task 13688 · 07/2017 · Incumbent
Retract augers to force discharge dirt from holes.
Unspecified · Task 23489 · 11/2020 · Analyst
Monitor drilling operations, by checking gauges and listening to equipment to assess drilling conditions and to determine the need to adjust drilling or alter equipment.
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Source and practice material
Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.
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