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47-5032.00 · Task explorer

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

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.

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This source lists 27 tasks, including 18 marked Core and 4 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: 06/2006, 11/2020.

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27 tasks shown

Core · Task 9904 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

Examine blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed.

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Core · Task 9905 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

Tie specified lengths of delaying fuses into patterns in order to time sequences of explosions.

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Core · Task 9906 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

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.

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Core · Task 9907 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

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.

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Core · Task 9908 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

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.

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Core · Task 9909 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

Mark patterns, locations, and depths of charge holes for drilling, and issue drilling instructions.

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Core · Task 9910 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

Compile and keep gun and explosives records in compliance with local and federal laws.

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Core · Task 9911 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

Measure depths of drilled blast holes, using weighted tape measures.

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Core · Task 9912 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

Connect electrical wire to primers, and cover charges or fill blast holes with clay, drill chips, sand, or other material.

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Core · Task 9913 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

Lay primacord between rows of charged blast holes, and tie cord into main lines to form blast patterns.

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Core · Task 9914 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

Assemble and position equipment, explosives, and blasting caps in holes at specified depths, or load perforating guns or torpedoes with explosives.

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Core · Task 9915 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

Verify detonation of charges by observing control panels, or by listening for the sounds of blasts.

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Core · Task 9916 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

Move and store inventories of explosives, loaded perforating guns, and other materials, according to established safety procedures.

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Core · Task 9917 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

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.

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Core · Task 9918 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

Drive trucks to transport explosives and blasting equipment to blasting sites.

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Core · Task 9919 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

Cut specified lengths of primacord and attach primers to cord ends.

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Core · Task 9920 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

Maintain inventory levels, ordering new supplies as necessary.

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Core · Task 9922 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

Repair and service blasting, shooting, and automotive equipment, and electrical wiring and instruments, using hand tools.

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Supplemental · Task 9923 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

Set up and operate short-wave radio or field telephone equipment to transmit and receive blast information.

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Supplemental · Task 9924 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

Insert waterproof sealers, bullets, and/or powder charges into guns, and screw gun ports back into place.

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Supplemental · Task 9925 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

Clean, gauge, and lubricate gun ports.

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Supplemental · Task 9927 · 06/2006 · Occupational Expert

Lower perforating guns into wells, using hoists; then use measuring devices and instrument panels to position guns in correct positions for taking samples.

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Unspecified · Task 23490 · 11/2020 · Analyst

Create and lay out designs for drill and blast patterns.

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Unspecified · Task 23491 · 11/2020 · Analyst

Document geological formations encountered during work.

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Unspecified · Task 23492 · 11/2020 · Analyst

Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.

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Unspecified · Task 23493 · 11/2020 · Analyst

Set up and operate equipment such as hoists, jackhammers, and drills, in order to bore charge holes.

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Unspecified · Task 23494 · 11/2020 · Analyst

Signal crane operators to move 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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