Skills & competences

Description

Shotfirers and blasters position, assemble and detonate explosives at mining, quarrying and demolition sites.
Tasks include -
(a) ensuring that workplace safety and explosives handling, storage and transport procedures and regulations are followed;
(b) planning and giving instructions for the layout, depth and diameter of blast holes;
(c) checking depth and cleanliness of blast holes;
(d) determining quantity and type of explosives to be used;
(e) loading explosives into blast holes;
(f) assembling, or directing other workers to assemble, primer charges using detonators and explosive cartridges, and attaching electrical wires, fuses and detonating cords to primers;
(g) connecting wires, fuses and detonator cords into series, testing electrical circuits and repairing malfunctions, and connecting series to blasting machines;
(h) covering charges, filling blast holes with rock dust, sand and other materials, and tamping material to compact charges;
(i) ensuring that all explosives are detonated, and reporting and attending to misfires;
(j) declaring blast areas safe before and after detonation of explosives;
(k) compiling and maintaining records about usage of explosives in compliance with laws and regulations.
Examples of the occupations classified here:
- Blaster
- Powderman
- Powder monkey
- Shotfirer
Some related occupations classified elsewhere:
- Mining supervisor - 3121
- Driller (mining) - 8111
- Driller (oil or gas well) - 8113
- Mining labourer - 9311
- Quarry labourer - 9311