Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
SOC Code: 47-5032
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasterss examine blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed. This career typically requires moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year). With an AI-proof score of 83.8/100, this role has high resilience to automation. Key skills include Active Listening, Monitoring, Judgment and Decision Making.
AI-Proof Score: 83.8 — Very High
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Median Salary
$59,110
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Job Growth
-0.9%
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Training Time
Moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year)
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Job Zone
Zone 2 / 5
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Training Cost
~$5,000
Key Skills
- •Active Listening
- •Monitoring
- •Judgment and Decision Making
- •Critical Thinking
- •Reading Comprehension
- •Coordination
- •Operations Monitoring
- •Operation and Control
Common Tasks
- ✓Examine blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed.
- ✓Tie specified lengths of delaying fuses into patterns in order to time sequences of explosions.
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
Training & Resources
Why AI-Proof?
- ✅Requires hands-on physical presence and dexterity
- ✅Demands human empathy, judgment, and trust
- ✅Operates in unpredictable, variable environments
- ✅Social and regulatory barriers to full automation