Blaster/blasting worker

Shotfirers and blasters place, assemble and detonate explosives in mines and quarries and for clearing construction sites.

• ensuring workplace safety and safety in the handling, storage and transport of explosives according to procedures and regulations;
• planning and giving instructions on the layout, depth and diameter of blast holes;
• checking the depth and cleanliness of holes for placing explosives;
• determining the quantity and type of explosives to be used;
• placing explosives in the appropriate holes;
• assembling, or directing other workers to assemble, primer charges using detonators, explosive cartridges, connecting electrical wires, fuses, detonating cords and firing devices;
• connecting wires, fuses and detonating cords in series, testing electrical circuits and correcting faults, and connecting the series to blasting machines;
• covering explosives and filling blast holes with stone dust, sand and other materials, tamping materials into compact charges;
• ensuring that all explosives are detonated, and reporting and taking action on unexploded charges;
• declaring blasting areas safe before and after explosions;
• preparing and maintaining logs of explosives use in accordance with laws and regulations.
• Examples of occupations in this unit group:
• Supervisor, explosives store
• Shotfirer (blasting worker)
• Pyrotechnician
• Worker, blast hole drilling