Drillers and Blasters in Surface Mining, Quarrying, and Construction

Nature of work

Drillers operate mobile drilling machines to bore blast holes in open-pit mines and quarries and to bore holes for blasting and for building foundations at construction sites. Blasters fill blast holes with explosives and detonate explosives to dislodge coal, ore, and rock or to demolish structures. They work for mining, quarrying and construction companies and drilling and blasting contractors.

Job duties

Drillers:

• Drive and use tracked or truck-mounted rotary drilling, air-track, or other drilling machines to bore large blast holes to specified depths at staked positions in open-pit mine or quarry.
• Use drilling machines to drill blast holes in rock at road or other construction sites.
• Run tracked or truck-mounted drill equipped with auger or other attachment to drill holes for building foundations or pilings.
• May measure location and stake out pattern of holes to be drilled, load blast holes with explosives and detonate explosives to dislodge coal, ore or rock.

Blasters:

• Read instructions or diagrams, lay out drill pattern and determine depth and diameter of blast holes and conduct field tests to determine type and quantity of explosives required.
• Assemble primer charges using selected detonators, fuses, detonating cords, and other materials.
• Load explosives in blast holes by hand or direct movement of bulk explosives trucks to load holes.
• Connect electrical wires, detonating cords or fuses into series and connect series to blasting machines; press handle or button to detonate charges.
• Handle, store and transport explosives and accessories in accordance with regulations and ensure that safety procedures are observed.
• May use air-track, rotary, down-the-hole, or other drilling machines to drill blast holes or may direct drilling of blast holes.

Sample job titles

• blaster apprentice
• blaster journeyperson
• construction blaster
• construction driller
• driller - quarrying
• driller - surface mining
• drilling machine operator - construction

Skills

• Good hearing, eyesight, and colour vision
• Coordination and manual dexterity
• Strength and stamina
• Ability to follow safety procedures accurately and precisely
• A safety-conscious attitude
• A mechanical aptitude
• An interest in math and science
• Communication skills, including writing skills required for accurate record-keeping
• Ability to work with others or independently
• Ability to work under the supervision of others, and/or direct the work of others

Job requirements

• High school or equivalent (usually).
• On-the-job training is provided.
• Experience as a heavy equipment operator may be required for drillers.
• Experience as a blaster helper or blaster assistant may be required for blasters.
• Blaster Trade Qualifier option, 5,400 hours 1st Class, 3,375 hours 2nd Class, or 1,350 hours 3rd Class and other criteria.
• Provincial blasting license is required for blasters.
• Obtain a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Class Blaster Certificate of Qualification.
• Obtain a blasting license from the Occupational Health and Safety Division, Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration.

Other considerations

• There are three levels of certification in the blaster trade with 1st class being the highest level of achievement.
• A Blaster Assistant does not hold certification and must conduct blasting activities under close supervision of a certified blaster.
• Blasters work mainly outdoors, sometimes in remote or hazardous locations. Working conditions are often noisy and dirty.
• The workweek can vary from 40 to 60 hours. Overtime or weekend work can be required to meet deadlines. Blasting work is often seasonal.
• Occupational risks include explosions, flying particles, falling objects, noise, and hazardous chemicals.
• Drillers and blasters often perform both drilling and blasting activities.
• Blaster is not an entry-level position. Experienced blasters may advance to supervisory positions but, without additional education or training, further advancement is limited.

Regulations

There are no additional resources for this occupation.