Will “Well Blower” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

48% Chance of Automation

“Well Blower” will probably not be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #292 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

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. Includes seismograph shooters.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 47-5031.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 54,580.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 26.00
Currently, there are 6,310 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Well Blower”

Assemble and position equipment, explosives, and blasting caps in holes at specified depths, or load perforating guns or torpedoes with explosives.
Verify detonation of charges by observing control panels, or by listening for the sounds of blasts.
Signal hoist operators to lower torpedoes or sample-taking guns into wells and to raise equipment for sampling from blast holes after detonation.
Observe odometers, weight indicators, and instrument panels in trucks in order to position guns at predetermined points in wells.
Set up and operate equipment such as hoists, jackhammers, or drills, in order to bore charge holes.
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.
Cut specified lengths of primacord and attach primers to cord ends.
Obtain samples of earth from sidewalls of well boreholes, using electrically exploding devices.
Lay primacord between rows of charged blast holes, and tie cord into main lines to form blast patterns.
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.
Insert waterproof sealers, bullets, and/or powder charges into guns, and screw gun ports back into place.
Repair and service blasting, shooting, and automotive equipment, and electrical wiring and instruments, using hand tools.
Examine blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed.
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.
Move and store inventories of explosives, loaded perforating guns, and other materials, according to established safety procedures.
Lower perforating guns into wells, using hoists; then use measuring devices and instrument panels to position guns in correct positions for taking samples.
Connect electrical wire to primers, and cover charges or fill blast holes with clay, drill chips, sand, or other material.
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.
Connect gun chambers to electric detonating devices, and operate controls at panelboards, in order to detonate charges in guns or to ignite chemical charges.
Measure depths of drilled blast holes, using weighted tape measures.
Clean, gauge, and lubricate gun ports.
Mark patterns, locations, and depths of charge holes for drilling, and issue drilling instructions.
Tie specified lengths of delaying fuses into patterns in order to time sequences of explosions.
Maintain inventory levels, ordering new supplies as necessary.
Set up and operate short-wave radio or field telephone equipment to transmit and receive blast information.
Drive trucks to transport explosives and blasting equipment to blasting sites.
Insert powder charges into chambers of sidewall sample-taking cylinders, and assemble cylinders, using special wrenches.
Repair electrical instruments, using electricians' hand tools.
Compile and keep gun and explosives records in compliance with local and federal laws.

Related Technology & Tools

Explosives funnels
Longnose pliers
Blasting machines
Discharge hoses
Remote firing devices
Portable cranes
Laser rangefinders
Explosive blasting caps
Right angle prisms
Laptop computers
Digital voltmeters
Rubber mallets
Electronic shock tube initiators
Shock tube detonators
Electricians' knives
Perforating capsule guns
Hole savers
Insulated pliers
Personal computers
Explosives handling robots
Pallet jacks
Ring gauges
Safety fuses
Crescent wrenches
Weighted tape measures
Vernier calipers
Stake flags
Wire cutting tools
Wire cleaning brushes
Balance scales
Jackhammers
Overhead cranes
Spring scales
Bore hole thermometers
Short period delay detonators
Folding knives
Tamping rods
Hacksaws
Hand shears
Digital ammeters
Lowering hooks
Tractor-trailer trucks
Surveyors leveling rods
Padded gloves
Precision tweezers
Portable air compressors
Millivoltmeters
Fuse cutters
Safety goggles
Digital calculators
Equipment dollies
Wire strippers
Hydraulic pressure gauges
Digital wattmeters
Detonating cords
Tie-down equipment
Conduit bending tools
Extension ladders
Blasthole drills
Ammonium nitrate fuel oil ANFO loaders
Long period delay detonators
Meggers
Clinometers
Surface connector blocks
Transport trucks
Wire loop pullers
Temperature data loggers
Warning sirens
Tongue and groove pliers
Flashing warning lights
Stakebed trucks
Fuse testers
Remote blasting systems
Wheeled wire dispensers
Test lamps
Grappling hooks
Day boxes
Phillips head screwdrivers
Loading poles
Short-wave radios
Blast hole tubing
Safety cones
End cutting pliers
Plumb bobs
Forklifts
Avalaunchers
Torpedo levels
Phase rotation meters
Galvanometers
Digital multimeters
Protective ear plugs
Harpoon retrievers
Digital micrometers
Wood wedges
Mobile radios
Resistance testers
Hoisting equipment
Blasting cap crimpers
Protective respirators
Portable signal generators
Non-electric delay detonators
Digital ohmmeters
Non-contact voltage testers
Explosives time delay fuses
Depth measurement gauges
Fixed blade knives
Protective safety glasses
Electrical circuit testers
Seismic activity recorders
Hard hats
Safety harnesses
Pneumatic drilling equipment
Dewatering pumps
Plastic plugs
Perforating casing guns
Hand chisels
Coated gloves
Instantaneous electrical detonators

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Microsoft Word
Global Positioning System GPS software
Microsoft Office
DetNet ViewShot
Blaster's Tool and Supply Company Blaster's Calculator
Microsoft Excel