Will AI Replace Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters?

Examine blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Tie specified lengths of delaying fuses into patterns in order to time sequences of explosions.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

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.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

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.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

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.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Mark patterns, locations, and depths of charge holes for drilling, and issue drilling instructions.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Compile and keep gun and explosives records in compliance with local and federal laws.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Measure depths of drilled blast holes, using weighted tape measures.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Connect electrical wire to primers, and cover charges or fill blast holes with clay, drill chips, sand, or other material.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Lay primacord between rows of charged blast holes, and tie cord into main lines to form blast patterns.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Assemble and position equipment, explosives, and blasting caps in holes at specified depths, or load perforating guns or torpedoes with explosives.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Verify detonation of charges by observing control panels, or by listening for the sounds of blasts.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Move and store inventories of explosives, loaded perforating guns, and other materials, according to established safety procedures.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

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.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Drive trucks to transport explosives and blasting equipment to blasting sites.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Cut specified lengths of primacord and attach primers to cord ends.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Maintain inventory levels, ordering new supplies as necessary.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Repair and service blasting, shooting, and automotive equipment, and electrical wiring and instruments, using hand tools.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Set up and operate short-wave radio or field telephone equipment to transmit and receive blast information.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Insert waterproof sealers, bullets, and/or powder charges into guns, and screw gun ports back into place.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Clean, gauge, and lubricate gun ports.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Lower perforating guns into wells, using hoists; then use measuring devices and instrument panels to position guns in correct positions for taking samples.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Create and lay out designs for drill and blast patterns.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Document geological formations encountered during work.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Set up and operate equipment such as hoists, jackhammers, and drills, in order to bore charge holes.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Signal crane operators to move equipment.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.