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Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters Career Video

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.

Video Transcript

Bringing down a building with the press of a button, or making a giant boulder disappear in a flash of light and sound, these controlled explosions may be sensational, but they can only go forward under the watchful eye of skilled explosives workers. They carefully plan and execute detonations to demolish structures or displace rock and other materials. Explosives workers examine a blast area to determine the amount and type of explosives to use, and to establish safety parameters. They prepare explosive materials, pack them into blast holes, and, after detonating, write detailed records to comply with local and federal laws regulating the use of explosives. Ordnance handlers move munitions and other explosive materials for storage or transportation, typically via rail car or airplane. Positions for these workers are located in construction companies, airlines and airplane manufacturers, rock and gravel quarries, the oil and gas industry, and the military. Explosives workers generally need a high school diploma or equivalent.