Blaster

Austin Powder•Wabash, IN

About The Position

A Blaster conducts field tests to determine the type and quantity of explosives needed for a job. The role involves reading and interpreting drill patterns, instructions, and diagrams; communicating with job-site personnel; arranging and detonating shots; and maintaining required documentation. The Blaster ensures the team follows customer policies and procedures and coordinates customer issues, blast-area incidents, and public concerns with appropriate personnel. Safety is a primary priority, and the Blaster must have strong knowledge of explosives to perform work safely and mitigate risks. The position requires travel to customer locations within the company’s geographic area. Work is performed outdoors in varying weather, climate, and terrain, with exposure to dust, noise, oils, and other mining elements. Physical duties include walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, using hand and finger dexterity to operate controls and tools, and loading or unloading 40–60-pound product bags or boxes from company trucks, potentially through repeated carrying.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Must be at least 21 years old as required by ATF.
Current blaster’s license as required by the state.
Experience with all initiation systems, laser profiling, and seismographs.
Must meet state and federal explosive-law requirements and qualify as an ATF explosive possessor.
Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
Ability to hear audibly and respond to the work environment of an active mining site.
Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
Ability to walk, stand, stoop, and kneel; hand and finger dexterity to operate controls and tools.
Ability to load and unload 40–60-pound product bags or boxes, including repeated carrying.

Responsibilities

Review drill patterns and diagrams, and determine the product and shot layout needed to meet customer needs, under direction or in the position of Blaster in Charge.
Communicate blast details with all personnel on the job site.
Perform duties necessary to prepare and detonate a shot safely and successfully.
Conduct pre- and post-shot safety audits and complete documentation for all shot service events according to company policy.
Ensure the shot crew complies with customer policies and procedures.
Coordinate customer issues, blast-area incidents, and public concerns related to the event with appropriate personnel.
Communicate regularly with the sales representative and/or Location Manager regarding customer accounts.
Maintain a safe and healthy work environment by assuring compliance at the location, customer sites, and during transit as required by regulation and company policy.
Comply with inventory management procedures.
Complete and maintain required paperwork or software records under company policies and procedures and applicable Department of Transportation or other federal or state agency requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned.