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Shotfirer

Shotfirers assemble, position and detonate explosives to break or dislodge rock and soil or to demolish structures.

Shotfirers may be required to work in remote areas and in conditions which may be dusty, hot and noisy.

They may be required to work shifts.

TASKS

Shotfirers may perform the following tasks:

check blasting areas to make sure that safety regulations are met
establish safe exclusion to control movement of personnel, livestock and vehicles around and on the blast area
apply basic geology to assist in blast design, and interpret and apply blast design principals
cut channels under working faces
check bore-hole depths and ensure that they are clean
calculate quantity of explosives required to achieve desired result
insert detonators and charges into holes
connect and test or inspect the blasting circuit
fire charges
inspect the area to make sure all explosives have been detonated
manage explosives magazine stock control
check site safety after blasting (falling rock hazards, underground mine roof supports and harmful fumes, for example), and declare the area safe

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

enjoy practical and manual activities
willing to adhere to safety requirements
able to lead and supervise a team
able to accept responsibility
able to cope with the physical demands of the job
able to pass a medical examination
able to work in confined spaces, including underground
basic skills in mathematics and science

Interest Area

SPECIALISATIONS

Agricultural Blaster - uses small-scale blasting to clear rural areas of objects, such as stumps and boulders, and to create holes for things such as small dams and trenches.

Construction Shotfirer - uses blasting to create trenches in which to place foundations for civil constructions such as buildings and bridges. Implosion and explosion techniques used to demolish buildings are a specialised area and require many years of experience.

Fireworks Specialist - uses small explosions to create special effects, generally for public viewing.

Oil and Gas Well Blasting (Offshore and Onshore) - uses explosives to access oil and gas reserves.

Quarry and Open-cut Mining Shotfirer - uses larger amounts of explosives to clear masses of earth in open areas. Numerous smaller blasts are often detonated together to create a larger force.

Seismic Blaster - detonates explosives to create seismic waves which provide information about underground mineral and petroleum deposits.

Submarine (Underwater) Blaster - uses explosives to clear areas underwater as well as create holes for the foundation of civil constructions, such as bridges.

Tunnelling and Underground Mining Shotfirer - uses small amounts of explosives to blast through rock underground. Generally, small blasts are detonated in a sequence to minimise the force and decrease the possibility of unwanted damage.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

To become a shotfirer you usually have to obtain a licence for the appropriate class of work, issued by SafeWork NSW or WorkSafe ACT. Training, work experience and supervision requirements may vary depending on the type of work you wish to carry out (for example, construction, mining or fireworks). For more information, contact SafeWork NSW or WorkSafe ACT.

Additional Information

To be eligible to obtain a licence to work with explosives, you must be at least 18 years of age and pass a National Police Check.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Shotfirers are mainly employed by drilling and blasting contractors.

Although mining companies, quarries, civil engineering and road construction firms require shotfirers, this role is often contracted out to specialist companies.

Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have industry experience on a mine site.