Shotfirers set up and safely detonate explosives at a site in order to blast and break up in situ material.

Tasks

Tasks include -
(a) Ensuring workplace safety and explosives handling, storage and transport procedures and regulations are followed;
(b) Planning and giving instructions for the layout, depth and diameter of blast holes;
(c) Checking depth and cleanliness of blast holes;
(d) Determining quantity and type of explosives to be used;
(e) Loading explosives into blast holes;
(f) Assembling, or directing other workers to assemble, primer charges using detonators and explosive cartridges, and attaching electrical wires, fuses and detonating cords to primers;
(g) Connecting wires, fuses and detonator cords into series, testing electrical circuits and repairing malfunctions, and connecting series to blasting machines;
(h) Covering charges, filling blast holes with rock dust, sand and other materials, and tamping material to compact charges;
(i) Ensuring all explosives are detonated, and reporting and attending to misfires;
(j) Declaring blast areas safe before and after detonation of explosives;
(k) Compiling and maintaining records about usage of explosives in compliance with laws and regulations.