Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

• AI can speed this up on its own: 4 (13%)
• AI can speed this up with extra software: 1 (3%)
• Little or no AI speed-up: 25 (83%)

• Compile and keep gun and explosives records in compliance with local and federal laws.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
• Maintain inventory levels, ordering new supplies as necessary.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
• Set up and operate short-wave radio or field telephone equipment to transmit and receive blast information.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
• Document geological formations encountered during work.AI can speed this up on its own
• Create and lay out designs for drill and blast patterns.AI can speed this up with extra software
• Examine blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Tie specified lengths of delaying fuses into patterns in order to time sequences of explosions.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• 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.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• 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.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• 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.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Mark patterns, locations, and depths of charge holes for drilling, and issue drilling instructions.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Measure depths of drilled blast holes, using weighted tape measures.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Connect electrical wire to primers, and cover charges or fill blast holes with clay, drill chips, sand, or other material.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Lay primacord between rows of charged blast holes, and tie cord into main lines to form blast patterns.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Assemble and position equipment, explosives, and blasting caps in holes at specified depths, or load perforating guns or torpedoes with explosives.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Verify detonation of charges by observing control panels, or by listening for the sounds of blasts.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Move and store inventories of explosives, loaded perforating guns, and other materials, according to established safety procedures.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• 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.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Drive trucks to transport explosives and blasting equipment to blasting sites.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Cut specified lengths of primacord and attach primers to cord ends.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Repair and service blasting, shooting, and automotive equipment, and electrical wiring and instruments, using hand tools.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Insert waterproof sealers, bullets, and/or powder charges into guns, and screw gun ports back into place.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Clean, gauge, and lubricate gun ports.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Connect gun chambers to electric detonating devices, and operate controls at panelboards, in order to detonate charges in guns or to ignite chemical charges.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Lower perforating guns into wells, using hoists; then use measuring devices and instrument panels to position guns in correct positions for taking samples.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Insert powder charges into chambers of sidewall sample-taking cylinders, and assemble cylinders, using special wrenches.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Obtain samples of earth from sidewalls of well boreholes, using electrically exploding devices.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.Little or no AI speed-up
• Set up and operate equipment such as hoists, jackhammers, and drills, in order to bore charge holes.Little or no AI speed-up
• Signal crane operators to move equipment.Little or no AI speed-up