Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
Performing, supervising, and providing training in military EOD operations provides directly relevant experience for civilian explosives and ordnance work.
How to prepare: Have a prospective employer assess your existing qualifications and documented EOD experience against the intended work and applicable state and local requirements; OSHA construction blasting rules require evidence of competency for the specific blasting methods used and knowledge of applicable explosives laws. Separately, ATF rules distinguish business licenses and acquisition permits from employee authorization to possess explosives, with license or permit holders required to report newly authorized employees for background checks as appropriate.
What the civilian work involves
- Examine blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed.
- 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.