Blasting Techniques
(pending approval)

 

Program Highlights

Fascinated by the explosives industry? Do you like to work outdoors, and in challenging environments? If so, you may be interested in exploring a career as a blaster in a rapidly growing industry. This two-semester Ontario College Certificate is the only program of its kind in Canada. With our well-developed connections with industry and our specialized resources and drilling compound, students get handson training for their career in blasting. Blasters fill blast holes with explosives and detonate them to dislodge coal, ore, rock, or aggregate, or to demolish structures. Blasters are employed by mining, quarrying, and construction, and drilling and blasting companies, as well as in the special effects industry. You will focus on three types of explosive cuts, and incorporate a wide range of skills in science, mathematics, and communications. Your courses include explosives, blasthole drilling, blasting theory, blast design, geology, safety and accident prevention, and environmental issues. In this highly practical, hands-on program, you will spend much of your time in labs or field classes and field assignments, or putting your education to work and refining skills in our state-of-the-art drilling and blasting training centre.

 

Why Choose Fleming?

Fleming's Blasting Techniques certificate has several advantages upon completion:

• You will be eligible to write the exemption exam for the Level One requirements of the in-school curriculum for the Surface Blaster Apprenticeship (278-B).
• With Fleming recently awarded as a training delivery agent for this apprenticeship, program graduates can continue directly into the work portion of the apprenticeship if hired by industry.
• You will also have common core certification as a Surface Miner as required by the Ministry of Labour to enter most blasting sites.
• Upon graduation, you will have the option of certifying with the International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE) in Quarrying, Basic Construction Blasting, and the Fundamentals of Blasting (Level One).
• Another option upon graduation is to expand your career and job opportunities by continuing at Fleming College in the Resources Drilling and Blasting Technician diploma program, with direct entry into the program¿s second semester.

 

What it Takes to Succeed

• An enjoyment of working outdoors/ hands-on work
• Good motor skills
• Physical health
• Flexibility (particularly regarding hours of work)
• Communication/interpersonal skills
• Mechanical aptitude
• Ability to plan and organize activities
• Problem solving skills
• Ability to work independently
• Computer skills

 

Career Opportunities

Job opportunities are very good across many sectors and several provinces, including Ontario. With many blasters nearing retirement, there is an urgent need to replace these skilled individuals. Job titles include construction blaster, openpit blaster, and surface mining blaster. Blasters work closely with drillers and often perform both drilling and blasting activities. The annual salary range for a blaster/driller is $35,000 - $62,000, depending upon experience and certification. Fully qualified surface blasters make up to $40.00 per hour. Blasting assistants earn $18 - $25 per hour at the entry level. There are good opportunities for career advancement in this field with training and experience. Specialized areas of blasting such as underground blasting have higher pay scales.

 

Minimum Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of credits at the Workplace (E) level, including English. When Workplace (E) is the minimum course level for admission, (C) and (U/C) level courses are also accepted. Note: Students are subject to a criminal records check as required by field placement site management. Please contact the program coordinator if there are concerns about this records check.

 

Selection Process

Course	Hours
Semester 1
Blasting Applications Field Camp I	30.00
Blasting Fundamentals	45.00
Common Core: Surface Miner	30.00
Communications for Blasting Techniques I	30.00
Environmental Leadership	45.00
Mathematics and Trade Calculations for Blasting	60.00
Product Knowledge for Blasting	15.00
Safety and Legislation for Blasting	45.00
Semester 2
Blasthole Drilling	30.00
Blasting Applications Field Camp II	30.00
Communications for Blasting Techniques II	30.00
Construction Blasting and Quarrying	45.00
Environmental Issues in Blasting	45.00
Fundamentals of Blasting II: Blast Design and Layout	45.00
Geology for Blasting	45.00
Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods	30.00
General Education Elective

Semester 1

Blasting Applications Field Camp I

Course Number: APST080

This field camp gives students the opportunity for practical hands-on experience with blasting in a highly supervised environment. Students will work on basic blasting applications and problems utilizing their skills and knowledge during Semester 1 of the program. Students will assist in designing a blast, executing a blast and recording the blast results.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Blasting Fundamentals

Course Number: GEOL049

This course introduces students to the basics of blasting including the characteristics and types of explosives and blasting agents, principles of blasting and the use and maintenance of blasting equipment. This course also covers the curriculum from the International Society of Explosives Engineers Level 1 certifications. Students will have the opportunity during the field camp portion of this course to practice the correct methods of using blast equipment, and to plan and load blast holes.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Common Core: Surface Miner

Course Number: GEOL050

This course covers the Common Core training for Surface Miner as mandated by the Ministry of Labour. The student will also receive WHMIS training and certification. This course is required to work as a blaster in a pit, quarry or on a construction site. Students will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the modules.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Communications for Blasting Techniques I

Course Number: COMM129

This course, designed specifically for student in the Blasting Techniques program, focuses on the development of fundamental reading, writing, speaking, observational and research skills within the context of program and work needs in the blasting field. Students will prepare and respond to a variety of technical documents, some with links to their other program courses, and in the process learn to apply rules of usage in keeping with professional and program standards. Assessment strategies will be tied closely to other first semester courses.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Environmental Leadership

Course Number: NATR008

This course will enable students to develop a personal position and direct their career path within the context of the environmental and natural resource industry. A dynamic, interactive case study approach will be used to examine issues arising from environmental disputes and conflicts, and to develop an understanding of ecological sustainability.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Mathematics and Trade Calculations for Blasting

Course Number: MATH085

This course will enable students to apply specific mathematical concepts and acquire foundation skills important in Blasting. It is designed to complement and reinforce learning within other first semester courses and includes applied operations an emphasis on the mathematics and calculations used in the field of blasting.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00

Product Knowledge for Blasting

Course Number: GEOL051

This course covers the identifying of various explosive materials by type, marking, and applications. It also includes the safety procedures required to handle these materials when inserting them into blast holes and detonation.

Units: 15.00
Hours: 15.00

Safety and Legislation for Blasting

Course Number: LAWS174

This course emphasizes safety regulations and accompanying legislation for the correct handling, storage, and procedures with blasting equipment, explosives and their components, and tools. Proper equipment selection is stressed. Students will also develop a thorough understanding of the consequences of their actions on blast sites including responsibility and liability.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Semester 2

Blasthole Drilling

Course Number: GEOL046

This course introduces students to various applications, operating theories, and working principles of rock drills and air compressors. Safe work habits, cleanliness, organization, documentation, effective communication, and personal protective equipment will be stressed.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Blasting Applications Field Camp II

Course Number: APST081

This second field camp gives students more opportunity for practical hands-on experience with blasting in a highly supervised environment. Students will work on more advanced blasting applications and problems utilizing their skills and knowledge from Semester 1 and parts of Semester II of the program. Students will design a blast, execute a blast and record the blast results.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Communications for Blasting Techniques II

Course Number: COMM130

This course, designed specifically for student in the Blasting Techniques program, further develops the fundamental communications skills covered in Communications I. The focus is on the development of workplace communication skills, both individually and in teams, including employment communications.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Construction Blasting and Quarrying

Course Number: GEOL054

This course covers basic blasting operations in a wide variety of work sites with a concentration on applications in Quarries and on Construction sites. The course includes skills in survey methods for rock face conditions, layout patterns, and identifying three types of blasting cuts, and demonstrating the blasting techniques used in construction and at quarries. Upon completion of the course the students will have met the requirements for certification for the International Society of Explosives Engineers Level II.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Environmental Issues in Blasting

Course Number: GNED076

This course concentrates on the environmental impact of blasting. Students will learn about the negative impacts of uncontrolled blasting and the possible environmental effects. Using correct methods, students will learn how to control and minimize unwanted environmental factors associated with blasting.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Fundamentals of Blasting II: Blast Design and Layout

Course Number: GEOL053

In this course, students will learn to design a blast, plan, prepare and initiate a blast procedure. Students will also evaluate blast performance documenting the results correctly for a post-blast performance debrief. Students will consider various environmental and geological conditions that may affect the blast as well as weather considerations and impacts.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Geology for Blasting

Course Number: GEOL052

This course covers the basic principles of geology. Using the knowledge from geology, the student will learn how a blaster adapts to various geological conditions and solves the problems of various conditions present for blasting.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods

Course Number: MTRL038

This course will introduce students to the legislation relating to the safe storage, handling and transportation of dangerous goods. Federal and provincial legislation will be covered including pending changes at the federal level. The role of the Ministry of Labour regarding safety will be discussed. Students will learn the required procedures for the safe handling, storage, and transportation of explosive materials and be able to identify unsafe procedures and fill out all required documentation. During this course, students will also complete their training in WHMIS and receive their certification.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00