Mining roof bolters operate machinery to install roof support bolts in underground mines.

 

  • Drill bolt holes into roofs at specified distances from ribs or adjacent bolts.
  • Pull down loose rock that cannot be supported.
  • Position bolting machines, and insert drill bits into chucks.
  • Perform safety checks on equipment before operating.
  • Perform tests to determine if methane gas is present.
  • Force bolts into holes, using hydraulic mechanisms of self-propelled bolting machines.
  • Perform ventilation tasks, such as hanging ventilation curtains and tubes.
  • Dust rocks after bolting.
  • Install various types of bolts including truss, glue, and resin bolts, traversing entire ceiling spans.
  • Drill test holes and test bolts for specified tension, using torque wrenches.
  • Position safety jacks to support underground mine roofs until bolts can be installed.
  • Rotate chucks to turn bolts and open expansion heads against rock formations.
  • Remove drill bits from chucks after drilling holes and insert bolts into chucks.
  • Tighten ends of anchored truss bolts, using turnbuckles.
Work Context

Work Context information for this career will be available soon.

Work Activities
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
  • Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Read More
Detailed Work Activities
  • Break up rock, asphalt, or concrete.
  • Inspect equipment or tools to be used in construction or excavation.
  • Test air quality at work sites.
  • Install safety or support equipment.
  • Operate mining equipment.
  • Install metal structural components.
  • Read More

Knowledge

Production and Processing
  • Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Education and Training
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Mechanical
  • Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Public Safety and Security
  • Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Skills

Operation and Control
  • Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Troubleshooting
  • Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Monitoring
  • Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Read More

Abilities

Control Precision
  • The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
  • The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Extent Flexibility
  • The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Manual Dexterity
  • The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Read More

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
Read More

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Caterpillar Cat MineStar System Hot Technology
Data base user interface and query software
  • Data entry software Hot Technology
Industrial control software
  • Caterpillar Command