Roof Bolter / Mining

Operate machinery to install roof support bolts in underground mine.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Bolt Machine Operator; Bolt Man; Bolter; Miner; Place Change Roof Bolter; Roof Bolter; Roof Bolter Operator; Underground Miner; Underground Roof Bolter

Tasks

• 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.

Knowledge

• Production and Processing
• Mechanical
• Education and Training
• Public Safety and Security

Skills

• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Active Listening
• Speaking

Abilities

• Control Precision
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Manual Dexterity
• Extent Flexibility
• Problem Sensitivity
• Multilimb Coordination
• Reaction Time
• Near Vision
• Depth Perception
• Information Ordering
• Static Strength
• Selective Attention
• Response Orientation
• Rate Control
• Trunk Strength
• Stamina
• Gross Body Equilibrium
• Far Vision
• Speech Recognition
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Visualization
• Time Sharing
• Finger Dexterity
• Hearing Sensitivity
• Auditory Attention
• Speech Clarity