Rock Splitters, Quarry

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Also known as:  Quarry Plug and Feather Driller, Sandstone Splitter

ABOUT QUARRY ROCK SPLITTER CAREERS

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT Expand
One of mankind's oldest and most useful natural materials is solid rock. Working in quarries, rock splitters use skills handed down through the centuries to break large slabs of stone into smaller, more manageable pieces.

This is a trade that's learned on the job from more experience splitter ...
s. Hand tools like hammers and metal wedges are used. The wedges are carefully driven deeper and deeper into the rock until it finally splits. Workers also learn how to properly mark the stone for cutting straight lines. These are the same basic techniques the ancient Egyptians used to build their massive pyramids.

Even today, with the help of modern equipment, it's still hard and noisy work. That's why protective gear needs to be worn, including safety glasses, earplugs, and special steel-reinforced boots.

The work is done outdoors in the heat of summer and the cold of winter. It requires bending and lifting, as well as working in awkward positions. As work sites become more mechanized, the need for human rock splitters is expected to decline.

But for those who love physical challenges and have excellent coordination and skill with tools, it's a job that brings its own form of satisfaction. Rock splitters can take pride in handling tasks that relatively few people have the drive, strength, and endurance to perform.
SNAPSHOT Expand
Separate blocks of rough dimension stone from quarry mass using jackhammer and wedges.
Leadership
LOW
Critical decision making
LOW
Level of responsibilities
LOW
Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines
LOW
Dealing and handling conflict
LOW
Competition for this position
LOW
Communication with others
LOW
Work closely with team members, clients etc.
LOW
Comfort of the work setting
LOW
Exposure to extreme environmental conditions
LOW
Exposure to job hazards
LOW
Physical demands
LOW
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DAILY TASKS
Locate grain line patterns to determine how rocks will split when cut.
Mark dimensions or outlines on stone prior to cutting, using rules and chalk lines.
Remove pieces of stone from larger masses, using jackhammers, wedges, and other tools.
Insert wedges and feathers into holes, and drive wedges with sledgehammers to split stone sections from masses.
MAIN ACTIVITIES Expand
Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
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.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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.
AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE Expand
Production and Processing Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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.
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.
Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Personnel and Human Resources Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
KEY ABILITIES Expand
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.
Multilimb Coordination The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Control Precision The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Static Strength The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Trunk Strength The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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.
Extent Flexibility The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
TOP SKILLS Expand
Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Time Management Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.