Rock Splitters, Quarry
People classed as Rock Splitters, Quarry separate blocks of rough dimension stone from quarry mass using jackhammers, wedges, or chop saws. The skills rated most useful are operation and control, operations monitoring, and active listening. A regular part of the work is to locate grain line patterns to determine how rocks will split when cut. Interest ratings put Realistic on top at 7.0 out of 7 and Conventional second, so the code is RCI and the day leans toward hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world. Getting in usually takes a few months to a year of learning on the job, a level O*NET calls some preparation. It tends to suit people who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, and it offers little for anyone seeking leading, persuading and making business decisions.
What they do
Separate blocks of rough dimension stone from quarry mass using jackhammers, wedges, or chop saws.
Main tasks
- Locate grain line patterns to determine how rocks will split when cut.
- 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.
- Mark dimensions or outlines on stone prior to cutting, using rules and chalk lines.
Skills
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Time Management
- Reading Comprehension
Who this career fits
May suit you if
- You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
- You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
- You are comfortable relying on operation and control and operations monitoring.
May not suit you if
- You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
- You want to lead people or run the business side. Enterprising rates 1.2 out of 7 here.
- You want a career built on years of advanced study.
Interest profile
O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCI takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.
Preparation
Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.
Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Less than a High School Diploma. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.
Also called
- Driller
- Quarry Worker
- Rock Splitter
- Splitter Operator
- Stone Breaker
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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.