About This Career

Separates blocks of rough dimension stone from quarry mass using jackhammers, wedges, or chop saws.

This career is part of the Architecture and Construction cluster Construction pathway.

A person in this career:

• Locates grain line patterns to determine how rocks will split when cut.
• Removes pieces of stone from larger masses, using jackhammers, wedges, and other tools.
• Inserts wedges and feathers into holes, and drives wedges with sledgehammers to split stone sections from masses.
• Marks dimensions or outlines on stone prior to cutting, using rules and chalk lines.
• Cuts slabs of stone into sheets that will be used for floors or counters.
• Sets charges of explosives to split rock.
• Drills holes along outlines, using jackhammers.
• Drills holes into sides of stones broken from masses, inserts dogs or attaches slings, and directs removal of stones.
• Cuts grooves along outlines, using chisels.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 20 lbs., sometimes up to 50 lbs. You might do a lot of lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling.
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Exposure to pollutants, gases, dust, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, etc.
• Conditions are very hot (above 90 F) or very cold (under 32 F)
• Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
• Exposed to hazardous equipment such as saws, machinery, or vehicular traffic more than once a month
• Work in this occupation requires being outside most of the time
• Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time
• Whole body vibrations, such as when operating a jackhammer

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Using muscles repeatedly or over time without tiring
• Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching
• Seeing clearly up close
• Exerting oneself physically over long periods of time without getting out of breath
• Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying objects
• Using abdominal and lower back muscles repeatedly or over time without tiring

Work Hours and Travel

• Regular working hours and limited travel