Mining Blaster Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

For over three decades, Lyons Salt has provided superior deicing and agricultural salts from our mine in Lyons, KS. Our thriving business stems from commitment to our customers and a respect for every product request to help them better serve their clients. As a member of the team at Lyons Salt, you are contributing to personalized, responsive service day or night. Lyons Salt is proud to operate under one umbrella with other iconic salt companies including Morton Salt, Windsor Salt, and more.

Job Summary 

Under the immediate supervision of a supervisor, the laborer performs at a basic level a variety of manual labor tasks in the mine and/or surface operations; many job assignments with emphasis on heavy equipment and reclamation duties as assigned. This person will perform all assigned process specifications and instructions safely and competently. The individual will report any malfunctions or abnormalities to their supervisor; ensuring that the machinery and safety equipment are in good working order and a high standard of housekeeping is maintained in their workplace.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform a variety of basic level work including manual labor tasks such as shoveling salt, cleaning floors, and assisting operators of all kinds on the various operations – start and stop, grease, and clean belt conveyors and crushers.
• Occasionally operate heavy mining equipment (Loaders, Drills, Telehandlers, Etc.)
• May handle explosives. 
• May use hand drill, etc.
• Since operations is a specialized field, individual should have capabilities that will enable future qualification for more skilled operations jobs; as a matter of training, occasionally may perform some of these skilled jobs such as drilling holes, assisting powderman, etc. – may do hand scaling and other jobs as directed.
• Perform routine cleanup of required areas.
• Identify hazards, unsafe actions, and conditions that could result in damage to property, injury, and/or impacts to the environment and community.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• High degree of attention required to prevent injury to self and coworkers; promote safe workplace.
• Must be able to work safely in varying temperatures in the mine workplace, and outside year-round.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 100 pounds regularly.
• Must be able to wear steel-toed shoes, safety glasses, hard hat, and high-vis.
• Must be able to work overtime as necessary, including weekends.
• Must be able to work at heights as needed.
• Must be able to work different shifts.
• Normally requires less than (2) weeks’ experience and training to qualify.
• Must pass pre-employment physical and background check.

Work Environment 

• Work environment is the underground mine and/or surface operations. Employee is exposed to dust, dirt, and fumes from blasting and equipment, as well as variation in noise, temperature, and equipment vibration due to uneven and sloping floors.

Essential Job Functions

• Capable of inspecting work area for safety hazards and mitigation as necessary.
• Cleans salt spillage under conveyor belts and along walkways; cleaning requires the employee to use a shovel to remove salt – this would call for the employee to climb ladders, bend, twist and lift the loaded shovel.
• Assist loading a bench and development rounds with explosives, requiring the employee to lift 50-pound bags of ANFO from a pallet and hold over a hole pouring the contents into the hole. The employee would have to bend, stoop, lift, and twist while holding the 50-pound bag
• Operate the skid steer and support equipment.  Must have good eye-hand coordination to properly manipulate the respective hand controls; requires the employee to fill the equipment, and pump oil, fuel, or compressed air into production equipment – this requires reaching, twisting, bending, and lifting.
• Assist mechanics in major repairs and perform minor maintenance, for this reason employee must be adept at using hand tools.
• Assist equipment operators in hanging cables, curtains, or other support equipment – this requires the employee to work up to 35 feet above the floor (in a basket) to lift and fasten cables and curtains to the roof – this requires lifting, twisting and holding.
• Assist equipment operators and direct them in areas where hazards of scaling, drop offs, and other equipment or structures exist; requires the employee to recognize the hazard, and to verbally communicate to the equipment operator – will use hand signals to direct movement of vehicles.
• Hand scale loose ribs, which requires the employee to use a hand scaling bar to remove the scale from the rib or face – requires lifting, bending and twisting, and requires training and reasoning ability to avoid accidents.
• Must be permitted to possess/handle explosives and submit an employee possessor questionnaire to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
• Must be able to work productively in a group environment.
• Must be able to work additional hours as required.

At Lyons Salt, we work best when we work as a team, when we treat one another with dignity and respect, and value the unique contributions of others. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, national origin, sex, religion, color, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.