Quarry Worker

Job Description:

Quarry workers dig out and process rock, slate, gravel and sand from quarries or mines.

Job Category:

Metals & Mining

See Metals & Mining jobs

What you will do:

In your day-to-day tasks you could:

use mechanical diggers to excavate rock, clay, sand, gravel and slate
operate equipment like rock crushers and stone graders
use drilling equipment
maintain vehicles and machinery
set and detonate explosives
transport materials in large trucks

Skills:

You’ll need:

the ability to operate and control equipment
the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

As well as:

the ability to work on your own
the ability to work well with your hands
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
the ability to work well with others (teamwork skills)
physical fitness and endurance
physical skills like strength and coordination

Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

an apprenticeship
applying directly

Apprenticeship
You could get into this job through an intermediate apprenticeship as a mineral processing mobile and static plant operator.

Direct Application
You can apply directly for jobs if you’ve got experience or qualifications in construction, mining, or operating heavy machinery like mechanical diggers.

Career tips
A relevant driving licence, for example, a large goods vehicle or plant operator’s licence, may give you an advantage when looking for work.

Restrictions and Requirements
You’ll need to:

have a driving licence that includes LGV for lorries, or PCV for buses, if you work with these vehicles

You may need your own transport to get to work, as quarries are usually in the countryside.

Working Hours and Environment:

You could work at a quarry.

Your working environment may be cramped, physically demanding, dusty and dirty.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career Path & Progression:

With training and experience, you could become a site supervisor, mineral products technician or quarry manager. You could also move into:

quality control
explosives work – shotfiring
health and safety inspection
machine and plant maintenance
laboratory work like testing samples