Mine Laborer

Morton Salt, Inc.; New Iberia (LA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Morton Salt, Inc. is seeking an entry-level laborer to perform basic tasks in the mine and surface operations in Louisiana. Under supervision, you will help with shoveling salt, housekeeping, and supporting equipment operators while maintaining a strong safety focus.

Responsibilities include assisting with explosives as needed, reporting hazards, and complying with blasting license requirements. The role requires physical stamina and the ability to work in varied temperatures and environments.

Qualifications

• Normally requires less than 2 weeks experience and training to qualify.
• Must be able to obtain blasting license at hire/qualification and maintain during employment.

Responsibilities

• Perform basic labor tasks such as shoveling salt and cleaning floors.
• Assist operators and operate fork truck and support equipment.
• Handle explosives as required.
• Identify hazards and report unsafe conditions.
• Work in underground mine or surface operations in varied temperatures.

Skills

Safety awareness

Physical stamina

Teamwork

Attentive to detail

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Forklift operation

Explosives handling (training)

Job description

Morton Salt is an iconic company with a strong heritage and a bright future. Since 1848, we have been improving lives and enhancing everyday moments – at home, at work and virtually everywhere in between. We help unlock the flavors in food, make roads and sidewalks safer, improve the water in baths, pools, and homes, and keep businesses and industries running. We are a dedicated team who constantly strives to do better together, and we are passionate about building a sustainable future for our company, the communities in which we operate, and the world around us. By joining our team, you will contribute to producing and delivering every form of salt that enhances everyday life.

Under the immediate supervision of a Production 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. SAP input will be required for surface Labor jobs.

Must be 18 or older to apply.

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.
• 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.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Normally requires less than (2) weeks experience and training to qualify.
• Must be able to obtain an appropriate blasting license at the time of hire / qualification and maintain during employment.

Skills, Knowledge 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 mine workplace, and outside year round
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly
• Must be able to wear steel-toed shoes and safety glasses
• Must be able to work overtime as necessary
• Must be able to work at heights as needed

Special Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

• 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 fork truck and support equipment, requiring the employee to use the fork truck to deliver supplies and ANFO to the working areas. Must have good eye-hand coordination to properly manipulate the respective hand controls; requires the employee to fill the lube truck, drive it to 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 90 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 able to work productively in a group environment.
• Must be able to work additional hours as required.
• 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.

At Morton 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.