Machine Operators in Woodworking and Wood Processing

Nature of work

This group includes machine-related jobs that require some skill and are generally performed inside a building. These workers assist with repairs and maintenance of machinery; feed conveyors and other equipment; handle materials; monitor machine operations; and clean work areas.

Other machine operators in wood processing remove bark from logs, produce wood chips, preserve and treat wood, and produce wood products such as particle board, plywood, or veneer. They are employed in sawmills, pulp mills, planing mills, wood treatment plants, waferboard plants and other wood processing plants.

Woodworking machine operators make and repair wooden parts for furniture and other wood products. They are employed in furniture, fixture and other wood products manufacturing establishments.

Job duties

Machine operators in this group perform some or all of the following duties:

• Operate and tend various wood processing equipment and machines to remove bark, knots and dirt from logs; reduce logs or sawmill waste into wood chips or flakes; stack and band lumber; screen wood chips; and produce waferboards, particleboards, hardboards and insulation boards.
• Operate and tend conveyors, lathes, sanding machines and other equipment to peel and slice veneer from logs and log sections, and to glue, press, trim, sand and splice veneer sheets.
• Operate and tend kilns, treating tanks and other equipment to dry lumber and other wood products, and to treat chemically and impregnate wood products with preservatives.
• Observe equipment, panel indicators, video monitors, and other instruments to detect malfunctions and ensure that processes are operating according to specifications.
• Assemble plywood panels and repair plywood and veneer mechanically or manually.
• Start up, shut down, set up, adjust and assist in maintaining processing equipment and machines as required.
• Complete and maintain production reports.

Woodworking machine operators perform some or all of the following duties:

• Set up, program and operate one or more computer numerically controlled (CNC) or manual woodworking machines such as saws, moulders, lathes, routers, planers, edgers, pressing machines, shapers, drills and sanders to fabricate or repair wooden parts for furniture, fixtures and other wood products.
• Operate gluing machines to glue pieces of wood together or press and affix wood veneer to wood surfaces.
• Operate preset special-purpose woodworking machines to fabricate wood products such as coat hangers, mop handles, clothes pins and other products.
• Read and interpret specifications or follow verbal instructions.
• May clean and lubricate equipment, and replace parts as necessary.

Sample job titles

• chipper operator - wood processing
• drill press operator - woodworking
• lathe operator - woodworking
• lumber kiln operator
• machine plywood patcher
• machine sander - woodworking
• planer - woodworking
• plywood press operator
• power saw operator - woodworking
• wood treater

Skills

To work in these jobs, you should be responsible, alert, and in good physical health. Coordination, agility, and a mechanical aptitude are important. You must be accurate and attentive to detail. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

• Completion of some high school is usually required.
• On-the-job training is usually provided.
• Some college or company courses may be required for some jobs within this group.

Other considerations

These are largely rural jobs, and self-employment is not common. Generally, work is carried out in shifts at various hours of the day. Previous experience as a labourer within the same company is usually required as an entry point to this group of jobs. Mobility is common among jobs in this group. Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

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