Carpenter

Carpenters cut, shape and assemble wooden elements for the construction of buildings and other structures. They also use materials such as plastic and metal in their creations. Carpenters create the wooden frames to support wood framed buildings.

Carpenters typically do the following:

• Follow blueprints and building plans to meet the needs of clients
• Install structures and fixtures, such as windows and molding
• Measure, cut, and shape wood, plastic, and other materials
• Construct and install building frameworks, including walls, floors, and doorframes
• Inspect and replace damaged framework or other structures and fixtures
• Instruct and direct laborers and other construction helpers.

Carpenters work indoors and outdoors on many types of construction projects, from installing kitchen cabinets to building highways and bridges. Carpenters may work in cramped spaces and frequently alternate between lifting, standing, and kneeling. Those who work outdoors are subject to variable weather, which may affect a project’s schedule.

Carpenters sometimes get injured on the job, such as from strains caused by overexertion due to lifting and moving materials. Other common injuries result from falls, slips, trips, and contact with objects or equipment. Workers often wear equipment such as boots, hardhats, protective eyewear, and reflective vests as a safeguard against injuries.

Most carpenters work full time, which may include evenings and weekends to meet clients’ deadlines. Extreme temperatures or inclement weather may impact building construction timelines, which in turn may affect carpenters’ work hours.

The following job titles also refer to carpenter:

timber worker
joinery worker
craft carpenter
frame-maker
heritage carpentry
woodworker
joiner
craftsman carpenter
carpentry framer
commercial carpenter
joiner supervisor

A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to enter the occupation. Certain high school courses, such as mathematics and mechanical drawing, may be useful. Some vocational-technical schools offer associate’s degrees in carpentry. The programs vary in length and teach basics and specialties in carpentry.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Carpenter is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to carpenter.

staircase installer
insulation worker
plasterer
ceiling installer
hardwood floor layer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of carpenter. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of carpenter with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

carpenter supervisor
roofing supervisor
bridge construction supervisor
bricklaying supervisor
insulation supervisor

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of carpenter.

• Woodworking tools: The various tools used to process wood, such as planers, chisels and lathes.
• Wood cuts: Different ways of cutting wood, across the grain or parallel with it, and radial or tangential to the core. The behaviour of cuts of wood under different circumstances and the optimal cut for a given purpose. Influence of special attributes of the wood, like knots or defects.
• Types of wood: Types of wood, such as birch, pine, poplar, mahogany, maple and tulipwood.

These skills are necessary for the role of carpenter.

• Sort waste: Manually or automatically sort waste by separating it into its different elements.
• Install wood elements in structures: Install elements made of wood and wood-based composite materials, such as doors, stairs, plinths, and ceiling frames. Assemble and affix the elements, taking care to prevent gaps. Inspect the work and notify the responsible person in case of problems.
• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Snap chalk line: Stretch a line covered in fine, non-staining chalk between two points and snap it against a surface to produce a straight line.
• Join wood elements: Bind wooden materials together using a variety of techniques and materials. Determine the optimal technique to join the elements, like stapling, nail, gluing or screwing. Determine the correct work order and make the joint.
• Transport construction supplies: Bring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly taking various aspects into account such as the workers’ safety and protection from deterioration.
• Inspect construction supplies: Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
• Create smooth wood surface: Shave, plane and sand wood manually or automatically to produce a smooth surface.
• Identify wood warp: Identify wood that has changed shape due to stresses, wear or incorrect installation. Recognise the different types of warp, like bow, twist, crook and cup. Identify possible causes and solutions to wood warp.
• Keep track of wooden elements: Order wooden elements to be used for a workpiece in a logical way. Clearly identify the elements and how they will be joined together, using symbols drawn onto the wood or another system.
• Follow health and safety procedures in construction: Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
• Install construction profiles: Install a variety of metal or plastic profiles used to attach materials to each other or to structural elements. Cut them to size if called for.
• Keep sawing equipment in good condition: Make sure sawing equipment is always in good and safe working condition. Inspect the equipment for defects. Replace defective or worn-out elements in accordance with guidelines. Store elements safely when not in use. Notify the responsible party in case of large or dangerous defects.
• Install wood hardware: Use hinges, knobs and rails to fix wooden hardware on wooden elements. Make sure the hardware fits onto or into the element. Make sure moving hardware articulates smoothly and securely.
• Interpret 3D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
• Clean wood surface: Use a variety of techniques on a wood surface to ensure it is free of dust, sawdust, grease, stains, and other contaminants.
• Use measurement instruments: Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.
• Create wood joints: Use the proper tools and processes to create the joints where multiple pieces of wood fit together.
• Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
• Interpret 2D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.
• Apply wood finishes: Use a variety of techniques to finish wood. Paint, varnish and stain wood to improve its function, durability, or appearance.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of carpenter. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Energy performance of buildings: Factors that contribute to lower energy consumption of buildings. Building and renovation techniques used to achieve this. Legislation and procedures regarding energy performance of buildings.
• Asbestos removal regulations: The legislation and regulations surrounding the removal of asbestos contamination from buildings or structures, the safe removal of contaminated materials and the regulations to avoid and prevent contamination.
• Loading charts for transportation of goods: Understand the information displayed in loading charts showing the weight of shipments loaded in trailers. Read loading charts for the transport of larger items, dangerous materials or shipments that need special care.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of carpenter. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Operate crosscut saw: Operate a crosscut saw to make manual cuts.
• Assess conservation needs: Assess and list the needs for conservation/restoration, in relation to current use and planned future use.
• Apply restoration techniques: Select and apply appropriate restoration techniques in order to achieve the required restoration goals. This encompasses preventive measures, remedial measures, restoration processes and management processes.
• Answer requests for quotation: Make up prices and documents for the products that customers may purchase.
• Use squaring pole: Use a squaring pole, a telescopic measurement pole that allows for checking the length of the diagonals of an inset area of a structure. If the diagonals are of equal length, the inset is straight.
• Operate band saw: Operate a band saw, an industrial saw that features a continuous flexible blade revolving around two or more wheels.
• Use sander: Use different types of drywall sanders, automatic or manual, handheld or on an extension, to sand surfaces to a smooth finish or to rough them up for better adhesion.
• Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
• Work in a construction team: Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Maintain work area cleanliness: Keep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.
• Calculate needs for construction supplies: Take measurements on site and estimate the amount of materials required for the construction or restoration project.
• Secure working area: Secure the operation site fixing boundaries, restricting access, placing signs and taking other measures in order to guarantee public and staff safety.
• Install insulation material: Place insulation material, often shaped into rolls, in order to insulate a structure from thermal or acoustic influences and to prevent fire. Attach the material using face staples, inset staples, or rely on friction to keep the material in place.
• Estimate restoration costs: Estimate the cost implications of restoring and replacing products or parts.
• Create cutting plan: Draw up plans to show how the material will be cut into functional pieces to minimise loss of material.
• Build scaffolding: Assemble temporary scaffolding structures for construction, maintenance or event-related purposes. Set vertical standards on the base plate of the scaffolding structure. Ensure the scaffolding structure is secured from lateral forces and supported sufficiently. Place wood or metal scaffolding decks into the transoms to stand on and make sure they are aligned. Safely set scaffolding stairs and ladders, which allow enough room for safe and easy manoeuvring.
• Operate wood router: Handle automated or non-automated industrial wood routers, which feature a routing head that moves over the wood, going up and down to regulate the depth of the incision.
• Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
• Order construction supplies: Order required materials for the construction project, taking care to purchase the most suitable material for a good price.
• Process incoming construction supplies: Receive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.
• Program a CNC controller: Set up the desired product design in the CNC controller of the CNC machine for product manufacturing.
• Operate table saw: Handle an industrial table saw, which cuts with a rotating circular blade built into a table. Set the height of the saw to control the depth of the cut. Pay particular attention to safety, as factors such as natural stresses within the wood may produce unpredictable forces.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Construct wood roofs: Build the structural elements of wood flat or pitched roofs. Lay rafters to provide strength and battens at regular intervals to account for lateral forces and attach any covering. Back the weight-bearing elements with panels, such as plywood, and insulation material.
• Set up temporary construction site infrastructure: Set up a variety of temporary infrastructure used on building sites. Put up fences and signs. Set up any construction trailers and make sure that these are connected to electricity lines and water supply. Establish supplies stores and garbage disposal in a sensible manner.
• Follow safety procedures when working at heights: Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.

7115 – Carpenters and joiners

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References

1. Carpenter – ESCO
2. Carpenters : Occupational Outlook Handbook – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Featured image: Photo by Ryno Marais on Unsplash