Sawmill operator

Sawmill operators work with automated lumber mill equipment which saws timber into rough lumber. They also handle various sawing machines which further process the lumber in various shapes and sizes. These processes are nowadays often computer controlled.

Samill operators typically perform the following duties:

• Operate front-end loaders and stationary deck cranes to feed logs into the sawmill
• Examine logs and rough lumber to determine size, condition, quality and other characteristics to decide best lumber cuts to carry out, or use automated equipment to convey logs through laser scanners which determine the most productive and profitable cutting patterns
• Operate automated lumbermill equipment from control rooms or consoles to saw logs into rough lumber; saw, trim and plane rough lumber into dressed lumber of various sizes; and saw or split shingles and shakes
• Start conveyor system to move logs and lumber to and from saws
• Set up and adjust saw equipment and replace blades or bands using wrenches, gauges and other hand tools
• Operate equipment to sort and stack lumber by length and thickness, move stacks to storage areas or drying kilns, and feed lumber through planers
• Monitor movement of lumber and computer screens to ensure cuts are made according to specifications, and print production reports
• Clean and lubricate sawmill equipment.

Sawmill operators are employed in sawmills, which are usually located in rural areas near forests. The work is physically demanding and often dirty and dusty. Workers must be able to lift heavy logs and stand for long periods of time. They also must be cautious of moving machinery and flying debris.

Most sawmills operate two shifts, so workers may be required to work weekends and holidays. Overtime is often available.

The following job titles also refer to sawmill operator:

cross cut operator
sawmill operative
sawmill tender
sawing machine operator
sawmill supervisor
sawmill machine operator
sawmill worker

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as a sawmill operator.

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.

Sawmill operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

band saw operator
nailing machine operator
wood router operator
table saw operator
veneer slicer operator

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

pulp control operator
automated assembly line operator
wood production supervisor
metal production supervisor
wood assembly supervisor

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

• Woodworking processes: Steps in the processing of wood for the manufacturing of wooden articles and types of machines used for these processes such as drying, shaping, assembling and surface finishing.
• Cutting technologies: The variety of cutting technologies, such as software or mechanics, guiding cutting processes through lasering, sawing, milling etc.
• 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 sawmill operator.

• Remove inadequate workpieces: Evaluate which deficient processed workpieces do not meet the set-up standard and should be removed and sort the waste according to regulations.
• Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
• Remove processed workpiece: Remove individual workpieces after processing, from the manufacturing machine or the machine tool. In case of a conveyor belt this involves quick, continuous movement.
• Manipulate wood: Manipulate the properties, shape and size of wood.
• Perform test run: Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
• Work safely with machines: Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.
• Dispose of cutting waste material: Dispose of possibly hazardous waste material created in the cutting process, such as swarf, scrap and slugs, sort according to regulations, and clean up workplace.
• Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
• Ensure equipment availability: Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
• Monitor automated machines: Continuously check up on the automated machine’s set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.
• Adjust properties of cut: Adjust cut sizes and depths of cutting tools. Adjust heights of worktables and machine-arms.
• Create cutting plan: Draw up plans to show how the material will be cut into functional pieces to minimise loss of material.
• 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.
• Handle timber-based products: Identify the main types of timber based products to be received at your company. Stack and store timber based products safely and in compliance with company procedures.
• Supply machine: Ensure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.
• Handle timber: Identify the main types of timber to be received at your company. Stack and store timber safely and in compliance with company procedures.
• Ensure conformity to specifications: Ensure that the assembled products are conform to the specifications given.
• Operate wood sawing equipment: Operate various machinery and equipment to cut wood in different sizes and shapes.

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

• Sawing techniques: Various sawing techniques for using manual as well as electric saws.
• Types of table saws: Distinguish different kinds of table saws, such as benchtop table saws, contractor table saws, cabinet table saws, and hybrid table saws.
• Types of crosscut saws: Be acquainted with the use of different kinds of crosscut saws, which consist mainly of felling and bucking saws.
• Woodworking tools: The various tools used to process wood, such as planers, chisels and lathes.
• Mechanical systems: Mechanical systems, including gears, engines, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Their functions and likely defects.
• Types of sawing blades: Types of cutting blades used in the sawing process, such as band saw blades, crosscut blades, plytooth blades and others, made from tool steel, carbide, diamond or other materials.
• First aid: The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of sawmill operator. 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.
• Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
• Record production data for quality control: Keep records of the machine’s faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.
• Operate band saw: Operate a band saw, an industrial saw that features a continuous flexible blade revolving around two or more wheels.
• Carry out measurements of parts: Operate measurement instruments to measure parts of manufactured objects. Take into consideration specifications of manufacturers to perform the measuring.
• Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
• Replace sawing blade on machine: Replace the old blade of a sawing machine with a new one by removing the chip brush, taking away the front blade guide, loosening the blade tension and removing the blade. Assemble and install new blade by replacing the front blade guide, installing the chip brush, replacing the blade cover and adjusting blade tension.
• Identify hazards in the workplace: Perform safety audits and inspections on workplaces and workplace equipment. Ensure that they meet safety regulations and identify hazards and risks.
• Conduct routine machinery checks: Check machinery and equipment to ensure reliable performance during use and operations in worksites.
• Pack goods: Pack different kinds of goods such as finished manufactured products or goods in use. Pack goods by hand in boxes, bags and other types of containers.
• Provide advice to technicians: Offer help and advice to service technicians in case of machine malfunctions and other repair tasks.
• Prepare production reports: Prepare a comprehensive and unbiased report on wood technology production and progressive development of wood based materials.
• 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.
• Consult technical resources: Read and interpret such technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.
• Check quality of raw materials: Check the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.
• Operate thickness planer machine: Feed wood materials into the thickness planer, after which a surfaced board is retrieved. Avoid ‘sniping’ by using an additional piece of wood with the same thickness.
• 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.

8172 – Wood processing plant operators

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References

1. Sawmill operator – ESCO
2. Sawmill Worker: Job Description, Salary, Duties, & More – ClimbtheLadder
3. Sawmill Machine Operator in Canada | Job description – Job Bank
4. Featured image: By Jakethrelkeld – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0