Manufacturing & Production

 

Logging Assistants assist with logging, felling and sawing of trees in forests.

 

ANZSCO ID: 841312

Alternative names: Buckers - work alongside fallers, trimming the tops and branches of felled trees and bucking (cutting) the logs into specific lengths.

Specialisations: Sleeper Cutter

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• Communication skills: Logging workers must communicate within a crew so they can cut and delimb trees efficiently and safely.

• Decision-making skills: Logging workers must make quick, intelligent decisions when hazards arise.

• Detail oriented: Logging workers must watch gauges, dials, and other indicators to determine whether their equipment and tools are working properly.

• Physical stamina: Logging workers need to be able to perform laborious tasks repeatedly.

• Physical strength. Logging workers must be able to handle heavy equipment.

(Source: Your Career)

Duties and Tasks

• removes major branches and tree tops, trims branches and saws trunks into logs

• assists with loading and transporting logs

• plans the felling of trees and determines the natural and intended fall of each tree

• clears surrounding area of saplings and debris prior to tree-felling

• operates and maintains manual and machine saws to fell trees and to cut felled trees into logs.

• fasten cables around logs to be dragged by tractors

• operate machinery that drag logs to the landing or deck area

• separate logs by species and type of wood and load them onto trucks

• drive and maneuver feller–buncher tree harvesters to shear trees and cut logs into desired lengths

• grade logs according to characteristics such as knot size and straightness

• inspect equipment for safety, and perform necessary basic maintenance tasks, before using the equipment

Working conditions

Logging is physically demanding and can be dangerous. Workers spend all their time outdoors, sometimes in poor weather and often in isolated areas. The increased use of enclosed machines has decreased some of the discomforts caused by bad weather and has generally made logging much safer.

Most logging work involves lifting, climbing, and other strenuous activities, although machinery has eliminated some heavy labor. Falling branches, vines, and rough terrain are constant hazards, as are dangers associated with felling trees and handling logs.

Tools and technologies

Chain saws and other power equipment can be dangerous; therefore, workers must be careful and must use proper safety measures and equipment, such as hardhats, safety clothing, hearing protection devices, and boots.

Education and training/entrance requirements

Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Logging Assistant. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in forestry (harvesting and haulage) or horticulture.

 

  Manufacturing & Production

 

Timber and wood production workers assist with the milling, processing and merchandising of timber and timber products such as sawn timber, timber mouldings, roof trusses, wall frames, laminated beams, plywood, hardboard, fibreboard, laminates and veneered products. Timber mill workers process raw logs into timber, flooring, decking and other basic timber products. They carry out a range of manual tasks in the mill and operate the various machinery used to process the timber. Raw logs are stripped of their bark and other rough material and cut to the required shape and size using a variety of mechanical saws. The cut timber is then seasoned to keep the wood from shrinking or warping. Some timber may be seasoned by being left to dry in the sun and wind, however it is more commonly dried in specially designed kilns. Seasoned timber may be planed to give the wood a smooth finish or it may be shipped rough. The finished timber is examined to determine its grade and quality before it is packed and shipped to wholesalers.

ANZSCO description: 8394: Performs routine tasks in a sawmill or timber yard such as sorting and stacking timber, assisting timber machinists, assembling orders and racking offcuts.

Alternative names: Lumber Mill Worker, Sawmill Hand, Sawmill Operator, Sawmill Worker, Timber Mill Worker, Timber Mill Worker, Timber Production Technician, Timber Products Worker, Timber Yard Worker, Wood Processing Worker

  
Specialisations:

Kiln Operator (Wood Operator) - uses solar, gas or steam kilns or ovens to dry and season timber and other wood products.

Production Operator (Panel and Board) - assists in the machining of panels, production of veneers and laminating of boards.

Sawmill and Processing Plant Operator - operates sawmilling and processing plants to cut and sort material.

Timber Truss and Frame Production Fabricator - operates a range of equipment to dress boards and timber, cut material and assemble products including timber roof and floor trusses.

Knowledge, skills and attributes

A timber mill worker needs:

• to be physically fit and able to lift heavy objects

• enjoy practical work

• enjoy working with timber and timber products

• alert and safety-conscious - a high level of safety awareness

• able to cope with the physical demands of the job

• basic mathematical ability

• good hand-eye coordination

• the ability to maintain concentration and focus for long periods

(Source: The Star)

 

Duties and Tasks

• rolling logs from trucks and conveyors to log decks, saw carriages and stacking bays

• examines wood for faults such as knots, bad edges, stains and poor machine work

• placing logs and wood billets onto conveyors and lathes for processing into chips, and veneers

• returns faulty pieces for further machining

• grades and marks satisfactory pieces according to quality and size

• keeps records of defective work

• select types and grades of timber and measure and cut to order

• operate bandsaws, gangsaws or circular saws to convert logs to usable timber

• support and guide timber being sawn

• assist with the production of veneers, plywoods, and laminates often using sophisticated computerised equipment

• assemble fabricated products such as timber frames and trusses

• undertake specialist operations such as kiln drying and visual or mechanical stress grading

• stack and pack timber and prepare it for dispatch

• operate forklifts

• undertake administrative tasks such as record keeping, including tallying and ordering

 

Working conditions


Most timber and wood production workers are employed in regional centres, in businesses ranging from small sawmills to large processing and manufacturing plants. Most timber mills are located where commercial forestry operations are based. Timber mills are generally large operations with a number of sections, including log yards, green mills (for unseasoned wood), dry mills, kilns, despatch yards and maintenance workshops. Many employers will rotate staff through the different sections on a regular basis. The work is physically demanding, requiring heavy lifting, however many of the processes are mechanised and specialist equipment and technology is available to assist with many tasks. Timber mills are often noisy and dusty environments, with many dangerous pieces of machinery in operation. Safety is very important in these workplaces to minimise the risk of serious injury.

Did You Know? This sawmill yard worker is wearing a hardhat with earmuffs and face visor attached. He is also wearing cut-resistant chaps and steel capped boots. Some jobs, like using a chainsaw, require more specialised PPE than other jobs – so you should always check that you're wearing all the necessary PPE before you start a new task, particularly if that activity has any special hazards that apply to it. (Source: WorkSpace Training)

Tools and technologies

Timber mill workers may operate a number of specialist machines including band saws, frame-saws, circular saws, planers, chippers and kilns. Machinery is also used to lift and move logs around the mill, including conveyor belts, forklifts and cranes. Callipers and measuring tapes may be used to measure timber, both before and after processing, with chalk or crayons used to mark the timber with measurements and other grading information. Timber mill workers are required to wear safety equipment, which may include safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-capped boots, hard-hats and high visibility clothing. Clothing must also fit well, as loose clothing may get caught in machinery.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a sawmill or timber yard worker you usually need to complete a traineeship Sawmilling and Processing, Timber Manufactured Products or Wood Panel Products.. The sawmill worker and sawmilling technician traineeships usually take 12 month to complete. The sawmill worker traineeship is available as a school-based traineeship.

 

Additional Information

Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Forest and Forest Products Training Package that will expand your career opportunities within this industry. Timber and wood production workers may be required to hold a License to Perform High Risk Work.

Employment Opportunities

Timber and wood production workers usually start as general hands in a timber mill. They progress to stacking and assisting with sawing before being put in charge of a saw or other machinery.

 

 

 Manufacturing & Production

Pulp and Paper Mill Operators facilitate the operation of a variety of tasks in the production of paper and pulp. Paper and Pulp Mill Workers perform routine tasks in paper and pulp mills, such as placing logs onto conveyors for chipping, and loading woodchip and pulp for processing. Pulp and paper operators control various chemical and physical processes used in the manufacture of pulp and paper products from wood and waste paper. The pulp and paper industry uses many different machines and technologies to manufacture products.

Plant operators are generally classified according to the process they operate, from initial pulping of woodchip and waste paper through to producing paper products.

 

Paper products are everywhere, from personal care items such as bathroom and facial tissue to paper plates and corrugated boxes. Pulp and paper mills manufacture these paper goods in a multiple step process that begins with a product recipe and ends with final product formation and packaging. Paper mills use an array of equipment to make this happen. Operators and support workers run the equipment to create a final product. A paper maker job description ranges from machine set up and operation to quality control testing and general housekeeping.

 

ANZSCO ID: 839411

  
Alternative names: Pulp and Paper Mill Operators; Paper and Pulp Mill Workers; Pulp, Paper Making and Paper Products Labourer, Pulp and Paper Operator,

Knowledge, skills and attributes

In a paper making job, such as an operator or assistant operator, you need an understanding of production processes. This includes handling and mixing raw materials on a large scale, watching and reading instrumentation gauges and dials and keeping up with production schedules. You must also know how to monitor process operations to determine if adjustments or corrections are needed. Paper making mill jobs can be very physical. You must be able to use your hands and arms to move and maneuver material and equipment using manual or motorized devices.

• problem-solving skills

• able to handle multiple tasks

• mechanical and numerical aptitude

• interested in sustainable solutions

• high level of health and safety awareness

• able to work as part of a team and under limited supervision

• enjoy practical and manual activities

(Source: Industriall-Union)

 

Duties and Tasks

• rolling logs from trucks and conveyors to log decks, saw carriages and stacking bays

• placing logs and wood billets onto conveyors and lathes for processing into pulp

• Loads digester with raw materials and chemicals.

• Regulates and adjusts the temperature and pressure within the digester.

• Tests samples by titration or standard colour test to determine completion of process.

• Drains liquid from digester and monitors removal of the cooked pulp.

• Takes samples of bleached material for testing.

• Washes bleached material and blends to obtain uniform quality.

• May be required to add chemicals during the bleaching process and make chemical or electrolytic tests.

• Undertakes the addition of size, fillers, dyes, alum and chemicals, and tests for correct consistency.

• Ensures transfer of completed batch to storage tanks where it is kept under agitation to maintain consistency.

• May mix and cook colouring matter for dyeing product in the machine.

• Controls flow of wet pulp through rotary screens to paper making machines.

• Operates drier and calendar rollers.

• Operates supercalendar to impart gloss and finish to surface of paper.

• Operates machine to glaze or impregnate paper with coating mixture.

• Separates sheets from felts and lays sheets in packs, re-presses packs.

• Separates sheets from pack and dries.

• clearing blockages in machines

• packing and loading finished products for transportation

• cleaning work areas, tools and equipment

• Activate mill and operating machines and equipment used to manufacture paper and pulp products

• Adhere to health and safety standards while operating machines, cleaning work areas at the end of the day

• Arrange and load completed pulp and paper materials for transportation

• Operate a variety of machines and equipment for processing wood and other materials, providing routine maintenance and repairs when needed

• Transfer processed wood materials to work areas for further processing and finishing

• Unload trucks and storage of wood and other materials needed for production and setting them in proper location for processing

• operate specialised high-speed machines to manufacture paper according to strict technical standards

• operate chemical and/or mechanical pulping plants made up of complex, interrelated process control loops

• operate equipment that converts large rolls of paper product into smaller rolls, reams and sheets according to customer requirements

• operate equipment that coats or finishes paper products, through perforating, embossing, laminating, printing, bonding and other methodsequipment that folds, wraps or packages paper products

• inspect samples of products and laboratory reports, and adjust plant operations to maintain output and product quality standards

• compile production records and reports

 

Working conditions

Pulp & Paper Mill Operators typically work Mondays to Fridays, but may be required to work evenings to complete large orders. Work can be physically demanding and may be repetitive. They typically work in mills or workshop settings, operating a variety of equipment and manually lifting materials for processing. They should have strong attention to detail and be able to oversee operations while adhering to health and safety standards for workers. Pulp and paper operators generally work in teams and in shifts.

Working conditions vary from control room based to field inspections.

 

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a Paper and Pulp Mill Worker without formal qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. Training may also be available through VET (Vocational Education and Training).

 

 

Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs
(Jobs not linked are currently being worked on)

Arborist	Crane Operator	Cabinetmaker	Carpenter
Forester	Forklift Operator	Furniture Polisher	Logging Truck Driver
Mobile Plant Operator	Packer Paper Technologist	Park Ranger	Shipwright
Wholesaler	WHS Officer

 

Materials sourced from
Jobs & Skills WA [Tree Faller; Sawmill or Timber Yard Worker; ]
CareersOnline [Timber and Wood Production Worker; Timber Harvesting Operator; Pulp and Paper Operator; ]
Open Universities [Pulp and Paper Mill Operator]
Chron [Paper Mill Paper Maker; ]
CareerHQ [Timber Harvesting Operator; ]
Career Harvest [Forestry and Logging Worker;]
Labour Market Insights [Logging Assistant; ]
Truity [Logging Worker; ]
Your Career [Tree Faller; Sawmill & Timber Yard Worker; Wood and Wood Products Factory Worker; Timber and Wood Process Worker; Paper & Pulp Mill Worker; Logging Assistant; ];