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Sawmill machine operators

OaSIS code 94120.00

Sawmill machine operators operate, monitor and control automated lumbermill equipment to saw timber logs into rough lumber; saw, trim and plane rough lumber into dressed lumber of various sizes; and saw or split shingles and shakes.

Overview

Also known as

  • Circular saw operator
  • Edgerman/woman
  • Head sawyer
  • Log cut-off operator
  • Planer operator
  • Resaw operator
  • Shake splitter
  • Trimmerman/woman

Main duties

This group performs some or all of 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.

Additional information

  • There is some mobility among jobs in this occupational group.
  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Supervisors, forest products processing (92014)
  • Other wood processing machine operators (94129)
  • Lumber graders and other wood processing inspectors and graders (94123)
  • Woodworking machine operators (94124)
  • Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing (95103)

Skills match:

View occupations with similar skills and abilities requirements

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

9 – Occupations in manufacturing and utilities

TEER

4 – Occupations usually require a secondary school diploma; or several weeks of on-the-job training

Major group

94 – Machine operators, assemblers and inspectors in processing, manufacturing and printing

Sub-major group

941 – Processing and manufacturing machine operators and related production workers

Minor group

9412 – Machine operators and related workers in pulp and paper production and wood processing and manufacturing

Unit group

94120 – Sawmill machine operators

Occupational profile

94120.00 – Sawmill machine operators

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Controlling Machines and Processes
4 - High Level
Handling and Moving Objects
4 - High Level
Electronic Maintenance
3 - Moderate Level
Mechanical Maintenance
3 - Moderate Level
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
3 - Moderate Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
2 - Low amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
3 - Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
1 - Very little time
Standing
Duration
5 - All the time, or almost all the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
3 - About half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
2 - Somewhat important
Frequency
2 - Once a month or more but not every week

Workplaces/employers

  • Planing mills
  • Sawmills

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Stamina
4 - High Level
Arm-Hand Steadiness
3 - Moderate Level
Auditory Attention
3 - Moderate Level
Body Flexibility
3 - Moderate Level
Control of Settings
3 - Moderate Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Operation and Control
3 - Moderate Level
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
3 - Moderate Level
Preventative Maintenance
3 - Moderate Level
Troubleshooting
3 - Moderate Level
Critical Thinking
2 - Low Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Independence
3 - Important
Stress Tolerance
3 - Important
Attention to Detail
2 - Somewhat important
Collaboration
2 - Somewhat important
Innovativeness
2 - Somewhat important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: RCI

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional (C)

Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail following sets of procedures and routines. These activities may include systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing. They often require following a clear line of authority and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas.

Investigative (I)

Investigative occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the observation and systematic or creative investigation of physical, biological, or cultural phenomena. These occupations require an extensive amount of thinking and frequently involve working with ideas, searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • College courses in wood processing technology may be required.
  • Several weeks of on-the-job training are usually provided.
  • Head sawyers and planer operators usually require several years of experience in other sawmill machine operating positions in the same company.
  • A certificate in industrial first aid may be required.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Languages
1 - Basic Level
Manufacturing, Processing and Production
1 - Basic Level
Mathematics
1 - Basic Level
Mechanics and Machinery
1 - Basic Level
Public Safety and Security
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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