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This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Cable yarding system operators

• Operate machines to transport trees from logging areas to landing or log loading sites in mountainous terrain in western Canada.

Mechanical harvester and forwarder operators

• Assess site and terrain and drive heavy equipment to perform a combination of felling, slashing, bucking, bunching and forwarding operations at logging areas.

Mechanical tree processor and loader operators

• Operate a variety of machines which perform a combination of slashing, bucking, chipping, sorting and loading logs or trees at landing sites.

• Feller buncher operators and cable yarder operators usually require three to five years of logging experience.
• Mechanical tree processor and loader operators usually require one to three years of logging experience.
• Company certification for mobile logging machinery operation may be required.
• Workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) and first aid certificates may be required.
• Completion of secondary school may be required.
• Mechanical harvester and forwarder operators may require logging experience as a chain saw and skidder operator.
• Experience requirements vary depending on the complexity of machinery operated.
• Certification as a heavy equipment operator may be required.
• Provincial air brake certification may be required in British Columbia, depending on the type of equipment operated.
• Knowledge of tree harvesting regulations is required.
• On-the-job training from three to 16 months is provided, depending on the complexity of machinery operated and the type of woodlands operation.

• Logging machinery operators may perform minor repairs and maintenance on their equipment.
• Progression to logging and forestry supervisory positions is possible with experience.
• Self-employment as a logging contractor is possible with investment in equipment.
• There is some mobility among jobs in this group from the less complex to more complex machinery operation.
• There is some mobility between employers, particularly in similar types of woodland operations.

• Chain saw and skidder operators (84110)
• Heavy equipment operators (73400)
• Silviculture and forestry workers (84111)
• Supervisors, logging and forestry (82010)
• Transport truck drivers (73300)