National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.3

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943 - Machine operators and related workers in pulp and paper production and wood processing and manufacturing

This minor group includes sawmill machine operators; pulp mill machine operators; papermaking and finishing machine operators; other wood processing machine operators; paper converting machine operators; lumber graders and other wood processing inspectors and graders; and woodworking machine operators. They are employed by sawmills and planing mills; pulp and paper companies; woodrooms of pulp mills, wood treatment plants, waferboard plants and other wood processing plants; paper products manufacturing companies; and furniture, fixture and other wood products manufacturing establishments.

9431 - Sawmill machine operators

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. They are employed in sawmills and planing mills.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • circular saw operator
    • edgerman/woman
    • head sawyer
    • log cut-off operator
    • planer operator
    • resaw operator
    • shake splitter
    • trimmerman/woman

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing (See 9614 Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing)
    • Lumber graders and other wood processing inspectors and graders (See 9436 Lumber graders and other wood processing inspectors and graders)
    • Other wood processing machine operators (See 9434 Other wood processing machine operators)
    • Supervisors, forest products processing (See 9215 Supervisors, forest products processing)
    • Woodworking machine operators (See 9437 Woodworking machine operators)
  • 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 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.
  • Employment requirements

    • 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.
  • Additional information

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

9432 - Pulp mill machine operators

Pulp mill machine operators operate and monitor various types of processing machinery and equipment to produce pulp. They are employed by pulp and paper companies.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • assistant bleacher operator - pulp and paper
    • assistant digester operator
    • cook - pulp and paper
    • cook's first helper - pulp and paper
    • digester operator - pulp and paper
    • field operator - pulp and paper
    • grinderman/woman - pulp and paper
    • refiner operator - pulp and paper
    • repulper operator
    • screenman/woman - pulp and paper
    • thermomechanical pulp assistant operator
    • thermomechanical pulp operator

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing (See 9614 Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing)
    • Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators (See 9235 Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators)
    • Supervisors, forest products processing (See 9215 Supervisors, forest products processing)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Operate and monitor screening equipment, bleaching equipment, digesters, mixing tanks, washers, and other pulp processing machinery and equipment to carry out one or more cellulose processing steps
    • Observe equipment and machinery panel indicators, gauges, level indicators and other equipment instruments to detect machinery and equipment malfunctions and ensure process steps are carried out according to specifications
    • Communicate with pulping control operator to make process adjustments and start up or shut down machinery and equipment as required
    • Collect processing samples and conduct titration tests, pH readings, specific density tests and other routine tests on pulp and solutions
    • Complete and maintain production reports.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is required.
    • A college diploma in forest products processing or a related subject may be required.
    • Completion of several weeks of formal company training and several months of on-the-job training is required.
    • Previous experience as a pulp mill labourer within the same company is usually required.
    • A certificate in industrial first aid may be required.
  • Additional information

    • There is limited mobility among jobs within this occupational group.
    • Progression to pulping control operator is possible with experience.

9433 - Papermaking and finishing machine operators

Papermaking and finishing machine operators operate process machinery and equipment and assist papermaking and coating control operators to produce, coat and finish paper. They are employed by pulp and paper companies.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • assistant coating operator - pulp and paper
    • balerman/woman - pulp and paper
    • calender operator - pulp and paper
    • embossing calender operator - pulp and paper
    • fourth hand - pulp and paper
    • graderman/woman - pulp and paper
    • paper machine operator
    • paper-coating machine operator
    • sheeter operator - pulp and paper
    • winderman/woman - pulp and paper

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing (See 9614 Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing)
    • Machine operators engaged in fabricating and assembling paper products (See 9435 Paper converting machine operators)
    • Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators (See 9235 Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators)
    • Supervisors, forest products processing (See 9215 Supervisors, forest products processing)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Operate and monitor various papermaking and finishing process machinery and equipment to dry, calender, laminate, coat, slit, trim, wind or carry out other papermaking and finishing process steps
    • Mount, position and thread paper rolls using a hoist
    • Control process machinery using a distributed control system and process computers
    • Observe equipment and machinery, panel indicators, gauges, level indicators and other equipment instruments to detect machinery and equipment malfunctions and ensure process steps are carried out according to specifications
    • Communicate with and assist papermaking and coating control operators to make process adjustments and to start up or shut down process machines as required
    • Inspect paper visually for wrinkles, holes, discolouration, streaks or other defects and take corrective action
    • Complete and maintain production reports.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is required.
    • Completion of several weeks of formal company training and several months of on-the-job training is required.
    • Previous experience as a labourer within the same company is usually required.
    • A certificate in industrial first aid may be required.
    • A competency certificate in natural gas may be required.
  • Additional information

    • There is limited mobility among jobs within this occupational group.
    • Progression to papermaking and coating control operator occupations is possible with experience.

9434 - Other wood processing machine operators

Other wood processing machine operators operate and tend wood processing equipment and machines to remove bark from logs, produce wood chips, preserve and treat wood, and produce waferboards, particleboards, hardboards, insulation boards, plywood, veneers and similar wood products. They are employed in sawmills, woodrooms of pulp mills, planing mills, wood treatment plants, waferboard plants and other wood processing plants.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • barker operator
    • chipper operator
    • lumber kiln operator
    • particleboard line operator
    • plywood panel assembler
    • timber treating tank operator
    • veneer dryer tender
    • veneer lathe operator
    • waferboard press operator
    • wood treater

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing (See 9614 Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing)
    • Sawmill machine operators (See 9431 Sawmill machine operators)
    • Supervisors, forest products processing (See 9215 Supervisors, forest products processing)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Operate and tend various wood processing equipment and machines to remove bark, knots and dirt from logs; reduce logs or sawmill waste into wood chips or flakes; stack and band lumber; screen wood chips; and produce waferboards, particleboards, hardboards and insulation boards
    • Operate and tend conveyors, lathes, sanding machines and other equipment to peel and slice veneer from logs and log sections, and to glue, press, trim, sand and splice veneer sheets
    • Operate and tend kilns, treating tanks and other equipment to dry lumber and other wood products, and to treat chemically and impregnate wood products with preservatives
    • Observe equipment, panel indicators, video monitors, and other instruments to detect malfunctions and ensure that processes are operating according to specifications
    • Assemble plywood panels and repair plywood and veneer mechanically or manually
    • Start up, shut down, set up, adjust and assist in maintaining processing equipment and machines as required
    • Complete and maintain production reports.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Several months of on-the-job training are provided.
    • For lumber kiln operators, particleboard operators and waferboard operators, some combination of college or company courses and up to one year of on-the-job training may be required.
    • Previous experience as a labourer in wood processing may be required.
  • Additional information

    • There is some mobility among jobs in this unit group.
    • Progression to other positions in the wood, pulp and paper industries is possible with experience.

9435 - Paper converting machine operators

Paper converting machine operators operate various machines which fabricate and assemble paper products such as paper bags, containers, boxes, envelopes and similar articles. They are employed by paper products manufacturing companies.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • box maker operator
    • carton forming machine operator
    • core maker - paper converting
    • envelope maker operator
    • paper bag machine operator
    • paper box machine operator

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Papermaking and finishing machine operators (See 9433 Papermaking and finishing machine operators)
    • Plateless printing equipment operators (See 9471 Plateless printing equipment operators)
    • Printing press operators (See 7381 Printing press operators)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Operate machines which cut, fold, glue or clip paper and cardboard to make boxes, corrugated cartons and other articles
    • Operate machines which glue paper to cardboard and cut it into required lengths
    • Operate machines which press paper to form drinking cups and other containers
    • Operate machines which cut, glue and fold paper to make envelopes or paper bags
    • Operate other paper converting machines to form products such as paper tubes, cards, paper towels or diapers
    • Clean and lubricate machine and perform other routine machine maintenance
    • Set up machines.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is required by the pulp and paper industry and other large employers.
    • Several weeks of on-the-job training are provided.
    • Previous experience as a labourer within the same company may be required.
  • Additional information

    • There is some mobility between jobs in this occupational group.

9436 - Lumber graders and other wood processing inspectors and graders

Lumber graders and other wood processing inspectors and graders inspect and grade lumber, shingles, veneer, waferboard and similar wood products to identify defects, ensure conformance to company specifications and classify products according to industry standards. They are employed by sawmills, planing mills, wood treatment plants, waferboard plants and other wood processing companies.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • grader - wood processing
    • grader tallyman/woman - wood processing
    • lumber grader
    • particleboard grader - wood processing
    • plywood grader
    • plywood inspector
    • veneer grader
    • wood measurer

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Forest products technologists (See 2211 Chemical technologists and technicians)
    • Log scalers (See 2223 Forestry technologists and technicians)
    • Production technologists in sawmills (See 2233 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians)
    • Supervisors, forest products processing (See 9215 Supervisors, forest products processing)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    Lumber graders

    • Examine lumber visually for knots, holes, splits and other defects and sort for further drying, trimming or remanufacturing
    • Measure lumber using callipers, gauges and tape measures to ensure specified thickness, length and width
    • Classify and sort lumber according to industry standards and stamp lumber to indicate grade, wood type, moisture level and other characteristics
    • Tally lumber
    • Complete and maintain reports.

    Other wood processing inspectors and graders

    • Inspect plywood panels, veneer sheets, panelboards, shingles and similar wood products visually for knots, holes, splits, straightness and other defects
    • Mark defects and sort for repair or reprocessing
    • Measure wood products to ensure conformance to specifications using standard measuring instruments
    • Grade and label wood products according to quality standards
    • Complete and maintain inspection and grading reports.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • On-the-job training and up to two weeks of classroom training are provided for lumber graders.
    • Previous experience as a sawmill machine operator, other wood processing operator or as a labourer in wood processing is usually required for graders and inspectors in this unit group.
    • Lumber graders require a lumber grader's licence issued by a provincial lumber association.
  • Additional information

    • There is some mobility between employers processing similar wood products.

9437 - Woodworking machine operators

Woodworking machine operators set up, program and operate one or more woodworking machines to fabricate or repair wooden parts for furniture, fixtures or other wood products. They are employed in furniture, fixture and other wood products manufacturing establishments.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • boring machine operator - woodworking
    • computer numerically controlled (CNC) band saw operator
    • drill operator - woodworking
    • drum sander - woodworking
    • edge bander operator - woodworking
    • glue machine operator - woodworking
    • lathe operator - woodworking
    • planer operator - woodworking
    • rough mill operator - woodworking
    • shaper - woodworking
    • woodworking machine operator

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Cabinetmakers (See 7272 Cabinetmakers)
    • Carpenters (See 7271 Carpenters)
    • Supervisors of woodworking machine operators (See 9224 Supervisors, furniture and fixtures manufacturing)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Set up, program and operate one or more computer numerically controlled (CNC) or manual woodworking machines such as saws, moulders, lathes, routers, planers, edgers, pressing machines, shapers, drills and sanders to fabricate or repair wooden parts for furniture, fixtures and other wood products
    • Operate gluing machines to glue pieces of wood together or press and affix wood veneer to wood surfaces
    • Operate preset special-purpose woodworking machines to fabricate wood products such as coat hangers, mop handles, clothes pins and other products
    • Read and interpret specifications or follow verbal instructions
    • May clean and lubricate equipment, and replace parts as necessary.
  • Employment requirements

    • Some secondary school education is usually required.
    • On-the-job training is usually provided.
    • Experience as a labourer in the same company may be required.
  • Additional information

    • Mobility is common among jobs in this unit group.
    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
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