National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.0

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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

    Sawmill machine operators perform 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.
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