SAWMILL OCCUPATIONS California Occupational Guide Number 259 Interest Area 5-C 1995
THE JOB
The wood products industry is one of California's most important, employing thousands of workers, and producing products used in tens of thousands of other businesses, ranging from home building to cabinet making. In addition, sawmills, which are often located in small towns far from metropolitan areas, are often the largest employer in the area.
Both workers and machinery set a rapid pace in the sawmill. This guide covers the more common occupations in the industry.
The quantity and quality of usable lumber obtained from logs depends largely on the skill of the Head Sawyer. Using a circular saw, a band saw, or a gang saw, the Head Sawyer operates the controls of the saw carriage which carries the log into the teeth of the saw. Head Sawyers look for the most valuable lumber (highest grade) and they try to avoid defects in the log being cut. The Resaw Operator, similar in general to the Head Sawyer, sets guides on and operates saws to make the first-cut boards perfectly square.
The Edger's primary function is to produce boards with parallel sides and to remove the wane or rounded bark edges from the boards as they come from the head saw.
Lumber Graders examine milled or rough-sawed lumber and sort it according to designated standards. They examine lumber as it passes on a conveyor belt for such defects as splits, knots, faulty edges, stains, and unsatisfactory machine work. Graders mark each board with the grade as determined by the standards established by the industry. These workers often keep a tally of specified grades and board footage required to fill an order. This position is rapidly becoming obsolete due to robotics and computerized grading procedures.
Chain Offbearers physically pull lumber from a moving conveyor coming from various lumber processing points in a saw or planing mill. They slide and stack the lumber in piles, sorting them according to the lumber grade marked on each piece of lumber. These workers are also known as green-chain offbearers.
Lumber Handling Equipment Operators, also known as the lift operator and the carrier drivers, is responsible for moving logs and finished wood products in the lumber yards and mills. Equipment used for this activity includes a conventional fork lift and a log lift equipped with tongs to grasp the logs. Millwrights work to keep the conveyors, dryers, and other wood processing equipment adjusted and in running order. These workers are primarily maintenance mechanics and are responsible for heading off trouble before it happens. Usually at the beginning and midpoint of each shift, Millwrights routinely inspect the machines in their care for signs of wear or trouble. They lubricate equipment or assure that this is done by an oiler or other worker, and tighten loose bolts. They also spend some part of each day replacing heavy chain links or making adjustments or repairs on equipment.
General Sawmill Workers, also called laborers, must be available and trained to operate at any work station that needs to be relieved. These workers begin their duties an hour before the day's operations start. With an air pressure hose and nozzle they clear away sawdust, bark, and slash left in working areas by the preceding shift so they can lubricate bearings and friction surfaces of all machines and accessories. They may also assist in replacing dull saws before a shift begins.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Large, permanent, modern mills are completely enclosed except for the entrance area for logs. The general environment is noisy, dusty and artificially illuminated. Steam-powered equipment, along with the sap and any water collected in the log pond, produces a humid atmosphere despite exhaust fans.
Sawmill occupations are considered hazardous. The workers are exposed to flying chips and splinters or falling boards. A piece of rock imbedded in a board can cause a saw to disintegrate into flying projectiles. Flash fires are another hazard due to the resinous sawdust that could ignite. Gloves, face shields, leather aprons, and steel-toed shoes are some of the safety clothing and equipment worn by the sawmill workers. The more costly equipment is usually furnished by the employer.
Sawmill workers often belong to the Lumber and Sawmill Workers Union, an affiliate of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (AFL-CIO), or the International Woodworkers of America (AFL-CIO).
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The following information is from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division. It includes the occupations head sawyer, millwrights, sawing machine operators and tenders, and industrial truck and tractor operators.
Estimated number of workers in 1990 44,000 Estimated number of workers in 2005 53,220 Projected Growth 1990-2005 21% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 15,920
(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)
A variety of factors have created a bleak employment outlook for the California lumber industry. Many wood and wood product mills have closed down, with Shasta, Humboldt and Mendocino Counties especially hard hit.
WAGES, HOURS & FRINGE BENEFITS
Wages vary depending upon whether the sawmill is covered by a union contract, and where it is located.
Chain Offbearer $11.43 - 12.41/hr. Edger Operator $13.46 - 15.04/hr. Grader $11.58 - 14.46/hr. Head Sawyer $16.23 - 17.54/hr. Lumb Hndling Equip Op $12.33 - 13.34/hr. Millwright $12.60 - 14.87/hr. Resaw Operator $12.38 - 14.20/hr.
A 40 hour work week, with time and one half for overtime, is usual. During peak seasons, employees may work 48 hours a week or more, with a full shift on Saturday. Night shift workers usually receive additional pay .
Fringe benefits usually include major medical insurance, pension provisions and paid vacations, depending on the number of years of service.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
Employers vary in the amount of experience they require of sawmill workers, but because of the depressed state of the industry at the time of publication, workers with at least three or more years experience will have the best chance of getting hired.
Generally it is easiest to enter this type of work as a laborer and learn the basic functions and operations of the mill. A high school diploma and a background in mechanical and woodworking shop classes could be very helpful for those applying at the entry level. Good manual dexterity and confidence around a machinery is required. Also, reasoning ability, the ability to work with others, and safety awareness are all important requirements throughout the sawmill.
ADVANCEMENT
Seniority and experience is the key to advancement in this field, and workers will need both to advance. Newly-hired employees with little or no experience usually begin as a sawmill worker or laborer, progress to Chain Offbearer, Resaw Operator, Edger Operator, and Head Sawyer through promotion and job bidding. Occasionally Millwrights are hired from other industries, but they must demonstrate mechanical maintenance experience and ability. Likewise, Lumber Handling Equipment Operator positions can be filled by applicants with forklift experience.
FINDING THE JOB
Jobs are hard to find. Persons should apply directly to the mills or through the appropriate union. Persons seeking apprenticeship training may start by contacting the appropriate union, firms, or by contacting the field offices of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Western Wood Products Association 522 S.W. Fifth Avenue Portland, Oregon 97204-2122 (503) 224-3930
American Forest & Paper Association 1250 Connecticut Avenue N.W., Suite. 320 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-2455
International Woodworkers of America AFL-CIO 25 Cornell Avenue Gladstone, Oregon 97027 (503) 656-1475
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Logging Occupations No. 102
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1) Millwright 638.281-018 Head Sawyer 667.662-010 Sawmill Worker 667.686-018 Chain Offbearer 669.686-018 Grader 669.687.030 Industrial Truck Operator 921.683-050
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Millwrights 851230 Head Sawyers 923050 Sawing Machine Operators & Tenders 923080 Industrial Truck & Tractor Operators 979470
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
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