FIBERGLASS LAY-UP WORKERS (LAMINATORS) California Occupational Guide Number 288 Interest Area 6 1995
TRENDS
Many manufacturers have turned to using synthetics because of their many desirable qualities. Glass-fiber laminated products, which have the tensile strength of most metals of comparable thickness, are used for custom automobile bodies, countertops, plumbing fixtures, boat hulls, safety shields, protective headgear, aircraft and missile components, sports equipment, and numerous other products.
THE JOB
FIBERGLASS LAY-UP WORKERS are responsible for the efficient construction and repair of the above mentioned products. They may also be known as reinforced plastics laminators or preforms laminators.
Fiberglass Lay-up Workers (laminators) use both hand and power tools to construct, shape, or repair laminated products of glass-fiber fabric or mats. In manufacturing new items, they check all dies, templates, and cutout patterns to be used in the manufacturing process with dimensional data, photographs, blueprints, samples, or customer specifications. Repair work or modification of a glass-fiber part requires laminators to check thickness, density, and contour of the damaged or defective part to assure a close fit.
Each mold must be checked to make certain that all excess moisture has been removed from it. After carefully preparing the surface of the mold with lacquer and wax, lay-up workers mask off areas of the mold which are not to be laminated. Masking materials include cellophane, wax paper, masking tape, or special sprays containing a mold release substance. They select glass- fiber fabric or mats and then cut and shape the material to prevent puckers, pockets, or wrinkles from forming. Plastic resin is applied to the mold and the fabric is spread onto it. The cloth is patted or pressed into place by hand or brush. Another layer of plastic resin is applied and the process is repeated until the product has the desired thickness and the plastic has jelled. Before the laminated material has completely set, lay-up workers trim all edges.
They cure the material by either letting it set at room temperature, placing it under a heat lamp, or baking in an oven. When the material is cured, lay- up workers trim it further by sawing with diamond-impregnated cutoff wheels and finish rough edges by machine or hand sanding. They check the completed product for conformance with specifications and for defects by measuring with ruler or micrometer, by visual inspection, and by tapping to detect bubbles or dead spots.
Another process for constructing glass-fiber products is called "flocking". To use this process, laminators operate a special "chopper" gun to blow "roving" (chopped glass fiber) along with resin onto or into prepared molds or dies.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Fiberglass Lay-up Workers in most establishments are subject to irritation from fine glass-fiber dust from grinding or cutting operations, and toxic fumes or unpleasant odors from resins and catalysts. They often must wear respirators to filter out toxic fumes. Depending upon the lay-out of work areas, some shops are quiet while others are noisy. Workers may also be subjected to heat from heat lamps and ovens.
Lay-up workers often work in difficult positions. While doing lay-up work at lay-up tables or benches, they may stand for extended periods on concrete floors. Jobs too large for the lay-up table involve kneeling, bending, stooping, and extended reaching.
The laminating industry generally does not have an independent labor organization to act as a bargaining agent. In some areas, workers in this occupation are represented by the dominant union in the plant.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The use of glass-fiber lamination is expected to continue to grow moderately, corresponding with the economy in California and the demand for consumer products such as boats, automotive equipment, furniture, household appliances, and various new products. Fiberglass is also used extensively in the electronics and aerospace industries. Fully-qualified fiberglass workers are sometimes in demand in the larger manufacturing areas, and are also needed in small non-manufacturing communities to repair automobile bodies, furniture, pleasure boats, and other products.
The following information is from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division. These figures represent the broad occupational group Hand Workers, Not Elsewhere Classified, which includes Fiberglass Lay-up Workers (Laminators).
Estimated number of workers in 1990 47,870 Estimated number of workers in 2005 57,900 Projected Growth Percentage 21% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 15,610
(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)
Lay-up workers work in a variety of industries, and generally in relatively small firms. Both fully-qualified and trainee fiberglass workers are expected to remain in moderate demand over the next few years.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
The wage scale and hours vary and are often determined by the type of industry or product. The beginning rate of pay is usually about $5.00 an hour. Experienced workers earn from $7.50 to $18.00 an hour depending on the complexity of the work. Other methods of compensation include a combination of minimum wage plus piecework pay or minimum wage plus piecework pay or piecework pay only. And depending on the size of the product and complexity of work, piecework pay can be $100 or $200 per piece. The normal workweek is 40 hours, although some overtime may occur.
Fringe benefits range from none or minimal to varying combinations of paid holiday and vacation, sick leave, retirement plan, and group health and life insurance coverage.
Firms manufacturing swimming pools, pleasure boats, and automobile bodies usually experience a slack period during some winter months.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
Many employers select applicants with high school or vocational school background, and prefer them to have some mechanical and mathematical ability. An understanding of chemistry is also helpful because the correct mixing of chemicals can be an important part of the job. Beginning workers must possess a willingness to learn and work, be able to read and write, have good manual dexterity, and maintain good attendance.
In some locales, the usual practice is for employers to hire inexperienced workers and provide on-the-job training. In other areas, vocational school and community college courses in fiberglass lay-up work are the best preparation for the beginner in this occupation.
ADVANCEMENT
Employers often advance lay-up workers by increasing their wages according to production, improvement shown in the work, and by the amount of experience workers have. In some of the larger establishments, the line of promotion is from production work to foreman. Individuals possessing the personality and qualifications, and a good understanding of the manufacturer's marketable products may progress to the sales department.
Employees in the small two-to-ten worker shops may have little chance for advancement beyond the production or manufacturing process. Self-employment opportunities are sometimes provided by the need for modification or repair of fiberglass products in outlying neighborhoods or in smaller communities.
FINDING THE JOB
Persons interested in fiberglass lay-up work may obtain work by applying directly to employers, college or vocational school placement offices, private employment agencies, or by registering for work with the California Employment Development Department.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Composites Fabricators Association 1735 N. Lynn St., Suite. 950 Arlington, VA. 22209 (703) 524-3332
SPI Composites Institute 355 Lexington Avenue New York, NY. 10017 (212) 351-5410
Fiberglass Petroleum Tank and Pipe Institute 3131 Executive Pkwy. Toledo, OH. 43606-1327 (419) 535-3885
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed. Rev. 1) Laminator, Preforms 754.684-050 Fiberglass Laminator 806.684-054
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Assemblers & Fabricators, except Machine, Electrical,
Electronic and Precision 939560
Hand Workers, NEC 939990
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
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