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Sawmill Operator - Working conditions

Kaimahi Whare Kani Papa

Working Conditions

Sawmill operators work in sawmills and timber yards. They may work in noisy and dusty conditions.

Logs travel down conveyor belts in sawmills to be processed by sawmill operators

Freshly cut pieces of timber on a conveyer belt.

Sawmill operators trim and cut logs to specific standards

Equipment

Equipment sawmill operators may use includes:

sawing machinery
computer-controlled machinery
wood processing machinery
kilns
log loaders and fork-lifts
crayons or chalk to mark timber for grading
protective clothing and safety equipment such as earmuffs, safety glasses and steel-capped boots
chainsaws
callipers and measuring tapes.

"They really push safety at our sawmill, especially wearing safety glasses, hearing protection and protective clothing."

David Parata - Sawmill Operator

Hours

Sawmill operators work regular hours and may do shift work. They usually work between 40 and 50 hours a week and there may be opportunities to work overtime.