Other Wood Processing Machine Operators 

Operate wood processing equipment to remove bark from logs, produce wood chips, preserve and treat wood, and produce particleboards, plywood, veneers and similar wood products.

Main 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.

10-year Job Openings

There are 30 job openings forecasted between 2023-2032. 

Average Annual Salary

$60,000

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.