Sawmill operator jobs in Finland
Sawmill operators work with automated lumber mill equipment which saws timber into rough lumber. They also handle various sawing machines which further process the lumber in various shapes and sizes. These processes are nowadays often computer controlled.
Sawmill operator – how much is the pay in Finland?
What the trade paid in 2024
| Median | 17.77 €/h |
|---|---|
| Bottom tenth | 13.65 €/h |
| Top tenth | 22.28 €/h |
| Employees | 5,662 |
Pay by sex, 2024
| Sex | Median | Employees |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 17.77 €/h | 765 |
| Men | 17.77 €/h | 4,897 |
Sawmill operator - Which skills are essential?
Steps in the processing of wood for the manufacturing of wooden articles and types of machines used for these processes such as drying, shaping, assembling and surface finishing.
The variety of cutting technologies, such as software or mechanics, guiding cutting processes through lasering, sawing, milling etc.
Evaluate which deficient processed workpieces do not meet the set-up standard and should be removed and sort the waste according to regulations.
Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
Remove individual workpieces after processing, from the manufacturing machine or the machine tool. In case of a conveyor belt this involves quick, continuous movement.
Manipulate the properties, shape and size of wood.
Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.
Dispose of possibly hazardous waste material created in the cutting process, such as swarf, scrap and slugs, sort according to regulations, and clean up workplace.
Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
Continuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.
Adjust cut sizes and depths of cutting tools. Adjust heights of worktables and machine-arms.
Draw up plans to show how the material will be cut into functional pieces to minimise loss of material.
Make sure sawing equipment is always in good and safe working condition. Inspect the equipment for defects. Replace defective or worn-out elements in accordance with guidelines. Store elements safely when not in use. Notify the responsible party in case of large or dangerous defects.
Identify the main types of timber based products to be received at your company. Stack and store timber based products safely and in compliance with company procedures.
Ensure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.
Different ways of cutting wood, across the grain or parallel with it, and radial or tangential to the core. The behaviour of cuts of wood under different circumstances and the optimal cut for a given purpose. Influence of special attributes of the wood, like knots or defects.
Identify the main types of timber to be received at your company. Stack and store timber safely and in compliance with company procedures.
Ensure that the assembled products are conform to the specifications given.
Operate various machinery and equipment to cut wood in different sizes and shapes.
Sawmill operator - Which skills are useful but not essential?
Various sawing techniques for using manual as well as electric saws.
Operate a crosscut saw to make manual cuts.
Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
Distinguish different kinds of table saws, such as benchtop table saws, contractor table saws, cabinet table saws, and hybrid table saws.
Keep records of the machine's faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.
Operate a band saw, an industrial saw that features a continuous flexible blade revolving around two or more wheels.
Be acquainted with the use of different kinds of crosscut saws, which consist mainly of felling and bucking saws.
Operate measurement instruments to measure parts of manufactured objects. Take into consideration specifications of manufacturers to perform the measuring.
Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
The various tools used to process wood, such as planers, chisels and lathes.
Replace the old blade of a sawing machine with a new one by removing the chip brush, taking away the front blade guide, loosening the blade tension and removing the blade. Assemble and install new blade by replacing the front blade guide, installing the chip brush, replacing the blade cover and adjusting blade tension.
Perform safety audits and inspections on workplaces and workplace equipment. Ensure that they meet safety regulations and identify hazards and risks.
Check machinery and equipment to ensure reliable performance during use and operations in worksites.
Pack different kinds of goods such as finished manufactured products or goods in use. Pack goods by hand in boxes, bags and other types of containers.
Mechanical systems, including gears, engines, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Their functions and likely defects.
Offer help and advice to service technicians in case of machine malfunctions and other repair tasks.
Prepare a comprehensive and unbiased report on wood technology production and progressive development of wood based materials.
Handle automated or non-automated industrial wood routers, which feature a routing head that moves over the wood, going up and down to regulate the depth of the incision.
Read and interpret such technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.
Check the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.
Feed wood materials into the thickness planer, after which a surfaced board is retrieved. Avoid 'sniping' by using an additional piece of wood with the same thickness.
Types of cutting blades used in the sawing process, such as band saw blades, crosscut blades, plytooth blades and others, made from tool steel, carbide, diamond or other materials.
Set up the desired product design in the CNC controller of the CNC machine for product manufacturing.
Handle an industrial table saw, which cuts with a rotating circular blade built into a table. Set the height of the saw to control the depth of the cut. Pay particular attention to safety, as factors such as natural stresses within the wood may produce unpredictable forces.
Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.