About This Career

Sets up, operates, or tends wood sawing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment.

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster Production pathway.

A person in this career:

• Inspects and measures workpieces to mark for cuts and to verify the accuracy of cuts, using rulers, squares, or caliper rules.
• Adjusts saw blades, using wrenches and rulers, or by turning handwheels or pressing pedals, levers, or panel buttons.
• Mounts and bolts sawing blades or attachments to machine shafts.
• Sets up, operates, or tends saws or machines that cut or trim wood to specified dimensions, such as circular saws, band saws, multiple-blade sawing machines, scroll saws, ripsaws, or crozer machines.
• Inspects stock for imperfections or to estimate grades or qualities of stock or workpieces.
• Monitors sawing machines, adjusting speed and tension and clearing jams to ensure proper operation.
• Sharpens blades, or replaces defective or worn blades or bands, using hand tools.
• Guides workpieces against saws, saws over workpieces by hand, or operates automatic feeding devices to guide cuts.
• Clears machine jams, using hand tools.
• Lubricates or cleans machines, using wrenches, grease guns, or solvents.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 20 lbs., sometimes up to 50 lbs. You might do a lot of lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling.
• Work in this occupation involves bending or twisting your body more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Exposure to pollutants, gases, dust, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, etc.
• Conditions are very hot (above 90 F) or very cold (under 32 F)
• Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
• Exposed to hazardous equipment such as saws, machinery, or vehicular traffic more than once a month
• Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting
• Work in this occupation involves making repetitive motions more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Judging how far away an object is, or which of several objects is closer or farther away
• Seeing clearly at a distance
• Seeing clearly up close
• Exerting oneself physically over long periods of time without getting out of breath
• Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying objects
• Using abdominal and lower back muscles repeatedly or over time without tiring

Work Hours and Travel

• Regular working hours and limited travel