# Tasks & work activities — debarker operator

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 51-7041.00 (Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood) — manual nearest-occupation mapping via ISCO group 8172; the official ESCO crosswalk has no entry for this ESCO occupation.

## Task statements

- **[Core]** Adjust saw blades, using wrenches and rulers, or by turning handwheels or pressing pedals, levers, or panel buttons.
- **[Core]** Inspect and measure workpieces to mark for cuts and to verify the accuracy of cuts, using rulers, squares, or caliper rules.
- **[Supplemental]** Examine logs or lumber to plan the best cuts.
- **[Core]** Set up, operate, or tend 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.
- **[Core]** Inspect stock for imperfections or to estimate grades or qualities of stock or workpieces.
- **[Supplemental]** Operate panelboards of saw or conveyor systems to move stock through processes or to cut stock to specified dimensions.
- **[Core]** Mount and bolt sawing blades or attachments to machine shafts.
- **[Core]** Monitor sawing machines, adjusting speed and tension and clearing jams to ensure proper operation.
- **[Supplemental]** Select saw blades, types or grades of stock, or cutting procedures to be used, according to work orders or supervisors' instructions.
- **[Core]** Guide workpieces against saws, saw over workpieces by hand, or operate automatic feeding devices to guide cuts.
- **[Supplemental]** Adjust bolts, clamps, stops, guides, or table angles or heights, using hand tools.
- **[Core]** Sharpen blades, or replace defective or worn blades or bands, using hand tools.
- **[Supplemental]** Count, sort, or stack finished workpieces.
- **[Core]** Lubricate or clean machines, using wrenches, grease guns, or solvents.
- **[Core]** Clear machine jams, using hand tools.
- **[Supplemental]** Dispose of waste material after completing work assignments.
- **[Supplemental]** Measure and mark stock for cuts.
- **[Supplemental]** Examine blueprints, drawings, work orders, or patterns to determine equipment set-up or selection details, procedures to be used, or dimensions of final products.
- **[Supplemental]** Trim lumber to straighten rough edges or remove defects, using circular saws.
- **[Supplemental]** Position and clamp stock on tables, conveyors, or carriages, using hoists, guides, stops, dogs, wedges, or wrenches.
- **[Supplemental]** Cut grooves, bevels, or miters, saw curved or irregular designs, and sever or shape metals, according to specifications or work orders.
- **[Supplemental]** Unclamp and remove finished workpieces from tables.

## Detailed work activities

- Clean production equipment.
- Clear equipment jams.
- Count finished products or workpieces.
- Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing.
- Dispose of trash or waste materials.
- Inspect lumber or raw woodstock.
- Lubricate production equipment.
- Maneuver workpieces in equipment during production.
- Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
- Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators.
- Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
- Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
- Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
- Operate cutting equipment.
- Operate woodworking equipment.
- Position raw materials on processing or production equipment.
- Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
- Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
- Replace worn equipment components.
- Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
- Select production equipment according to product specifications.
- Select production input materials.
- Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications.
- Set equipment guides, stops, spacers, or other fixtures.
- Shape metal workpieces with hammers or other small hand tools.
- Sharpen cutting or grinding tools.
- Sort materials or products for processing, storing, shipping, or grading.
- Stack finished items for further processing or shipment.
- Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements.
- Trim excess material from workpieces.