Harvesting and managing the woodlands and forests may require different types of workers. Forest workers may maintain, develop, and protect the forests by planting and growing new seedlings, assisting to control soil erosion, and fighting diseases and insects that attack trees.
Job Description
Logging and timber-cutting workers harvest thousands of acres of forests every year for the timber, which provides the raw materials for industrial products and different customers. Conservation and forest workers perform various tasks to conserve and reforest timberlands to maintain forest facilities like campsites and roads. Forest workers remove unwanted trees and diseased trees using handsaws, power saws, spray trees with fungicides and insecticides on undesirable brush to remove competing plants.
In some private industries, forest workers perform their routine tasks under the close supervision of professional foresters. Forest workers paint boundary lines, aid in measuring and marketing trees, assist with controlled burning, and keep tallies of trees counted and examined. Forest workers who serve in local and state government need to clear away debris and brush, roadsides, camp trails, and camping areas.
Some of the forest workers may deal with the works like cleaning kitchens and rooms at campgrounds and facilities. Some conservation and forest workers serve in forest nurseries. They sort out tree seedlings and dispose of those not fulfilling standards of stem development, root formation, and condition of foliage. Many forest workers are hired on tree farms where they cultivate, plant, and harvest a variety of trees. Their responsibilities differ with the nature of work and type of farm.
Forest workers who work on specialty farms such as ornamental tress for nurseries or farms growing Christmas are accountable for shearing limbs and treetops to manage the growth of trees under their care. Additionally, these workers duties may comprise spraying and seedlings to harvest the trees and control surrounding insects and weed growth.
The job of logging workers is to cut and haul trees in large quantities. The logging and timber-cutting process is performed by a logging crew. A crew may include one bucker to cut logs, one tree harvesting machine operator, two tree fallers, one equipment operator, and two logging skidder operators. These workers work together to carry out their tasks effectively.
A logging equipment operator uses tree harvesters to cut the logs into appropriate lengths, shear the limbs, and fell the trees. They operate a self-propelled machine which is known as forwarders or skidders. This machine is used to drag, move, and transport logs from the felling site to the specific area for loading. There are some advanced logging equipment that are handled by skilled operators.
Work Environment
Logging and forestry jobs are physically demanding. Forest workers need to spend ample amount of time outdoors. They require carrying out their tasks in all kind of weathers. Sometimes, they require working in isolated areas. The increasing use of advanced equipment and machines had made forestry tasks much safer and easier. Forest workers may have to commute long distances between their homes and logging sites. However in some states, traveling distances are relatively shorter.
Many logging professions involve climbing, lifting, moving, and other exhausting activities; however, arrival of advanced machinery has minimized some heavy labor. Generally, loggers and forest workers perform their tasks under unusually hazardous conditions. Falling vines, branches, and rough terrain are steady hazards as there are changes associated with log-handling operations and tree-felling.
Forest workers and loggers have to take care during strong winds may even stop the progress of logging operations. Muddy or slippery ground and hidden roots may lessen efficiency and present a danger, especially, in the presence of moving machinery and vehicles. Brambles, poisonous plants, snakes, insects, humidity, extreme cold, and heat are daily occurrences where loggers perform the tasks.
Loggers have to use hearing protection devices on logging operations to avoid high noise level of skidding and felling operations. Forest workers have to be very careful and use appropriate safety equipment and measures such as hard boots, hardhats, safety clothing, and ear and eye protection to reduce the risk of injury. Generally, the work of conservation and forest workers is much less dangerous than those of loggers.
Training and Educational Qualification
Usually, a high school diploma is required to into conservation, forest, and logging occupations. Some of the forest worker jobs offer only seasonal employment during warm weather. Many employers offer on-the-job training where new workers are accustomed to the dangers and characters of the forest environment. Novice workers are taught how to deal with logging equipment and machinery.
Logging workers are given special training in some advanced machinery to carry out the tasks efficiently. There are many logging associations and state forestry providing training sessions for tree fallers. These training sessions may be organized in the field where trainees under the close direction of a skilled logger have an opportunity to demonstrate various felling techniques. Fallers are taught how to manually cut down expensive or large trees safely.