Woodworking Machine Operators
On the Job
Woodworking Machine Operators operate machines such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and nailing machines.
Physical Demands
This career requires time standing, walking, or running.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
- Operate woodworking equipment.
- Feed materials or products into or through equipment.
- Maneuver workpieces in equipment during production.
- Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
- Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
- Remove accessories, tools, or other parts from equipment.
- Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
- Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications.
- Set equipment guides, stops, spacers, or other fixtures.
Typical Working Conditions
- Exposure to contaminants (like gases or odors).
- Having face-to-face discussions.
- Using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
- Working indoors in non-environmentally controlled conditions.
- Exposure to hazardous equipment.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
- Working with a group or team.
- Meeting strict deadlines.
- Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.