Tree Fallers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Tree Fallers fell trees in forests, and trim and saw them into logs.
Specialisations: Hardwood Faller, Softwood Faller.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Tree Faller. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in forestry (harvesting and haulage) or horticulture.
Tasks
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Fells and de-barks non-productive trees and thins young plantations.
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Removes major branches and tree tops, trims branches and saws trunks into logs.
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Assists with loading and transporting logs.
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Plans the felling of trees and determines the natural and intended fall of each tree.
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Clears surrounding area of saplings and debris prior to tree-felling.
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Operates and maintains manual and machine saws to fell trees and to cut felled trees into logs.
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Forestry and Logging Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 81% of people employed as Tree Fallers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 15 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 50 hours per week in their main job. This is 6 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Tree Fallers work in the Agriculture, forestry and fishing industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Tree Fallers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 27.8 | 31.6 |
VIC | 21.1 | 25.6 |
QLD | 18.8 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.1 | 7.0 |
WA | 7.2 | 10.8 |
TAS | 16.4 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.7 | 1.9 |
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Around 83% of Tree Fallers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Tasmania has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Tree Fallers is 40 years. This is the same as the all jobs average.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 3% of the workforce. This is 45 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Tree Fallers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 4.7 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 11.4 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 23.5 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 20.5 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 20.7 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 9.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.8 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.8 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 40 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Tree Faller. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in forestry (harvesting and haulage) or horticulture.
Registration or licencing may be required.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Forest and Wood Products Industry VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Tree Fallers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.7 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 1.7 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 2.2 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 28.6 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 14.8 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 6.8 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 45.2 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Forestry and Logging Workers who are reliable, hardworking and physically fit.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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43%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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41%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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39%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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37%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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36%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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36%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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36%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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36%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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36%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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34%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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34%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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34%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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32%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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30%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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30%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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29%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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27%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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21%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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20%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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51%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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39%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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29%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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28%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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27%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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24%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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21%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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21%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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20%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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19%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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19%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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18%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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15%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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14%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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13%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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11%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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10%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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10%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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10%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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8%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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64%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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61%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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55%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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55%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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55%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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54%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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54%
Speed of limb movementQuickly move the arms and legs.
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52%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
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52%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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48%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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48%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
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46%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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46%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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46%
Whole body coordinationMove your arms, legs, and body together.
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45%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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43%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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43%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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43%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
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41%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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39%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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92%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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88%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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73%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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67%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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64%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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56%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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56%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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54%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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54%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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46%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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42%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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41%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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39%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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39%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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37%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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35%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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31%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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31%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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30%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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27%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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48%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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29%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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29%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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81%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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57%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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50%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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48%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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43%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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29%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
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99%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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99%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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98%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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97%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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96%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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92%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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88%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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86%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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85%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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85%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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84%
Whole body vibrationBe exposed to whole body vibration (e.g., operate a jackhammer).
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83%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
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82%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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80%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
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77%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
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76%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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75%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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74%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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73%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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69%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 45-4021.00 - Fallers.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.