Logging Plant Operators
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Logging Plant Operators operate plants to fell trees and drag, transport and load logs onto trucks.
Specialisations: Forwarder Operator, Skidder Operator, Tree Feller Operator.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Logging Plant Operator. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in harvesting and haulage.
Tasks
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Prepares and positions plant for operation.
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Operates plant to hold, lift and cut trees.
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Operates attachments to lift, swing, release and sort trees and logs, and operates auxiliary plants such as chipping machines and log splitting machines.
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Feeds felled trees into processors to strip limbs and cut into logs and load logs onto stockpiles and into trucks.
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Keeps log tallies and writes work reports.
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Services plant and performs minor repairs.
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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Medium
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, Agricultural, Forestry & Horticultural Operators, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 95% of people employed as Logging Plant Operators work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 29 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 53 hours per week in their main job. This is 9 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 Logging Plant Operators 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 | Logging Plant Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 20.8 | 31.6 |
VIC | 20.9 | 25.6 |
QLD | 17.3 | 20.0 |
SA | 14.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 11.9 | 10.8 |
TAS | 14.2 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.6 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.3 | 1.9 |
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Around 93% of Logging Plant Operators live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Tasmania and South Australia have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- South Australia - South East
- Latrobe - Gippsland
- Bunbury
- West and North West (Tas)
- Warrnambool and South West.
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 Logging Plant Operators is 41 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 35 to 44 years.
Females make up 2% of the workforce. This is 46 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 | Logging Plant Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 1.7 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 10.1 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 23.2 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 24.1 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 23.8 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 9.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 4.5 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.1 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 41 | 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 Logging Plant Operator. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in harvesting and haulage.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation & Land Management VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Logging Plant Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.0 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 1.2 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 1.4 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 32.5 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 12.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 9.4 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 43.5 | 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 Agricultural, Forestry & Horticultural Operators who are trustworthy and responsible, can communicate with a variety of people and have good team work skills.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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55%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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50%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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46%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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43%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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43%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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41%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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39%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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39%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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37%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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36%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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36%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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34%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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32%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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32%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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32%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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30%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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30%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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29%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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29%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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27%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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63%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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40%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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34%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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33%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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32%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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30%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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24%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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20%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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20%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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19%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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18%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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18%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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17%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
15%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
-
15%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
14%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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13%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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11%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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10%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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9%
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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63%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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59%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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57%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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54%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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54%
Response orientationQuickly choose the right movement of the hand, foot, or other body part when there are two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures).
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54%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
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50%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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45%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
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43%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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43%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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41%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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41%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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39%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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39%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
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38%
Spatial orientationKnow where things are around you.
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36%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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36%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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36%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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34%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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34%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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69%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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63%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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58%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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58%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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54%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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53%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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52%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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50%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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49%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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48%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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44%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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44%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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44%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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42%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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40%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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40%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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37%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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37%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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36%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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35%
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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52%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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52%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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24%
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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86%
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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52%
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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43%
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%
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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33%
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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96%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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94%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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94%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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92%
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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92%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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92%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
91%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
-
89%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
89%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
87%
In an open vehicle or equipmentWork in an open vehicle (e.g., a tractor).
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86%
Whole body vibrationBe exposed to whole body vibration (e.g., operate a jackhammer).
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86%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
82%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
80%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
80%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
-
80%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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79%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
-
78%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
73%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
70%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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, 45-4022.00 - Logging Equipment Operators.
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.