Profession wood pallet maker

Wood pallet makers create wood pallets for use in storage, shipping and manipulation of goods. Pallet makers operate a machine that takes in usually low-grade softwood planks treated with heat or chemicals and nails them together. The material and shape of the pallets, the treatment methods, and the number and pattern of nails used are all highly standardised to make exchange of used pallets possible.

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Personality Type

  • Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

  • Pallet dimensions

    The standardization and regulation of the different dimensions of pallets, such as ISO pallets, North American pallets or European pallets.

  • Quality standards

    The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.

  • Types of pallets

    The structure, properties and use of the two main types of pallets: stringer and block pallets.

Skills

  • Remove inadequate workpieces

    Evaluate which deficient processed workpieces do not meet the set-up standard and should be removed and sort the waste according to regulations.

  • Ensure conformity to specifications

    Ensure that the assembled products are conform to the specifications given.

  • Monitor conveyor belt

    Monitor the flow of the work pieces on the conveyor belt as they are processed by the machine to ensure optimal productivity.

  • Perform test run

    Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.

  • Work safely with machines

    Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.

  • Supply machine

    Ensure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.

  • Wear appropriate protective gear

    Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.

  • Set up the controller of a machine

    Set up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.

  • Operate forklift

    Operate a forklift, a vehicle with a pronged device in front for lifting and carrying heavy loads.

  • Remove processed workpiece

    Remove individual workpieces after processing, from the manufacturing machine or the machine tool. In case of a conveyor belt this involves quick, continuous movement.

  • Monitor automated machines

    Continuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.

  • Dispose of cutting waste material

    Dispose of possibly hazardous waste material created in the cutting process, such as swarf, scrap and slugs, sort according to regulations, and clean up workplace.

  • Conform to health and safety regulations

    Carry out all work in accordance with relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements and company policies. Take the necessary health and safety precautions during work including posture the body well, safely operate tools and machinery, and wear the right clothes and protection for the climate.

  • Troubleshoot

    Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.

Optional knowledge and skills

operate nailing machinery record production data for quality control prepare production reports operate thickness planer machine replace sawing blade on machine pallets loading woodworking processes stack empty pallets operate nail gun inspect quality of products conduct routine machinery checks check quality of raw materials consult technical resources types of wood heat materials keep records of work progress inspect machinery perform machine maintenance carry out measurements of parts identify hazards in the workplace operate wood sawing equipment produce customised products

Common job titles

  • Account manager
  • Carpenter / woodworker
  • Computer aided drafting (cad)/laser operator
  • Clerk bakery-shop 'n save-wood river