Timber Yard Operative

Introduction

Timber yard operatives load, unload and stack wood. Operatives may deal with sales to customers. In some yards, operatives are involved in kiln drying or timber treatments.

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Work Activities

Timber yard operatives handle and store timber products. They load and unload wood, possibly using side-loaders and forklift trucks, and make sure it is correctly stored. In large timber yards, the operating of loading equipment is a specialist job. All operatives tidy the yard.

In some yards, operatives (rather than specialist sales staff) handle sales to the general public or to trade customers. They may advise customers about products. Stock control, either manually or by computer, may also be part of the job.

Trained operatives may use some of the less complex cutting or sawing equipment. More specialist cutting jobs, however, are normally done by experienced wood machinists, usually working in mills.

Experienced operatives may, if they work for a timber importer or a firm specialising in timber treatments, go on to specialise in either kiln drying or timber treatment processes.

Most operatives work outdoors for part of the time, in all weather conditions. They wear protective clothing for certain operations.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You will need common sense, reliability and a responsible attitude, as you will be handling expensive and easily damaged materials. You will sometimes operate equipment requiring technical skill and an awareness of safety procedures.

You need written and verbal communication skills to deal with the public and understand instructions. You also need numeracy skills to measure timber, check prices for customers and calculate kiln drying times for various timbers.

You should be physically fit as, despite some mechanisation of the work, you have to do a lot of lifting and carrying.

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Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates for timber yard operatives vary from company to company.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Timber yard operatives earn in the range of £200 - £250 a week, rising to £290 - £380. Higher earners can make around £410 a week. Operatives usually work a 37-40 hour week, which may include shift work, evening and weekend work. Overtime may be available.

Employment throughout the UK is in timber yards ranging from the small independent retailer to large yards that are part of a regional or national chain.

Some yards mainly sell timber to other retailers and the building trade; other yards deal with the general public, while others specialise in the importing of timber.

There are also opportunities with firms specialising in timber treatment and kiln drying.

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Adult Opportunities

It is now illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Previous skills and abilities gained using your hands are helpful. Specialist skills, such as forklift truck driving, are an advantage. Warehouse or stores work is also useful.

• 7% of people in occupations such as timber yard operative work part-time.
• 8% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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