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ESCO occupation

wood drying kiln operator

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Wood drying kiln operators control the process of applying heat to moist or 'green' wood in order to obtain usable dry wood. Depending on the type of kiln, the drying operator will be responsible for moving the wood into and out of the kiln, temperature control, and ventilation.

7521.1 ISCO 7521 ESCO source
Competences
42
Groups
4
Essential
19
Optional
23

Competences and skills

42 ESCO relations
Essential knowledge 6 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

3 competences
construction products

The offered construction materials, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

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timber products

Key features, advantages and limitations of the different timbers and timber based products sold at a company and where to access this information.

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wood products

The various wood products such as lumber and furniture, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

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Cross-sector

3 competences
kiln types

Kiln characteristics, operation and types such as periodic kilns, updraft kilns, downdraft kilns, sprung arch kilns, or catenary arch kilns.

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types of wood

Types of wood, such as birch, pine, poplar, mahogany, maple and tulipwood.

green
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wood moisture content

The amount of water contained in wood materials. The effect of wood moisture on the size and physical characteristics of the wood. Suitable moisture contents for different uses.

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Essential skills and competences 13 competences

Occupation specific

2 competences
identify drying defects in wood

Identify a range of possible drying defects in wood and their mutual causes.

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prepare kiln schedules

Prepare kiln schedules, which consist of predetermining a set of temperatures and humidity conditions for different periods or stages of drying.

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Sector-specific

6 competences
apply wood kiln drying technologies

Dry timber stacks with modern and dated kiln technologies, such as dehumidification, solar, vacuum and conventional drying.

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dry wood

Adjust machine settings to adapt drying processes, drying times, and special treatments to the requirements of the requested wood to be dried.

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load materials into furnace

Load materials in furnace with correct positioning, fastening and levelling when needed.

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manage kiln ventilation

Managing a product specific and energy efficient kiln ventilation.

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measure furnace temperature

Monitor the product temperature using the available tools and measuring instruments and adjust furnace temperature if needed.

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stack timber

Stack and align timber in neat and separate layers to make it ready for kiln drying.

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Cross-sector

5 competences
acclimatise timber

Acclimatise wooden materials to make sure they will not change size after installation, which may cause damage or produce an otherwise inadequate result. Leave the material in climatic circumstances very similar to those in the location where they will be used. Allow several days for the wood to acclimatise, depending on the type and circumstances.

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control kiln firing

Control and monitor the kiln so that it fires ware (greenware or deorations) according to specified thickness and hardness.

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handle timber

Identify the main types of timber and timber-based products to be received at a company. Stack and store timber and timber-based products safely and in compliance with company procedures.

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heat materials

Put the materials in an oven and heat them for a certain amount of time and to a specific temperature to shape or cure the material.

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wear appropriate protective gear

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

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Optional knowledge 3 competences

Occupation specific

1 competence
methods of drying timber

Be acquainted with methods of chamber drying timber, such as air and artificial drying.

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Sector-specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Cross-sector

2 competences
industrial heating systems

Heating systems fuelled by gas, wood, oil, biomass, solar power, and other reneable energy sources and their energy saving principles, applicable specifically to industrial buildings and facilities.

green
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ventilation systems

The types of mechanical ventilation systems that permits the exchange and circulation of air.

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Optional skills and competences 20 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

7 competences
assess felled timber quality

Evaluate felled timbers by measuring and assessing volume and quality using appropriate methods and tools.

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assess felled timber volume

Measure the amount of timber felled using appropriate equipment. Take care of the equipment. Record the measured data.

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manage timber stocks

Inspect the stock to find out how much is left. Identify any damaged, faulty, or out of date items and move them to the appropriate location. Follow stock rotation methods to ensure stock is used effectively. Handle goods using safe and approved handling methods.

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measure parts of manufactured products

Operate measurement instruments to measure parts of manufactured objects. Take into consideration specifications of manufacturers to perform the measuring.

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monitor storage space

Supervise and organise the area in which products are stored.

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move treated wood

Unload, prepare and move freshly treated wood to an appropriate post-treatment drying area.

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prepare wood production reports

Prepare reports on wood technology production and progressive development of wood based materials.

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Cross-sector

13 competences
clean equipment

Perform cleaning routines after equipment use.

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distinguish wood quality

Distinguish different types of wood quality schemes, grading rules, and standards. See how quality differs between certain kinds of wood, such as hardwoods and softwoods.

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drive timber piles

Use any of various types of pile drivers to drive piles made of timber into the ground for structure stabilisation purposes. Take care to position the pile and pile driver correctly and apply the correct amount of force to drive the pile while preventing damage and physical stresses.

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identify hazards in the workplace

Perform safety audits and inspections on workplaces and workplace equipment. Ensure that they meet safety regulations and identify hazards and risks.

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inspect quality of products

Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.

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keep records of work progress

Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.

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monitor gauge

Oversee the data presented by a gauge concerning the measurement of pressure, temperature, thickness of a material, and others.

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operate forklift

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

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operate grappler

Operate a hydraulic grappler, an attachment to heavy machinery used to grab and manipulate cylindrical objects such as trees or pipes. Lift up the object, safely manoeuvre it, and set it down in the desired position.

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perform kiln maintenance

Perform small maintenance tasks on drawing kiln such as replacing the cooling pads of the jacket and plugging in the kiln with mortar.

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record production data for quality control

Keep records of the machine's faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.

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report defective manufacturing materials

Maintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.

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work as a team in a hazardous environment

Work together with others in a dangerous, sometimes noisy, environment, such as a building on fire or metal forging facilities, in order to achieve a higher degree of efficiency while heeding the co-workers' safety.

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