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Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7523

Wood pallet maker

A wood pallet maker is a person who produces the wooden pallets used for storing, transporting and moving goods.

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Rate 5 of the 16 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

operate forklift

remove inadequate workpieces

troubleshoot

remove processed workpiece

perform test run

About wood pallet maker

The machine does the nailing. The maker operates the machine that joins boards with nails, works at the control panel to set it for the pallet being built, and runs test pieces before a batch. The boards are low-grade softwood treated with heat or with chemical products, and the maker monitors the conveyor that feeds them in, intervening when a board jams, splits or is fed the wrong way round.

The material, the shape of the pallet, the treatment methods and the number and type of nails are fully standardised, so that a worn pallet can be exchanged for another anywhere in the chain. The maker therefore keeps to exact pallet dimensions, so that pallets fit warehouse racking and vehicle load spaces.

Automatic machines are monitored throughout, and problems are solved at the line. Finished pallets are moved with a forklift truck, which the maker operates. Machinery is operated safely. Formal requirements are set by the employer.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (16)

types of palletstypes of palletsThe structure, properties and use of the two main types of pallets: stringer and block pallets.pallet dimensionspallet dimensionsThe standardization and regulation of the different dimensions of pallets, such as ISO pallets, North American pallets or European pallets.quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.operate forkliftoperate forkliftOperate a forklift, a vehicle with a pronged device in front for lifting and carrying heavy loads.remove inadequate workpiecesremove inadequate workpiecesEvaluate which deficient processed workpieces do not meet the set-up standard and should be removed and sort the waste according to regulations.troubleshoottroubleshootIdentify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.remove processed workpieceremove processed workpieceRemove individual workpieces after processing, from the manufacturing machine or the machine tool. In case of a conveyor belt this involves quick, continuous movement.perform test runperform test runPerform 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, ...work safely with machineswork safely with machinesCheck and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.dispose of cutting waste materialdispose of cutting waste materialDispose of possibly hazardous waste material created in the cutting process, such as swarf, scrap and slugs, sort according to regulations, and clean up workplace.wear appropriate protective gearwear appropriate protective gearWear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.monitor conveyor beltmonitor conveyor beltMonitor the flow of the work pieces on the conveyor belt as they are processed by the machine to ensure optimal productivity.monitor automated machinesmonitor automated machinesContinuously 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...supply machinesupply machineEnsure 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.set up the controller of a machineset up the controller of a machineSet up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.ensure conformity to specificationsensure conformity to specificationsEnsure that the assembled products are conform to the specifications given.
Optional (22) — show
woodworking processeswoodworking processesSteps in the processing of wood for the manufacturing of wooden articles and types of machines used for these processes such as drying, shaping, assembling and surface finishing.types of woodtypes of woodTypes of wood, such as birch, pine, poplar, mahogany, maple and tulipwood.inspect quality of productsinspect quality of productsUse 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.record production data for quality controlrecord production data for quality controlKeep records of the machine's faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.measure parts of manufactured productsmeasure parts of manufactured productsOperate measurement instruments to measure parts of manufactured objects. Take into consideration specifications of manufacturers to perform the measuring.replace sawing blade on machinereplace sawing blade on machineReplace the old blade of a sawing machine with a new one by removing the chip brush, taking away the front blade guide, loosening the blade tension and removing the blade. Assemble and install new bla...identify hazards in the workplaceidentify hazards in the workplacePerform safety audits and inspections on workplaces and workplace equipment. Ensure that they meet safety regulations and identify hazards and risks.conduct routine machinery checksconduct routine machinery checksCheck machinery and equipment to ensure reliable performance during use and operations in worksites.operate nailing machineryoperate nailing machinerySet up and operate machinery and equipment that uses nails to fasten wooden parts together to create goods, such as boxes, crates or pallets.stack empty palletsstack empty palletsDeposit empty pallets in the designed location.perform machine maintenanceperform machine maintenancePerform regular maintenance, possibly including corrections and alterations, on a machine or machine tool to ensure it remains in a proper productive state.prepare wood production reportsprepare wood production reportsPrepare reports on wood technology production and progressive development of wood based materials.operate nail gunoperate nail gunUse a mechanical tool to fasten parts together by hammering nails into wood or other materials. The nails are ejected by compressed air, electromagnetism or other forces.consult technical resourcesconsult technical resourcesRead and interpret technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.check quality of raw materialscheck quality of raw materialsCheck the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.operate thickness planer machineoperate thickness planer machineFeed wood materials into the thickness planer, after which a surfaced board is retrieved. Avoid 'sniping' by using an additional piece of wood with the same thickness.heat materialsheat materialsPut 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.keep records of work progresskeep records of work progressMaintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.inspect machineryinspect machineryCheck machine equipment for proper performance and detect faults and malfunctions. Diagnose malfunctions using testing equipment to determine the required repair.produce customised productsproduce customised productsProduce goods designed and created to fit the specific needs or request of a customer.operate wood sawing equipmentoperate wood sawing equipmentOperate various machinery and equipment to cut wood in different sizes and shapes.pallets loadingpallets loadingAbility to load and unload pallets on vehicles in a safe way.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a wood pallet maker do?

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.

What skills does a wood pallet maker need?

A wood pallet maker needs 16 essential skills, including types of pallets, pallet dimensions, quality standards, operate forklift, remove inadequate workpieces.

Will AI replace wood pallet maker jobs?

The AI disruption score for wood pallet maker is 55/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: record production data for quality control, remove processed workpiece, quality standards. Most resilient: types of wood, pallet dimensions, types of pallets.

AI Replacement Risk

55/ 100
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Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupFood processing, wood working, garment and other craft workers
Essential Skills16

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