Manual Loggers
Job description
These individuals cut down trees with chainsaws in logging camps. They are employed by logging companies or contractors.
Environment
- Climatic conditions
- Equipment, machinery, tools
- Odours
- Nontoxic dust
- Hazardous workplaces
- Noise
- Falling objects
- Vibration
Main tasks
- Assess the location, terrain, and weather conditions before felling and skidding trees.
- Use chainsaws to cut, delimb, and buck trees.
- Stack logs according to the instructions received.
- Maintain equipment and perform minor repairs.
Advancement and mobility
- Experience leads to supervisory positions.
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
Secondary
Sometimes required
Chainsaw Operators
- Owning and maintaining one’s own chainsaw is often required.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Operations and control
- Result evaluation
- Critical thought
- Monitoring operations
- Judgment and decision-making
Abilities
- Reaction time
- Limb coordination
- Control accuracy
- Manual dexterity
- Static muscle power
- Hand-arm stability
- Limb movement speed
- Auditory attention
- Overall coordination of the body
- Endurance
- Core strength
- Depth perception
- Near vision
- Colour perception and distinction
- Hearing sensitivity
- Physical flexibility in extension
- Processing flexibility
- Distance vision
- Speed control
- Information organization
- Response orientation
- Awareness of issues
- Visualization
- Classification
- Oral comprehension
- Overall balance of the body
- Dynamic strength
- Verbal skills
- Perception speed
Knowledge and attributes
- Focussed on results
- Autonomy
- Sense of responsibility
- Capacity to work in a team
- Vitality
- Respect standards and regulations
- Sense of observation
- Knowledge of public safety and security
- Tolerance to frequent temperature variations
- Knowledge of mechanics
Interests
- Work manually
- Develop and exploit natural resources
- Exercer une activité sportive ou physique
- Work outdoors
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Enterprising
- People with this profile prefer having responsibilities, influencing others and responding to challenges.
Appellation d’emploi liée (à traduire)
Chain saw and skidder operators (CNP 84110)
Skill type
Natural resources, agriculture and related production
Last update: January 29, 2026
Page evaluation