What Does It Take to Work in a Lumber Yard?: The Skills and Abilities All Lumbar Workers Need

Have you seen job listings posted by lumber companies for lumber yard workers? Are you considering work in the lumber industry?

You may think working in a lumber yard is a relatively simple job that requires little to previous experience or skills.

You are wrong if you think that. There are important skills and abilities you need to join the lumber workforce.

Read on to learn more about what it takes to work in a lumber yard.

Heavy Lifting

Did you know the current lumber market is in an unprecedented swing of pricing and supply? The first and second quarters of 2020 saw all construction work halted by the COVID 19 pandemic, while home buying skyrocketed thanks to favorable interest rates.

Combine that with the recent wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, and you’ll see that supply is way behind demand. Don’t expect that to last. As an increase of the supply is made through the hard work of the logger, the lumber yard business will boom.

Part of your job as a lumber yard worker is to manage the supply of the yard. That means loading and unloading heavy lumber to and from trucks. That also means stacking and storing that lumber.

To be a lumber yard worker, you have to be able to do the heavy lifting required throughout your workday.

Service

One of the most important aspects of lumber yard work is customer service. Part of your job in a lumber yard will be to deal with the public.

You will need customer service skills to manage the needs and expectations of large company representatives, private contractors, as well as do it yourself homeowners.

As with any public-facing job, you represent the mission and values of your employer.

Knowledge

You can’t work as a fine-dining waiter without food and wine knowledge. You can’t take on the duties of a secretary without knowledge of specific computer and organizational programs.

You also can’t be successful in a lumber yard without knowing about the different types of lumber.

To fulfill the customer service duties of your lumber yard job, you have to know the uses of dimensional lumber and the differences in the types of wood.

A background in contracting work or the home improvement industry is beneficial for lumber yard work.

Protection

Say you’ve got the physical attributes, the knowledge, and the right attitude to work in a lumber yard. Now you need to protect yourself.

Given the daunting physicality of lumber yard duties, you need to have lumber yard insurance. Supplemental insurance to cover yourself and liability insurance for lumber yard owners are important safety nets.

If hired, do some research to find the best lumber insurance company to meet your needs. Make sure your employer has adequate liability coverage as well.

Lumber Yard

Work in a lumber yard is exciting, yet physically demanding.

There is more to it than you might think. If you are in the job market and work in the lumber industry sounds interesting, make sure you have what it takes.

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