Sawmill General Worker

Hard, outdoor work on a pine plantation near Polokwane, with training on chainsaws and fire safety. You'll work with a small crew, so being easy to work with matters as much as skill.

The site is in Polokwane; early starts mean public transport timing matters, so check your route before applying. Most weeks are 45 hours, in line with the BCEA.

• Clear and maintain firebreaks during the dry season
• Prune lower branches with pruning saws and ladders
• Feed logs into sawmill machines and stack planks
• Apply herbicide around young trees as instructed
• Stack logs by length for loading onto trucks
• Sharpen and service chainsaws daily

• Able to work in a crew and follow the crew leader
• Physically strong and fit for steep slopes
• Follows safety rules strictly around machines and fires
• Willing to work in remote areas
• Passes the medical check for fire crews
• Valid ID

• Chainsaw operator certificate
• First-aid training

• Full safety gear provided
• Crew transport to plantations
• Fire-season standby allowance
• Chainsaw and fire training at no cost

• Mention fire fighting experience, even as a volunteer. Fire protection crews look for it before winter.
• If you have a chainsaw ticket, put it at the top. Certified operators earn more and are hired first.