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underground carpenter

title: Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Underground Carpenter
salary: $50,000 - $120,000
categories: [Construction, Mining, Trades, Carpentry, Underground]
description: Detailed responsibilities and required skills for an Underground Carpenter (also called mine or tunnel carpenter). Includes primary and secondary job duties, hard and soft skills, career progression, education and experience expectations. Keywords: underground carpenter, mine carpenter, tunnel carpentry, timbering, shoring, formwork, shotcrete, roof support, confined space, MSHA, safety.

🎯 Role Definition

An Underground Carpenter installs, repairs and maintains timbering, formwork, shoring and structural support systems in mines, tunnels and other underground construction sites. The role requires precision carpentry skills adapted to constrained, hazardous environments and a relentless focus on safety and compliance (confined space, fall protection, ventilation). The Underground Carpenter interprets drawings and plans, measures and cuts materials, installs bolts, lagging and anchors, coordinates with miners, engineers and supervisors, and documents work to meet production, safety and quality targets.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Carpenter Apprentice (surface or general construction)
  • General Carpenter or Formwork Carpenter
  • Underground Laborer / Timberman

Advancement To:

  • Lead Underground Carpenter / Chargehand
  • Underground Carpentry Foreman / Shift Supervisor
  • Mine Site Supervisor / Underground Superintendent
  • Specialist Roles (Ground Support Engineer Technician)

Lateral Moves:

  • Shotcrete Operator / Mixer
  • Mine Rib Bolter / Rock Bolting Technician
  • Tunnel Formwork Foreman
  • Safety / Training Officer (confined spaces, fall protection)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Read, interpret and follow underground construction drawings, plans and specifications (including tunnel, drift and shaft drawings) to lay out and construct timbering, formwork and structural supports that meet engineering and safety requirements.
  • Construct, install and repair temporary and permanent shoring, scaling platforms, lagging, cribbing, posts, headers and cross ties to support tunnel roofs and walls in active mining and tunneling operations.
  • Measure, mark, cut, plane and shape wood, engineered timbers, composite materials and fabricated components using hand tools and power tools (saws, planers, routers, drills) to produce formwork and ground support assemblies to precise tolerances.
  • Fabricate and erect formwork for cast-in-place concrete underground, ensuring correct geometry, bracing and alignment for tunnel linings, slabs, footings and portal structures.
  • Install mechanical anchors, resin and grout anchors, rock bolts, cable bolts, and steel sets in accordance with ground control plans, and torque/secure bolts to specified load and spacing requirements.
  • Install and maintain shotcrete forms, mesh, and wire reinforcement; coordinate with shotcrete crews to ensure formwork integrity and proper concrete placement and curing practices underground.
  • Perform timber scaling and removal operations safely, including the controlled dismantling of temporary supports and cribbing while maintaining immediate roof support to prevent collapses.
  • Build and maintain permanent structural elements underground such as stairs, platforms, walkways, ladders, bulkheads, seals and brattices ensuring compliance with mine ventilation and egress requirements.
  • Carry out detailed layout and one-off fabrication for irregular underground shapes, using templates and full-size patterns when required to adapt formwork to curved or irregular tunnel profiles.
  • Apply corrosion protection, preservatives and coatings to timbers and structural elements to extend service life in wet and chemically aggressive underground environments.
  • Operate and maintain carpentry and construction tools, portable power equipment and light rigging gear safely; perform pre‑shift inspections and routine preventive maintenance to avoid downtime.
  • Coordinate with mine engineers, geotechnical teams and site supervisors to adjust ground support plans based on geological conditions, overbreak, face stability and groundwater inflows.
  • Prepare material lists, estimate timber and hardware requirements, order or requisition supplies, and manage lumber and hardware inventory on site to support continuous production cycles.
  • Anchor and secure ventilation ducting supports, brattice frames and scaffolded ventilation structures while maintaining clear airflow and access for underground work areas.
  • Install signage, barricades and fall-protection anchors around hazardous openings, shaft collars and temporary works to protect personnel and comply with mine safety regulations.
  • Conduct surveys and dimensional checks using measuring tapes, laser levels, plumb bobs and layout instruments to ensure formwork and supports meet tolerance and alignment specifications.
  • Train and mentor junior carpenters, apprentices and laborers in safe underground carpentry practices, tool use, reading drawings and accurate layout techniques.
  • Participate in daily pre-shift safety briefings, risk assessments, job hazard analyses (JHAs) and lockout/tagout procedures specific to underground carpentry tasks.
  • Maintain comprehensive work records, defect reports and as-built documentation for installed ground support and structural elements to support inspections, audits and handover processes.
  • Respond to emergency ground control incidents, perform temporary stabilizing works and assist rescue or recovery teams in a safe and coordinated manner when required.
  • Support cross-functional teams (bolters, miners, concrete crews, surveyors) to sequence carpentry activities with blasting, mucking and other underground operations to minimize rework and delays.
  • Adapt carpentry methods and material choices to challenging underground conditions such as high humidity, confined spaces, limited headroom, adverse ground conditions and reduced visibility.

Secondary Functions

  • Maintain and secure carpentry stores, toolboxes and consumable inventories; report shortages proactively to supervisors to prevent work stoppages.
  • Complete equipment pre-use checklists and report defects; arrange for repairs or replacement of faulty tools and small equipment as needed.
  • Assist site safety officers in scaffold and anchor inspections, confined space entry set-up and monitoring, and implementation of corrective actions from safety audits.
  • Support continuous improvement efforts by documenting process improvements, time-saving jigs, and standardized detail drawings for repetitive underground installations.
  • Help prepare site risk assessments, method statements and permit-to-work documentation for complex carpentry scopes and high-risk work locations.
  • Participate in training programs and refresher courses on mine safety, first aid, fall protection, MSHA/CIM/CSA standards or other applicable regulatory requirements.
  • Liaise with procurement and materials coordinators to optimize timber specifications, treated lumber selection and alternative material options for cost and performance.
  • Provide input into scheduling and sequencing meetings to ensure timely availability of ground support and formwork for extraction and tunneling cycles.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Timber and formwork carpentry: layout, cutting, joinery, bracing and assembly of complex underground forms and timber supports.
  • Ground support installation: rock bolting, resin anchors, cable bolts, mechanical anchors and lagging installation techniques.
  • Reading and interpreting underground drawings, engineering specifications, installation sequences and as-built documentation.
  • Concrete formwork and finishing basics for cast-in-place tunnel linings and slabs, including shoring and bracing for concrete loads.
  • Use of hand and power carpentry tools: circular saws, reciprocating saws, SDS drills, planers, routers, nail guns, grinders and battery-powered tool systems.
  • Rigging and basic hoisting: slings, chain hoists, lifting points, and safe material handling in constrained underground spaces.
  • Measuring and layout: tape measures, laser levels, plumb bobs, squares and templates for accurate one-off and repetitive fabrication.
  • Shotcrete/mesh coordination: installing formwork and reinforcement compatible with shotcrete operations and mesh fastening techniques.
  • Confined space procedures, atmospheric monitoring, ventilation requirements and emergency egress practices.
  • Knowledge of mine safety standards and certifications relevant to region (e.g., MSHA, CIM, CSA standards) and PPE suited for underground carpentry.
  • Material estimation and inventory control: lumber takeoffs, fasteners, anchors and hardware provisioning.
  • Welding and metal fabrication basics (beneficial): ability to tack or adjust light steel sets and connectors where carpentry interfaces with metalwork.
  • Preventive maintenance and tool inspection protocols for power and hand tools used underground.

Soft Skills

  • Strong focus on safety and risk awareness with the ability to apply job hazard analysis outcomes to daily work.
  • Clear verbal communication and coordination skills to work effectively with miners, engineers, supervisors and concrete/bolting crews.
  • Problem-solving and adaptability to design or method changes caused by ground conditions or geological surprises.
  • Attention to detail when measuring, cutting and assembling components to prevent rework in remote underground environments.
  • Teamwork and leadership: ability to lead small crews, mentor apprentices and maintain morale in remote and physically demanding settings.
  • Time management and production orientation to complete tasks to schedule while maintaining quality and safety.
  • Physical stamina, manual dexterity and comfort working in confined, noisy, dark and wet environments.
  • Initiative and continuous improvement mindset: proposing safer, faster or more durable carpentry solutions.
  • Reliability and accountability: consistent attendance for shift-based work and adherence to site procedures and reporting requirements.
  • Cultural sensitivity and professionalism when working on diverse, multi-disciplinary crews and at remote camp sites.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent (preferred).

Preferred Education:

  • Completion of a Carpentry apprenticeship or trade school certificate in Carpentry, Construction Technology or a related skilled-trade program.
  • Additional training in mine safety, confined space entry, and ground support installation.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Carpentry / Joinery
  • Construction Technology / Trades
  • Mining Technology / Underground Operations
  • Civil or Structural Construction basics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–8 years in carpentry with at least 1–3 years experience working in underground, tunneling or mining environments doing ground support and formwork.

Preferred:

  • 3+ years as an Underground Carpenter, Mine Carpenter, Tunnel Carpenter or Formwork Carpenter with documented experience installing timbering, shoring, rock bolts and formwork in underground settings.
  • Experience coordinating with shotcrete crews and mine bolters, and proven track record of working safely in confined spaces and under site-specific mine safety systems (e.g., MSHA certification where applicable).
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