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Fiberglass Lay-Up Workers (Laminators)

TRENDS

Many manufacturers have turned to using synthetics because of their many 
desirable qualities.  Glass-fiber laminated products, which have the tensile 
strength of most metals of comparable thickness, are used for custom 
automobile bodies, countertops, plumbing fixtures, boat hulls, safety 
shields, protective headgear, aircraft and missile components, sports 
equipment, and numerous other products.


THE JOB

FIBERGLASS LAY-UP WORKERS are responsible for the efficient construction and 
repair of the above mentioned products.  They may also be known as reinforced
plastics laminators or preforms laminators.

Fiberglass Lay-up Workers (laminators) use both hand and power tools to 
construct, shape, or repair laminated products of glass-fiber fabric or mats.
In manufacturing new items, they check all dies, templates, and cutout 
patterns to be used in the manufacturing process with dimensional data, 
photographs, blueprints, samples, or customer specifications.  Repair work or
modification of a glass-fiber part requires laminators to check thickness, 
density, and contour of the damaged or defective part to assure a close fit.

Each mold must be checked to make certain that all excess moisture has been 
removed from it.  After carefully preparing the surface of the mold with 
lacquer and wax, lay-up workers mask off areas of the mold which are not to 
be laminated.  Masking materials include cellophane, wax paper, masking tape,
or special sprays containing a mold release substance.  They select glass-
fiber fabric or mats and then cut and shape the material to prevent puckers, 
pockets, or wrinkles from forming.  Plastic resin is applied to the mold and 
the fabric is spread onto it.  The cloth is patted or pressed into place by 
hand or brush.  Another layer of plastic resin is applied and the process is 
repeated until the product has the desired thickness and the plastic has 
jelled.  Before the laminated material has completely set, lay-up workers trim
all edges.

They cure the material by either letting it set at room temperature, placing 
it under a heat lamp, or baking in an oven.  When the material is cured, lay-
up workers trim it further by sawing with diamond-impregnated cutoff wheels 
and finish rough edges by machine or hand sanding.  They check the completed 
product for conformance with specifications and for defects by measuring with
ruler or micrometer, by visual inspection, and by tapping to detect bubbles 
or dead spots.

Another process for constructing glass-fiber products is called "flocking".  
To use this process, laminators operate a special "chopper" gun to blow 
"roving" (chopped glass fiber) along with resin onto or into prepared molds 
or dies.


WORKING CONDITIONS

Fiberglass Lay-up Workers in most establishments are subject to irritation 
from fine glass-fiber dust from grinding or cutting operations, and toxic 
fumes or unpleasant odors from resins and catalysts.  They often must wear 
respirators to filter out toxic fumes.  Depending upon the lay-out of work 
areas, some shops are quiet while others are noisy.  Workers may also be 
subjected to heat from heat lamps and ovens.

Lay-up workers often work in difficult positions.  While doing lay-up work at
lay-up tables or benches, they may stand for extended periods on concrete 
floors.  Jobs too large for the lay-up table involve kneeling, bending, 
stooping, and extended reaching.

The laminating industry generally does not have an independent labor 
organization to act as a bargaining agent.  In some areas, workers in this 
occupation are represented by the dominant union in the plant.


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The use of glass-fiber lamination is expected to continue to grow moderately,
corresponding with the economy in California and the demand for consumer 
products such as boats, automotive equipment, furniture, household 
appliances, and various new products.  Fiberglass is also used extensively in
the electronics and aerospace industries.  Fully-qualified fiberglass workers
are sometimes in demand in the larger manufacturing areas, and are also 
needed in small non-manufacturing communities to repair automobile bodies, 
furniture, pleasure boats, and other products.

The following information is from the California Projections of Employment 
published by the Labor Market Information Division.  These figures represent 
the broad occupational group Hand Workers, Not Elsewhere Classified, which 
includes Fiberglass Lay-up Workers (Laminators).

Estimated number of workers in 1990                    47,870
Estimated number of workers in 2005                    57,900
Projected Growth Percentage                               21%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005          15,610

(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)

Lay-up workers work in a variety of industries, and generally in relatively 
small firms.  Both fully-qualified and trainee fiberglass workers are 
expected to remain in moderate demand over the next few years.


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

The wage scale and hours vary and are often determined by the type of 
industry or product.  The beginning rate of pay is usually about $5.00 an 
hour.  Experienced workers earn from $7.50 to $18.00 an hour depending on the
complexity of the work.  Other methods of compensation include a combination 
of minimum wage plus piecework pay or minimum wage plus piecework pay or 
piecework pay only.  And depending on the size of the product and complexity 
of work, piecework pay can be $100 or $200 per piece.  The normal workweek is
40 hours, although some overtime may occur.

Fringe benefits range from none or minimal to varying combinations of paid 
holiday and vacation, sick leave, retirement plan, and group health and life 
insurance coverage.

Firms manufacturing swimming pools, pleasure boats, and automobile bodies 
usually experience a slack period during some winter months.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

Many employers select applicants with high school or vocational school 
background, and prefer them to have some mechanical and mathematical ability.
An understanding of chemistry is also helpful because the correct mixing of 
chemicals can be an important part of the job.  Beginning workers must 
possess a willingness to learn and work, be able to read and write, have good
manual dexterity, and maintain good attendance.

In some locales, the usual practice is for employers to hire inexperienced 
workers and provide on-the-job training.  In other areas, vocational school 
and community college courses in fiberglass lay-up work are the best 
preparation for the beginner in this occupation.


ADVANCEMENT

Employers often advance lay-up workers by increasing their wages according to
production, improvement shown in the work, and by the amount of experience 
workers have.  In some of the larger establishments, the line of promotion is
from production work to foreman.  Individuals possessing the personality and 
qualifications, and a good understanding of the manufacturer's marketable 
products may progress to the sales department.

Employees in the small two-to-ten worker shops may have little chance for 
advancement beyond the production or manufacturing process.  Self-employment 
opportunities are sometimes provided by the need for modification or repair 
of fiberglass products in outlying neighborhoods or in smaller communities.


FINDING THE JOB

Persons interested in fiberglass lay-up work may obtain work by applying 
directly to employers, college or vocational school placement offices, 
private employment agencies, or by registering for work with the California 
Employment Development Department.


ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Composites Fabricators Association
1735 N. Lynn St., Suite 950
Arlington, VA  22209
(703) 524-3332
http://www.cfa-hq.org/

SPI Composites Institute
355 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY  10017
(212) 351-5410
http://www.plasticsindustry.org/

Fiberglass Petroleum Tank and Pipe Institute
3131 Executive Pkwy.
Toledo, OH  43606-1327
(419) 535-3885


OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed. Rev. 1)
  Laminator, Preforms              754.684-050
  Fiberglass Laminator             806.684-054

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
  Assemblers & Fabricators, except Machine, Electrical,
    Electronic and Precision            939560
  Hand Workers, NEC                     939990

Source:  State of California, Employment Development Department,
         Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
         (916) 262-2162.