Paperhangers

Cover interior walls or ceilings of rooms with decorative wallpaper or fabric, or attach advertising posters on surfaces such as walls and billboards. May remove old materials or prepare surfaces to be papered.

The automation risk for the occupation "Paperhangers" is relatively low, with a base risk of just 7.5% and an overall estimated automation risk of 7.4%. This limited risk can be attributed to the hands-on, nuanced nature of the work involved. Although there are certain repetitive and physically driven tasks, the occupation heavily relies on practical expertise, manual dexterity, and decision-making skills that are challenging for automation technologies to replicate accurately. Unlike jobs that follow a standard routine in highly controlled environments, paperhanging work often presents variables—such as wall texture, paper material, and site-specific challenges—that require human judgment and adaptability. Among the most automatable tasks within this role are actions that are straightforward and repetitive. For example, smoothing strips or sections of paper with brushes or rollers to remove wrinkles and bubbles, as well as to smooth joints, is a task that could be performed by robotic devices or automated rollers. Similarly, trimming rough edges from strips using straightedges and trimming knives, and trimming excess material at ceilings or baseboards, are tasks characterized by consistent, repetitive motions which could be standardized by automation solutions. However, while these tasks are technically feasible to automate, the nuances involved in achieving a professional finish often still benefit from human oversight and precision. Conversely, the most resistant tasks typically involve specialized care, adaptability, or creativity. Applying acetic acid to damp plaster to prevent lime from bleeding through paper, for instance, is a task that requires an understanding of surface conditions and precise chemical handling, which is difficult to automate safely. Removing paint, varnish, dirt, and grease from surfaces using various solutions involves judgement about appropriate cleaning agents and methods based on the specific site. Additionally, stapling or tacking advertising posters onto fences, walls, billboards, or poles often requires improvisation in different environments. The bottleneck skill for automation in this occupation is "originality," reflected at levels of 2.0% and 1.8%, suggesting that the need for creative solutions and adaptive problem-solving significantly limits the risk of full automation in paperhanging.