Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the outcomes required to trim and cut felled trees with a chainsaw. It is intended for use in situations where the production of timber is not the primary focus of the activity. The unit also includes equipment maintenance

General workplace legislative and regulatory requirements apply to this unit; specific licensing or certification requirements may apply in some states and territories

This unit replaces FPICOT2221A Trim and cross cut felled trees

Application of the unit 

This unit involves trimming and cutting felled trees with a chainsaw in a variety of work settings including a forest, agriculture, domestic, local council and emergency services environment, as relevant to the unit

The skills and knowledge required for competent workplace performance are to be used within the scope of the person's job and authority

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for trimming and cutting

1.1. Applicable Occupational Health and Safety  (OHS ), environmental, legislative  and organisational requirements  and manufacturer's specifications relevant to trimming and cutting felled trees  are identified and followed

1.2. Site environmental protection measures  and enterprise environmental management systems are identified and adhered to in line with relevant legislation and regulations

1.3. Job requirements  are reviewed and clarified with appropriate personnel 

1.4. Trimming and cutting activities are planned in line with site procedures

1.5. Tools and equipment  are selected appropriate to work requirements and checked for operational effectiveness in line with organisational procedures and manufacturer's recommendations

1.6. Communication  with others is established and maintained in line with OHS requirements

2. Visually assess felled trees

2.1. Trees to be trimmed and cut are identified in line with job requirements

2.2. Environmental requirements  are identified and used to plan the trimming and cutting activities

2.3. Tree, location and stability are assessed for conditions likely to affect safety of trimming and cutting activities

2.4. Tree is visually assessed for defects 

2.5. Stresses  within the tree are identified

2.6. Trees unable to be cut safely are identified and referred to appropriate personnel

3. Plan cutting

3.1. Tree is moved or stabilised for safe cutting in line with site standards and regulations

3.2. Cutting pattern  is selected to optimise time and manageable removal of the sections

3.3. Options for utilisation of product are identified

3.4. Sequence of cuts  is planned to maintain control of cut sections and minimise cutting problems

3.5. Cut location is determined with consideration of tree stresses

4. Conduct trimming and cutting

4.1. Debris  is cleared from the work area to prevent saw damage or injury in line with OHS requirements

4.2. Pre start -up  checks are carried out on equipment in line with site requirements

4.3. Movement and whereabouts of other personnel is monitored and work is modified in line with OHS regulations

4.4. Tree section on each side of planned cut is secured and potential movement is assessed and planned

4.5. Chainsaw is operated to cut tree and limbs with cutting techniques  adjusted in response to movement and condition of the tree/limbs

4.6. Trimming and cutting is completed in line with OHS and job requirements

4.7. Trimming and cutting records  are prepared and problems reported to the appropriate personnel

5. Conduct equipment maintenance 

5.1. Equipment is inspected on completion of trimming and cutting activities

5.2. Damaged saws and cutting attachments are identified for repair or replacement in line with organisational requirements and manufacturer's recommendations

5.3. Chain and other components are removed, cleaned, maintained, adjusted or replaced in line with manufacturer's recommendations

5.4. Tools and equipment are maintained in line with OHS requirements and manufacturer's recommendations

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Required skills 

• Technical skills sufficient to select, use and maintain relevant equipment to safely trim and cut felled trees in a range of situations
• Ability to assess the implications related to identified stresses of the tree
• Communication skills sufficient to interact with colleagues and others
• Literacy skills sufficient to review and accurately identify work requirements and to locate, record and report information
• Numeracy skills sufficient to estimate and measure tolerances and minimum diameter, and calculate time to complete tasks
• Problem solving skills sufficient to identify problems, equipment faults and apply appropriate response procedures

Required knowledge 

• Applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices relevant to the full range of processes for trimming and cutting felled trees
• Industry, organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for trimming and cutting felled trees
• Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material
• Characteristics of trees and types of timber defects that may affect cutting
• Cutting patterns, sequences and techniques
• Chainsaw operation, safety and maintenance procedures
• Risk assessment processes
• Problem identification and resolution strategies and common fault finding techniques
• Types of tools and equipment and procedures for their use, operation and maintenance for trimming and cutting felled trees
• Procedures for reporting workplace records and information

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can safely and efficiently trim and cut felled trees and conduct equipment maintenance within industry and organisational requirements

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements of this unit and include demonstration of:

• following applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice, including OHS and environmental, relevant to trimming and cutting felled trees
• following industry and organisational policies and procedures relevant to trimming and cutting felled trees
• effective communication and safe working practices
• planning of trimming and cutting activities in line with site standards and regulations
• trimming and cutting of felled trees in line with job requirements in a range of workplace situations
• equipment maintenance

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or realistically simulated workplace
• Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints
• Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context
• Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian Standards requirements
• The following resources should be made available:

• workplace location or simulated workplace
• materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this unit
• specifications and work instructions

Method of assessment 

• Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI11 Training Package
• Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge
• Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on underpinning knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills
• Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access and correctly interpret and apply the essential underpinning knowledge
• Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process
• Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances
• Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency
• The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate
• Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English
• Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment
• Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

OHS requirements :

are to be in line with applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:

• personal protective equipment and clothing safety equipment
• first aid equipment
• fire fighting equipment
• communications equipment
• location of other workers
• hazard and risk control
• fatigue management
• elimination of hazardous materials and substances
• safe workplace practices including required actions relating to forest fire
• awareness of danger zone for kickback
• manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying
• erection of warning signs
• potential falling objects
• procedures for cutting on slopes

Legislative requirements :

are to be in line with applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice and may include:

• Australian Standards
• OHS
• the environment
• equal opportunity
• relevant industry codes of practice
• award and enterprise agreements
• industrial relations
• confidentiality and privacy
• duty of care
• heritage and traditional land owner issues

Organisational requirements  may include:

• legal
• organisational and site guidelines
• policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility
• quality assurance
• procedural manuals
• quality and continuous improvement processes and standards
• OHS
• emergency and evacuation procedures
• fire prevention procedures
• recording and reporting requirements
• equipment use and maintenance and storage requirements
• environmental management requirements (waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)
• access and equity principles and practices

Trees  may include:

• hardwood trees
• softwood trees

Environmental protection measures  may include:

• action to limit the impact of noise, wind speed and direction, fallen trees, ground slope, ground hazards and obstacles, general forest lean
• action to limit the impact to ground growth, canopy, density of trees

and may relate to:

• soil and water protection
• contingencies for modifying operations during wet or other adverse weather conditions
• the safe disposal of waste material

Job requirements 

refer to information and instructions relevant to trimming and cutting operations including:

• size
• length
• quantity and grade
• removal status

Appropriate personnel  may include:

• supervisors
• clients
• colleagues
• line management

Tools and equipment  may include:

• chainsaws
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• maintenance tools
• fuel and oil containers

and ancillary equipment, which may include:

• hammer
• axe
• wedges
• cant hook or breaking bar
• first aid kit
• fire control equipment
• tool belt
• loggers tape
• warning signs
• chainsaw maintenance kit

Communication  may include:

• verbal and non-verbal language
• hand or other agreed signals
• eye contact with other operators or personnel
• use of electronic devices

Environmental requirements 

may be assessed in relation to:

• ground growth
• ground slope
• ground hazards and obstacles

and may include environmental protection measures to:

• limit the impact of noise, fumes in enclosed spaces, waste, fire, disposal of fuel and oil
• limit the impact on flora, fauna and habitat

Defects  may include:

• splits
• falling damage
• fire damage
• infestation
• pipe
• shake
• twist
• branch/knot locations

Stresses  may include:

• tension (fibres being stretched)
• compression (fibres being squashed)
• neutral fibres

Cutting pattern  refers to:

• the best direction or angle for making a cut

Sequence of cuts  refers to:

• the plan of cuts to optimise time and recovery of logs

Debris  may include:

• stones
• rocks
• loose branches
• other timber
• woody material
• any loose hazards underfoot or in escape path
• any material underfoot or in the cutting area which may impinge on safe cutting procedures

Pre start-up checks  may include:

• checking that equipment is suitable for task and has been set up correctly
• checking that systems are performing accurately
• checking equipment is operating to optimum performance

Cutting techniques  may include:

• bridging cuts
• swinging cuts
• side bind cuts
• delimbing
• boring
• wedge cuts
• ripping cuts

Records  may include:

• quality outcomes; hazards, incident reports, equipment malfunctions and damage

and may be compiled using a computer-based system or another appropriate organisational communication system to record and report

Maintenance  must include:

• sharpening

and may include:

• refuelling
• inspection, identification and replacement of bar, chain, drive sprockets
• bar oil checks and top up
• air filter check, clean and replacement
• cleaning of saw body, air intake vents and cooling fans
• fitting spare chain and tension chain

Competency field 

Common Technical