Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the outcomes required to coordinate log debarking operations in order to control systems for quality output and monitor equipment performance

General workplace legislative and regulatory requirements apply to this unit; however there are no specific licensing or certification requirements at the time of publication

This unit replaces FPICOT4205A Coordinate log debarking operations

Application of the unit 

The unit involves coordinating log debarking operations in a forest products factory setting

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. Plan debarking operations

1.1. Applicable occupational health and safety  (OHS), environmental , legislative  and organisational requirements  relevant to coordinating log debarking operations are identified and followed

1.2. Variations in timber characteristics are assessed, recorded and reported to operators 

1.3. Debarking  schedules are produced and applied in line with site procedures

1.4. Log management  procedures including order information are planned, scheduled and communicated to sawyers

1.5. Diameters and lengths  are planned and prescribed

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

2. Monitor debarking performance

2.1. Standard diameters and lengths are reviewed for suitability to planned debarking schedules

2.2. Debarking processes are monitored for accuracy of diameter and condition of debarked logs

2.3. Assistance is provided to operators with the evaluation of logs and debarking problems

2.4. Log management and output  are monitored to record possible process improvements

2.5. Debarking operations, major problems and equipment faults are investigated, recorded and reported 

3. Direct debarking operations

3.1. Debarking operations and output are monitored to record and action possible process improvements, based on diameters, lengths and logs being processed

3.2. Modifications are made to diameters or schedules to ensure optimum performance, which are then communicated to operators

3.3. Debarking improvement modifications are documented in line with site procedures

3.4. Debarked log output details are obtained and recorded in line with site requirements

3.5. Debarked logs are directed to storage  or transferred  for further processing

3.6. Operating logs and processing records are completed and maintained to site standards

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• Technical skills sufficient to use and maintain relevant tools, machinery and equipment; plan and coordinate log debarking operations
• Communication skills sufficient to use appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques with colleagues and others
• Literacy skills sufficient to record and report workplace information; maintain documentation
• Numeracy skills sufficient to measure, estimate and calculate time required to complete a task
• Problem solving skills sufficient to identify problems and equipment faults; demonstrate 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 coordinating log debarking operations
• Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material, the minimisation of carbon emissions, and the cleaning of plant, tools and equipment
• Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for coordinating log debarking operations
• Environmental risks and hazards
• Using energy effectively and efficiently
• Log debarking procedures and management
• Standard diameters and lengths
• Log management information, including diameter range, curvature, faults, species and moisture content
• Established communication channels and protocols
• Problem identification and resolution strategies, and common fault finding techniques
• Types of tools and equipment, and procedures for their safe use and maintenance
• Appropriate mathematical procedures for estimating and measuring, including calculating time to complete tasks
• Procedures for recording and reporting workplace 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 coordinate log debarking operations in line with 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 relevant to coordinating log debarking operations
• following organisational policies and procedures relevant to coordinating log debarking operations
• coordinating log debarking operations for the enterprise
• modifying debarking diameters and schedules for debarking operations within the enterprise
• coordinating personnel to follow planning, communications and scheduling for log debarking operations

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 required knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context
• Assessment is to follow 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 required knowledge
• Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required 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 required 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
• hazard and risk control
• fatigue management
• elimination of hazardous materials and substances
• safe forest practices, including required actions relating to forest fire
• manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying

Environmental requirements may include :

• legislation
• organisational policies and procedures
• workplace practices

Legislative requirements :

are to be in line with applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice and may include:

• award and enterprise agreements
• industrial relations
• Australian Standards
• confidentiality and privacy
• OHS
• the environment
• equal opportunity
• anti-discrimination
• relevant industry codes of practice
• duty of care

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
• ethical standards
• recording and reporting requirements
• equipment use, maintenance and storage requirements
• environmental management requirements (waste minimisation and disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)

Operators 

are the personnel who operate the debarking plant and equipment to debark logs to prescribed diameters

Debarking 

is the process of forcing a log through a debarking machine which strips the log bare of its bark, making the log available for further downstream processing, and outfeeding the bark for landscaping supplies

Log management  is to include:

• assessing individual logs to include assessment of diameter range, curvature, faults, species and moisture content

and includes:

• handling of the log

Diameters and lengths  are to include:

• standard diameters and lengths that the debarking equipment can strip before becoming jammed or shuddering

Communication  may include:

• verbal and non-verbal language
• constructive feedback
• active listening
• questioning to clarify and confirm understanding
• use of positive, confident and cooperative language
• use of language and concepts appropriate to individual social and cultural differences
• control of tone of voice

Output  is to include:

• size
• quality
• quantity

Records and reports  may include:

• planning and monitoring outcomes
• operating logs
• debarking records
• material movement
• despatch outcomes
• storage locations
• quality outcomes
• hazards
• incidents
• equipment malfunctions

and may be:

• manual
• a computer-based system
• other appropriate organisational communication system

Storage  may include:

• storage racks
• storage bays
• bins
• stacks
• pallet boxes
• modularised storage components
• temporary stacking bays (stand, frame or ground)

and may be divided into:

• standard product classification
• product designation
• size
• dimension
• stack number
• weight
• grade
• shelf life
• stock rotation position

Transfer  may include:

the use of:

• conveyor belt systems
• track systems

lifting equipment such as:

• fork lifts
• slings
• trolley jacks
• gantry cranes
• loaders

assistance with lifting, such as:

• involving two or more personnel to lift materials manually or to guide the movement of mechanical equipment

Competency field 

Common Technical