Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the outcomes required to collect data or samples from specified areas for the purposes of assessment. The unit includes interpreting maps and plans, marking the sample area, measuring aspects of the sample area, and recording the results in a format suitable for further analysis

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 FPIFGM2206A Collect data or samples for assessment

Application of the unit 

The unit involves collecting data or samples for assessment in a forest environment

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 sampling

1.1. Applicable occupational health and safety  (OHS), environmental , legislative and organisational requirements  relevant to collecting data and samples  are identified and followed

1.2. Sample area , purpose and requirements  are identified from map or plan work order in line with organisational requirements 

1.3. Relationship of sample area to the whole  is identified and interpreted

1.4. Required equipment  is identified and obtained in line with work instructions

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

2. Collect data or samples

2.1. Sample area is marked  in line with work instructions and organisational procedures

2.2. Measurements  are taken using suitable equipment in line with work instructions and organisational procedures

2.3. Unclear or obliterated markings are re -marked using suitable equipment in line with organisational procedures 

2.4. Samples are collected and labelled in line with work instructions and organisational procedures

2.5. Problems are identified and resolved in line with site procedures and environmental requirements 

3. Complete records

3.1. Records and reports  are completed in a format suitable for analysis in line with site and organisational requirements

3.2. Results are checked for omissions and errors in line with organisational requirements 

3.3. Completed records are submitted for further assessment in line with organisational requirements

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• Technical skills sufficient to review and identify work requirements
• Communication skills sufficient to use appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques; locate, record and report information
• Literacy skills sufficient to read, interpret and use site plans and maps
• Numeracy skills sufficient to apply appropriate mathematical processes to mark sample area and boundaries; take and read measurements; use measuring and marking equipment
• Problem solving skills sufficient to identify problems; 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 collecting data or samples
• Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material and returning the environment to its original or near to original condition on completion of activity
• Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for collecting data or samples
• Environmental risks and hazards
• Common trees and plants
• Correct safety equipment
• Local topography and hazards
• Typical common diseases, pests and nutrition deficiencies
• Methods for moving through the forest environment safely
• Established communication channels and protocols
• Problem identification and resolution strategies, and common fault finding techniques
• Types of 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 collect data or samples for assessment, including demonstrating appropriate marking and measuring procedures in line with site standards

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 collecting data or samples
• following organisational policies and procedures relevant to collecting data or samples
• communicating and working safely with others in the work area
• identifying and marking sample area and boundaries from maps and site plans, including identifying potential hazards
• collecting samples and taking measurements using suitable equipment
• accurately and clearly recording results of data or sampling collection in a format suitable for analysis and interpretation

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)

Samples  may include:

• foliage
• wood
• soil
• seeds
• pollen
• weeds
• insects

Sample area  may include:

• permanent areas
• for a single calculation
• boundaries and corners

Purpose  may include:

• calculating the volume of timber
• calculating residue
• inventory control
• stock count
• plotting on site plans or maps
• assisting with trials
• damage assessment (e.g. insect, wind)
• conducting pest and disease surveys
• documenting site factors

Requirements  may include:

• identifying:

• locations
• boundaries
• starting point for measurement or sample

Work order  may include:

• supervisor instructions
• details of data or sample collection or measurement requirements
• details of equipment to be used
• details of existing markings or previous measurements
• maps or site plans
• purpose of assessment or measurement
• instructions for the environmental monitoring of work and procedures
• environmental care requirements relevant to the work

Relationship of sample area to the whole  may be identified as a:

• percentage
• fraction
• ratio

Equipment  may include:

• personal protective equipment, such as boots and hard hat
• measuring equipment, such as tools or instruments, including measuring tape, calliper, measuring pole, labels for samples, chainsaw and rifle
• marking equipment, such as tools or instruments, including pruning shears, paint, purpose-specific balloons, flags, pegs and mallet

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

Marked 

relates to boundaries and corners and may include:

• pegging
• spraying
• pruning
• placing flags
• placing balloons

Measurements  may include:

• numbers
• measuring girth
• measuring lengths
• measuring diameter
• measuring circumference
• counting
• estimating cover/metre

Problems  may include:

• hazards
• data or sample quality
• faulty equipment
• interpreting maps and site plans
• measuring and marking processes
• common diseases, pests and nutrition deficiencies
• local topography

Records and reports  may include:

• notes
• completed proformas
• results of data or sample collection
• handwritten material

and may be:

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

Checked  may include:

• re-checking for visual clues in:

• measurements
• actual sample area

Competency field 

Forest Growing and Management