Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the outcomes required to plan and safely carry out brushcutting operations. The unit includes using a brushcutter in forest operations and troubleshooting, which includes identifying faults, malfunctions and problems

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 FPIFGM2207A Undertake brushcutting operations

Application of the unit 

The unit involves undertaking brushcutting operations in a variety of work settings, including a forest environment and other settings such as farms, agriculture, workshops, domestic, nursery and local councils

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 brushcutting

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

1.2. Work order is reviewed and checked as required with appropriate personnel 

1.3. Tools and equipment  are selected appropriate to work requirements and checked for operational effectiveness in line with manufacturer recommendations

1.4. Blunt or damaged brushcutter blades are identified, rectified  and reported in line with workplace procedures

1.5. Operational effectiveness of brushcutter blades is monitored to maintain  cutting safety and productivity

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

2. Assess vegetation and plan brushcutting

2.1. Site environmental concerns are identified and monitored in line with relevant commonwealth, state or territory and local legislation and regulations

2.2. Environmental conditions  are identified and assessed in line with work order

2.3. Limitations  are identified and assistance is sought as required in line with workplace procedures

2.4. Potential and existing risks and hazards in the work area are identified and controlled

2.5. Appropriate cutting methods for identified types of vegetation and situations are determined and planned to optimise time and safety

3. Operate brushcutter

3.1. Work is undertaken using established safe operating practices in line with workplace procedures, manufacturer recommendations and environmental requirements

3.2. Brushcutter safety harness and handles are adjusted to provide the operator with the correct ergonomic position

3.3. Brushcutting  operations are undertaken appropriate to site conditions and at a safe distance from other personnel in the work area

3.4. Brushcutter is monitored for operational effectiveness and is refuelled as required in line with manufacturer recommendations

3.5. Cut vegetation is disposed of  in line with site procedures and environmental requirements

3.6. Operational faults, malfunctions or problems are identified and reported in line with workplace procedures

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, operate and maintain relevant tools, machinery and equipment; safely operate and maintain a brushcutter; assess, plan and carry out brushcutting operations appropriate to the vegetation and site conditions; recognise common diseases, pests and nutritional deficiencies
• Communication skills sufficient to use appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques with colleagues and others; use hand signals with other operators to maintain effective and safe felling
• Literacy skills sufficient to locate, record and report information
• Numeracy skills sufficient to read and interpret written material; calculate slopes and weights in the metric system
• Problem solving skills sufficient to review and identify work requirements; 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 undertaking brushcutting operations
• Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material, and the minimisation of environmental impact, including carbon emissions and noise
• Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for undertaking brushcutting operations
• Environmental risks and hazards
• Established communication channels and protocols
• Methods of navigating and geographically orienting in the field
• Hazards of operating brushcutter, including kickback and flying objects
• Operational principles and limitations of brushcutters
• 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 assess, plan and conduct brushcutting operations in line with environmental 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 relevant to undertaking brushcutting operations
• following organisational policies and procedures relevant to undertaking brushcutting operations
• assessing, planning and safely conducting brushcutting operations within the range of variables, vegetation and conditions
• selecting, using and maintaining appropriate tools and equipment
• safely operating and maintaining a brushcutter and its components

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)

Appropriate personnel  may include:

• supervisors
• clients
• colleagues
• line management

Tools and equipment  may include:

• brushcutter and components
• fire equipment
• personal protective equipment and clothing
• first aid equipment
• maintenance requirements
• fuel

Rectify  may include:

• repairing or sending for repair, blunt or damaged brushcutter blades
• recycling blunt or damaged brushcutter blades that cannot be repaired
• sending blunt or damaged brushcutter blades that cannot be repaired to landfill

Maintenance  includes:

• safely sharpening blades
• changing components as required

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

Environmental conditions  may include:

• ground growth
• ground slope
• ground hazards
• noise
• weather

Limitations  may include:

• job role and responsibilities
• own competency level
• industry requirements
• own understanding of risk identification processes
• own interpretation of legislation, regulations and procedures
• OHS and environmental requirements

Brushcutting :

• will be undertaken in all conditions for which it is safe, including slopes up to the maximum allowed by applicable regulations

Disposing of  may include:

• recycling cut vegetation
• redirecting cut vegetation for energy recovery

Competency field 

Forest Growing and Management