Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the outcomes required to direct choker setters, plan for and navigate the extraction or breakout of logs to the landing and the transmission of signals to the yarder for cable logging operations

Compliance with licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may be required in various jurisdictions

This unit replaces FPIHAR3201A Monitor log recovery (rigging slinger)

Application of the unit 

The unit involves monitoring log recovery (rigging slinger) in a forest and forest products setting

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

Prerequisite units 

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 rigging slinger  operations

1.1. Applicable Occupational Health and Safety  (OHS), environmental , legislative  and organisational requirements  relevant to monitoring log recovery (rigging slinger) are identified and followed

1.2. Work order  is reviewed and checked with appropriate personnel 

1.3. Type and quantity of logs  to be extracted is identified and assessed for safe working conditions and environmental protection measures 

1.4. Equipment  is selected appropriate to work requirements and checked for operational effectiveness in line with manufacturer's recommendations

1.5. Rigging slinger and cable operation  activities are planned in line with site procedures

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

2. Plan breakout

2.1. All work is conducted in line with work order, environmental and OHS requirements

2.2. Audible or visual signal system  to be used is identified

2.3. Site , the rigged cable system and landing  are assessed for slope, haul line, backline, lift capacity and landing chute

2.4. Obstacles  to extraction operations are identified and avoidance plan is developed

2.5. Logs to be recovered using current and future haul lines are identified

2.6. Extraction pattern  for the typical number and size of logs to be hauled on each turn is planned using assessment information

2.7. Line shifts  are planned during hauling, future rigging points established and rigging is prepared

3. Direct hook up of logs

3.1. Specific logs for next turn are selected prior to return of butt rigging in line with planned operation

3.2. Stability  of logs to be extracted is assessed and precautions are taken against movement in line with the logging code of practice

3.3. Choker setters  are directed to prepare and hook up logs ready for extraction

3.4. Haul signals are given when all persons are clear from logs and bight of ropes using signalling systems in line with the cable logging code of practice

3.5. Log movement is monitored and stopped for corrective action when difficulties occur

3.6. Control of movement is maintained using signalling systems until payload is in clear sight of the yarder  operator

3.7. Breakout processes and equipment faults are recorded and reported  in line with site procedures

4. Assist with line shifts

4.1. All logs to be hauled with existing line position are cleared before line shift is initiated

4.2. Stumps are notched  in line with code requirements for the rigging method to be used

4.3. Slack is pulled in on all lines prior to release of existing rigging

4.4. Rigging components  are dismantled from the existing line, checked and set up on the new line

4.5. Obstructions which may cause binding or damage during hauling are moved as required

4.6. Spars, tail trees and intermediate supports are rigged in line with site 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 use and maintain relevant tools, machinery and equipment; accurately notch stumps; effectively set up and dismantle rigging components
• Communication skills and interpersonal techniques sufficient to interact appropriately with colleagues and others in the workplace
• Literacy skills sufficient to accurately locate, record and report information
• Numeracy skills sufficient to estimate measure and calculate including time required to complete a task
• Problem solving skills sufficient to review and accurately identify work requirements; identify problems and equipment faults and 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 monitoring log recovery (rigging slinger)
• Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material and the cleaning of plant, tools and equipment
• Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for monitoring log recovery (rigging slinger)
• Characteristics of trees
• Log extraction methods
• Cable logging techniques
• Rigging techniques and signal systems
• Industry standard lengths
• 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, operation and maintenance
• Appropriate mathematical procedures for estimating and measuring, including calculating time to complete tasks
• Procedures for recording and 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 monitor log recovery (rigging slinger) operations to recover felled logs within 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 monitor log recovery (rigging slinger)
• following organisational policies and procedures relevant to monitoring log recovery (rigging slinger)
• performing rigging slinger operations to recover felled logs in line with the work order and within prescribed organisational tolerances
• planning the breakout process in line with site conditions
• assisting in shifting lines in line with the hook tender's instructions

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.

Rigging slinger  role includes:

• deciding what timber to take out first and being responsible for getting the timber to the landing without breaking it
• directing the choker setter personnel in hooking up timber
• transmitting signals to and from the yarder

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

Work order  is to include:

• instructions for the rigging slinger operations to recover felled logs from the work site

and may include:

• type
• size
• length
• quantity
• grade
• instructions for the environmental monitoring of work and procedures
• environmental care requirements relevant to the work

Appropriate personnel  may include:

• supervisors
• suppliers
• clients
• colleagues
• managers

Logs  are to include:

• the finished product or trunk of a tree after trimming and cross cutting has occurred

and may be:

• hardwood or softwood
• for production or non-production purposes

Environmental protection measures  may include:

• ground growth
• canopy
• general forest lean
• wind speed and direction
• fallen trees
• density of trees
• ground slope
• soil and water protection
• ground hazards and obstacles
• contingencies for modifying operations during wet or other adverse weather conditions

Equipment  may include:

• rigging equipment

Cable operations  may include:

• activities covering a full range of species, log sizes, falling and retention densities, slope, other environmental conditions
• use of cable systems including high lead (no skyline), standing skyline and a running skyline with hauling both uphill and downhill
• logs attached optimising payload without exceeding the lift or haul capacity of the system

Communication  may include:

• verbal and non-verbal language
• hand or other agreed signals
• eye contact with other operators or personnel
• active listening
• questioning to clarify and confirm understanding
• use of electronic communication devices

Signal system  may include:

• whistle signals
• visual signals
• two-way radio
• talk-e-tooter signals
• other audible signals

Site 

is the location where tree felling activities have occurred

Landing 

is the location where the yarder is positioned to receive the logs

Obstacles  may include:

• standing trees
• stumps
• rocks
• ground projections

Extraction pattern 

is the method of removing the log from the work site with mechanical equipment and cables, considering site conditions and specific log location, in a way that minimises downtime and risk of snags, breakage and hang ups

Line shifts 

is the moving of rigging lines from one area of operation to a new area

Stability 

is the physical stability of the log in-situ, that it is safe to hook up and not likely to roll off a rock, move on another log or slide down the hillside

Choker setters 

hook up the logs at the felling site

Yarder 

is the crane-like vehicle which winches the logs

from the felling site to the landing using a cable system

Records and reports  may include:

• extraction methods
• tree type
• size
• length
• diameter
• inspection
• quality outcomes
• hazards
• incidents
• equipment malfunctions

and may be:

• manual
• using a computer-based system or another appropriate organisational communication system

Stump notching 

is the process for securing rigging components, cables and ropes

Rigging components  may include:

• strawlines
• blocks
• sheaves
• ropes
• shackles
• pins
• skyline
• tail rope
• lines
• straps
• mobile tail anchors
• spars
• intermediate supports
• bridling

Unit sector 

No sector assigned

Co-requisite units 

Competency field 

Harvesting and Haulage