Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of climbing small trees with ropes and harness for the purpose of pruning and defines the standard required to: carry out pre-operational and safety checks; identify and report site and tree hazards and implement risk controls; select, prepare and inspect ropes, harnesses and other equipment associated with climbing trees; safely climb/ascend and descend a tree with rope and harness; climb using documented low risk work methods; inspect for faults and store ropes, harnesses and other climbing and safety equipment and record and replace if worn or faulty.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to the basic techniques used to climb trees in Arboriculture and applies to a climbing tree worker. This standard involves working under routine supervision with intermittent checking by supervisors or qualified arborists. Climbing techniques follow documented low risk work methods and procedures.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for climbing operations

1.1. Climbing instructions and methods are determined according to enterprise Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

1.2. Hazards associated with the climb are identified and reported to the supervisor.

1.3. Climbing tools and equipment are selected, prepared and used according to supervisor's instructions and manufacturer's guidelines.

2. Tie knots required for tree climbing operations

2.1. Ropes specific to the task are selected and inspected for wear, damage and soundness.

2.2. Industry recognised knots are used in accordance with the required application.

2.3. All knots are checked on completion in accordance with established workplace practice.

3. Climb trees in a low hazard work environment

3.1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety equipment is selected, maintained and used according to enterprise procedures.

3.2. Climbing is undertaken using standard industry methods, enterprise SOPs and according to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• identify hazards and report risks
• select and prepare climbing tools and equipment
• select and inspect ropes
• use industry recognised knots
• climb trees and use ropes
• estimate tree heights and loads
• interpret supervisors directions and communicate with fellow team members
• minimise noise, dust, and high activity vehicle traffic to prevent nuisance-level environmental disturbance
• follow guidelines, instructions and supervision
• participate and contribute to team objectives
• use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• basic climbing principles and preparation procedures
• basic climbing techniques and planning
• safe working limit of ropes
• safe work practices relevant to tree climbing activities
• tree anatomy and physiology
• local government tree protection and preservation regulations
• AS4373-2007 Pruning of amenity trees
• relevant Code of Practice.

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 

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 workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• carry out pre-operational and safety checks
• identify and report site and tree hazards, and implement risk controls
• select, prepare and inspect ropes, harnesses and other equipment associated with climbing trees
• safely climb/ascend and descend a tree with rope and harness
• climb using documented low risk work methods
• inspect for faults and store ropes, harnesses and other climbing and safety equipment and record and replace if worn or faulty.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Trees may include:

• all species of trees and woody tree like vegetation forms where trees are healthy, free from decay, disease and pests, and are free from embedded objects such as wire, nails or spikes and are NOT prone to branch failure.

Knots may include knots such as:

• bowline
• bowline on a bight
• tautline
• prussik
• figure 8
• clove hitch
• half hitch.

Unit sector 

Arboriculture

Co-requisite units 

Competency field