Unit of competency details
AHCARB403 - Perform a ground-based tree defect evaluation (Release 1)
Summary
Usage recommendation:
Superseded
Releases:
| 1 1 (this release) |
27/Jun/2016 |
Companion volumes:
Unit of competency
Assessment requirements
Training packages that include this unit
Qualifications that include this unit
Classifications
Classification history
| ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier | 050301 | Horticulture | 14/Oct/2016 | |
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Unit of competency
Modification History
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Release
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TP Version
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Comment
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1
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AHCv1.0
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Initial release
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Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to examine trees from the ground in order to evaluate the increased likelihood of failure of trees or tree parts.
This unit applies to individuals who supervise others and provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems. Work is implemented with low risk work procedures and to comply with Safe Work Method documentation.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit in some states and territories at the time of publication, and may differ according to jurisdiction. Specific determination should be sought through the relevant State or Territory. Works involving this unit of competency may be subject to local tree protection and preservation laws, the relevant content of applicable Australian Standards and Safe Australia Code of Practice.
Pre-requisite Unit
AHCARB302 Inspect trees for access and work*
AHCARB313 Identify trees
Unit Sector
Arboriculture (ARB)
Elements and Performance Criteria
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Element
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Performance criteria
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Elements describe the essential outcomes.
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Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.
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1. Determine evaluation requirements
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1.1 Confirm trees to be evaluated in accordance with client brief
1.2 Undertake a site-specific risk assessment by identifying work health and safety hazards and assessing risk
1.3 Determine targets that need to be considered
1.4 Determine tree hazard benchmarks appropriate for project
1.5 Record and implement work health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures
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2. Examine visual tree indicators
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2.1 Inspect tree from ground
2.2 Determine tree health
2.3 Examine tree anatomy and morphology for past failures
2.4 Examine tree for outwardly apparent defects
2.5 Examine tree for visual indicators of concealed defects
2.6 Examine tree for visual indicators of disease leading to structural failure
2.7 Examine tree for visual indicators of organisms causing damage leading to structural failure
2.8 Determine if failure is likely to result in target being impacted
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3. Undertake basic testing
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3.1 Sound for cavities suggested by openings and visual indicators
3.2 Probe any accessible cavities and openings
3.3 Expose root crown where required
3.4 Remove loose bark where appropriate
3.5 Determine whether tree or tree parts are a hazard in accordance with benchmarks
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4. Record tree attribute and indicators
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4.1 Photograph and record tree species and site of tree
4.2 Record the health and approximate dimensions of the tree
4.3 Record and photograph the defects and visual indicators
4.4 Describe, illustrate and indicate on image or device, the approximate location on the tree
4.5 Record approximate dimensions of affected tree part and defect
4.6 Record results of evaluation
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5. Mitigate risk and document actions
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5.1 Advise client immediately of evaluation, where a tree poses an imminent threat
5.2 Take action as instructed in accordance with work place policies and client brief
5.3 Isolate the tree or move target as instructed in accordance with work place policies and client brief
5.4 Document immediate actions taken
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6. Document and report hazards and recommendations
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6.1 Compile hazard evaluation documentation
6.2 Recommend further action of including aerial inspection and load testing or seek further advice from a consulting arborist
6.3 Determine and document any tree work required to mitigate risks
6.4 Submit tree hazard evaluation report to client or employer
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Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range of Conditions
Unit Mapping Information
New unit - no equivalent.
Links
Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72
Assessment requirements
Modification History
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Release
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TP Version
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Comment
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1
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AHCv1.0
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Initial release
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Performance Evidence
The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
The candidate must provide evidence for and demonstrate:
- confirming trees to be evaluated in accordance with client brief
- undertaking a site-specific risk assessment by identifying work health and safety hazards and assessing risk
- determining targets that need to be considered
- determining tree hazard benchmarks appropriate for project
- recording and implementing work health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures
- inspecting tree from ground
- determining tree health
- examining tree for past failures
- examining tree for visual indicators of outwardly apparent defects
- examining tree for visual indicators of concealed defects
- examining tree for visual indicators of disease leading to structural failure
- determining if failure is likely to result in target being impacted
- sounding for cavities suggested by openings and visual indicators
- probing any accessible cavities and openings
- exposing root crown where required
- removing loose bark where appropriate
- determining if tree exceeds tree hazard benchmarks for project
- photographing and recording tree species and site of tree
- recording health and approximate dimensions of the tree
- recording and photographing defects and visual indicators
- describing, illustrating and indicating on image or device, the approximate location on the tree
- recording approximate dimensions of affected tree part and defect
- recording results and advising client of evaluation
- advising client immediately of evaluation where a tree poses an imminent threat
- taking action as instructed in accordance with work place policies and client brief
- isolating the tree or move target as instructed in accordance with work place policies and client brief
- documenting immediate actions taken.
- compiling hazard evaluation documentation
- recommending further action of aerial inspection and load testing or seek further advice from a consulting arborist
- determining and documenting any tree work required to mitigate risks
- submitting tree hazard evaluation report to client or employer
- use of industry standard terminology to describe hazard evaluation.
Knowledge Evidence
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
- client briefs
- site-specific risk assessment
- work health and safety hazards and assessing risk
- targets and the role of targets in tree risk assessment
- tree hazard benchmarks
- work health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures
- tree inspections
- tree health
- methods of determining tree health
- tree anatomy and morphology for past failures
- tree examinations for outwardly apparent defects
- tree examinations for visual indicators of concealed defects
- tree examinations for visual indicators of disease leading to structural failure
- tree examinations for visual indicators of organisms causing damage leading to structural failure
- likelihood of target impaction
- cavity sounding and probing techniques
- visual indicators of root crowns and bark
- determination whether tree or tree parts are a hazard in accordance with benchmarks
- photography and recording of tree species, site of tree, approximate location of trees, and defects and visual indicators
- health and approximate dimensions of the tree and affected tree part and defect
- imminent threat
- tree isolation methods
- methods of moving targets
- documentation of hazard evaluation
- risk mitigation
- recommendations of aerial inspection and load testing
- advice from a consulting arborist
- presentation of reports.
Assessment Conditions
It is an industry requirement for competency in this unit that assessment includes a minimum of twenty (20) ground-based tree defect evaluations, and requires a minimum of at least one (1) consultation with a consulting arborist to participate in a ground-based tree defect evaluation. The evaluations are required to cover twenty separate and individual trees, of a minimum of fifteen (15) different tree species, and each of the evaluations is required to be a whole-of-tree investigation.
Assessment must be demonstrated consistently over time in a suitable range of contexts and have a productivity-based outcome. No single assessment event or report is sufficient to achieve competency in this unit.
Assessment may be conducted in a simulated or real work environment, however determination of competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions.
The mandatory equipment and materials used to gather evidence for assessment include:
- trees
- cross-sectioned tree visual indicators of defects and diseases
- site-specific risk assessment form
- defect evaluation form
- tree evaluation report
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs in the assessment of arboriculture units of competency.
Assessment must be conducted only by persons who have:
- arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed
- current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed
Links
Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72
