Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of protecting trees by installing protective devices and defines the standard required to: select tools and equipment for protecting trees prior to construction activities; install protective measures around trees to prevent them from damage; clean up materials and maintain worksite.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to the process of protecting trees during construction work and relates working under routine supervision with intermittent checking. Responsibility for some roles and coordination within a team may be required. Tree protection at this level requires the application of knowledge and skills to a broad range of tasks.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare to install

1.1. Enterprise work procedures related to the task are received and confirmed.

1.2. Trees to be protected, and method of protection to be used, are identified accurately from enterprise work procedures.

1.3. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified, risks assessed and reported to the supervisor.

1.4. Suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected, used and maintained.

1.5. Tools and equipment appropriate to the task being undertaken are prepared and used according to enterprise OHS requirements.

1.6. Protection devices or materials to assemble devices are collected and checked against requirements as indicated in enterprise work procedures.

2. Install protection devices

2.1. Protection devices are assembled according to enterprise work procedures.

2.2. Devices are installed in line with protection plans and/or enterprise work procedures.

2.3. Work is carried out in a manner that minimises risk of damage to trees and the surrounding environment.

3. Complete installation activities

3.1. Protection devices are checked for their effectiveness according to enterprise work procedures.

3.2. Damaged and/or ineffective devices are reported to the supervisor.

3.3. A clean and safe area is maintained throughout and on completion of work.

3.4. Workplace outcomes are recorded or reported to the supervisor according to enterprise work procedures.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• interpret site maps and tree protection plans
• operate equipment such as digging equipment, traffic control devices
• assemble or build protection devices
• read and interpret site maps and protection plans including a range of graphic symbols
• follow directions for the construction or assembly of protection devices
• follow supervisors instructions
• record or report workplace outcomes
• measure materials used in construction and assembly
• calculate quantities and area
• measure and estimate height, depth and distance.

Required knowledge 

• potential damage to trees during construction work i.e. compaction, direct physical damage to trunk and crown, roots, soil contamination, changes in soil properties, environmental damage
• AS1742 Pt 3 1985 - Australian Standard Code of Practice, Work Site Traffic Management (if involved in traffic control)
• principles and techniques relating to the choice of tools and equipment for installing tree protection devices
• techniques for assembling or constructing a range of tree protection devices
• techniques and application of a range of tree protection devices suitable to the requirements of the species
• care and maintenance of trees during protection operations.

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 evidence of the following:

• select tools and equipment for protecting trees prior to construction activities
• install protective measures around trees to prevent them from damage
• clean up materials and maintain worksite.

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.

Protection methods may include:

• installation of fences, tree guards, tree plantings, barriers, retaining walls
• soil coverings
• erection of signs and bunting
• traffic re-direction devices.

Unit sector 

Landscape

Co-requisite units 

Competency field