Unit of competency details

Elements and Performance Criteria 

Element 

Performance Criteria 

1

Prepare for trimming and cross cutting

1.1

Applicable Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), legislative  and organisational  requirements relevant to trimming and cross cutting  felled trees are identified and complied with

1.2

Site environmental protection measures  are adhered to in accordance with relevant legislation and regulations

1.3

Work order  is reviewed and clarified with appropriate personnel 

1.4

Logs  to be trimmed  and cross cut  are identified in accordance with work order

1.5

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

1.6

Trimming and cross cutting activities are planned in accordance with site procedures

1.7

Communication  with others is established and maintained in accordance with OHS requirements

2

Assess felled trees

2.1

Environmental conditions  are assessed and used to plan the cutting of each tree

2.2

Movement and whereabouts of other personnel is monitored and work modified to be in accordance with OHS regulations

2.3

Tree, location and stability are assessed for conditions likely to affect safety of cross cutting activities

2.4

Tree is visually assessed for defects  and removal status

2.5

Trees unable to be cut safely are identified and referred to appropriate personnel

3

Plan cutting

3.1

Tree is moved or stabilised for safe cutting in accordance with site standards and regulations

3.2

Cutting pattern  is selected to optimise time and manageable removal of the sections

3.3

Sequence of cross cuts  is planned to maintain control of cut sections and minimise cutting problems

3.4

Debris is cleared from the work area to prevent saw damage or injury in accordance with OHS requirements

4

Trim and cross cut fallen trees

4.1

Pre start-up checks  are carried out on equipment in accordance with site requirements

4.2

Tree section on each side of planned cut is secured and potential movement assessed and planned for

4.3

Saw is operated to cut tree and cutting technique is adjusted in response to movement and condition of the tree in accordance with safety regulations

4.4

Unexpected characteristics of a tree are assessed and planning reviewed

4.5

Cross cut is completed once initiated in accordance with OHS and site requirements

4.6

Trimming and cross cutting processes and equipment faults are recorded and reported  to the appropriate personnel

5

Conduct operator maintenance

5.1

Chain  is checked for blunt or damaged condition

5.2

Chain and other components are removed, sharpened, maintained, adjusted and replaced in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations

5.3

Chainsaw set-up is assessed and adjusted to suit cutting conditions

5.4

Chainsaw is properly maintained and checked to comply with relevant standards prior to use

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level , required for this unit 

Required skills include :

comply with legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices and procedures for trimming and cross cutting felled trees

review and accurately identify work requirements

select, use and maintain relevant equipment

safely and effectively trim and cross cut felled trees

identify problems and equipment faults and demonstrate appropriate response procedures

use appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques with colleagues and others

accurately locate, record and report information

Required knowledge and understanding includes :

basic knowledge and understanding of applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements and codes of practice relevant to the full range of processes for trimming and cross cutting felled trees

organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for trimming and cross cutting felled trees

environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material

principles of cultural diversity and access and equity

established communication channels and protocols

problem identification and resolution

characteristics of trees and types of timber defects that may affect cutting

cutting patterns and sequences

chainsaw operation, safety and maintenance procedures

industry standard lengths

procedures for recording and reporting workplace information

appropriate mathematical procedures for estimating and measuring, including calculating time to complete tasks

KEY COMPETENCIES 

The seven key competencies represent generic skills considered necessary for effective participation by an individual in the workplace Performance Level 1 - at this level, the candidate is required to undertake tasks effectively Performance Level 2 - at this level, the candidate is required to manage tasks Performance Level 3 - at this level, the candidate is required to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping task

Key Competency 

Example of Application 

Performance Level 

How are ideas and information communicated?

By completing all required records and documentation

1

How can information be collected, analysed and organised?

By reviewing, confirming and clarifying work order requirements

1

How are activities planned and organised?

By planning and preparing for trimming and cross cutting activities

2

How is team work used?

By communicating with other personnel

1

How are mathematical ideas and techniques used?

By cutting material to industry standard lengths

1

How are problem solving skills applied?

By performing equipment pre start-up checks to ensure equipment is ready for operation

1

How is the use of technology applied?

By maintaining equipment

1

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Packag

Overview of assessment 

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can safely and efficiently trim and cross cut felled trees within organisational requirements

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Comply with applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice, including OHS, environmental and organisational policies and procedures, relevant to trimming and cross cutting felled trees

Compliance with applicable licensing or certification requirements

Effectively communicate and work safely with others in the work area

Efficiently trim and cross cut felled trees in accordance with work order requirements

Effectively conduct operator maintenance on a chainsaw

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 essential underpinning knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian Standards requirements

The following resources should be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace

materials and equipment relevant to trimming and cross cutting felled trees

specifications and work instructions

Method of assessment 

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI05 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 underpinning knowledge

Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on underpinning knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of key competencies

Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access and correctly interpret and apply the essential underpinning 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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below 

OHS requirements are to be in accordance with Commonwealth , State or Territory legislation and regulations , and organisational safety policies and procedures . Requirements may include :

the use of personal protective equipment and clothing

safety equipment

first aid equipment

fire fighting equipment

hazard and risk control

elimination of hazardous materials and substances

safe forest practices

awareness of danger zone for kickback

manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying

erection of warning signs

high visibility vest

potential falling objects

falling procedures for cross cutting on slops

Legislative requirements are to be in accordance with applicable legislation from all levels of government that affect organisational operation . Requirements 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, ethical standards, recording and reporting, access and equity principles and practices, equipment use, maintenance and storage, environmental management (waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)

Cross cutting 

is to be completed standing on the uphill side

is to include the process of cutting directly across the diameter of a log - horizontal or at an angle

Environmental protection measures 

may include noise, 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. Measures may also include contingencies for modifying operations during wet or other adverse weather conditions

Work order 

is to include instructions for the trimming, cross cutting and despatch of felled trees from the work site and may include type, size, length, quantity, grade, track clearance, hazardous trees

Appropriate personnel 

may include supervisors, suppliers, clients, colleagues and managers

Logs 

are to include the finished product or trunk of a tree after trimming and cross cutting has occurred

Trimming 

is to include trimming off branches, burls and other small growths

Equipment 

may include chainsaws, specific safety attire and maintenance tools and equipment

is to include procedures for chainsaw lock-out, ie protecting operators and co-workers from accidental injury by isolating the machine

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 and body language

Environmental conditions 

may include ground growth, ground slope, ground hazards and obstacles

Defects 

may include splits, falling damage, fire damage, infestation, pipe, shake, twist, and branch/knot locations

Cutting pattern 

is to include the best direction or angle for making a cut

Sequence of cross cuts 

is to include the plan of cuts to optimise time and recovery of logs

Pre start -up checks 

are conducted to ensure equipment has been set up correctly, the systems are performing accurately and operating to optimum performance

Records and reports 

may include details of tree type, size, length, diameter, inspection, grading and labelling outcomes, storage locations, quality outcomes, hazards, incidents or equipment malfunctions

may be manual, using a computer-based system or another appropriate organisational communication system

Chain 

is to include the fast moving component surrounding the chainsaw blade containing many linked teeth