Unit of competency details

Version 

Code and title of equivalent unit of competency 

2.0

Title corrected. No other changes

1.0

No equivalent unit

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the outcomes required to apply wood and timber product knowledge in the workplace and promote the benefits of wood and timber products to a range of customers and other stakeholders. It involves identifying products and providing accurate information to customers about products.

Application of the unit  

The unit applies in a variety of work settings, including warehousing and logistics and wholesale and retail sales.

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

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

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.

1. Develop knowledge of wood and timber products

1.1 Information sources  for wood and timber products are identified and evaluated for reliability, validity and currency in line with organisational policies and procedures 

1.2 Wood and timber product certification bodies, schemes  and their roles are researched

1.3 Properties of wood and timber  are identified

1.4 Main features  of timber products  are identified

1.5 Differences between imported wood and timber products and Australian wood and timber products are explored and clarified with relevant personnel 

2. Relate wood and timber product knowledge to own workplace

2.1 Appropriate work/occupational health and safety (WHS/OHS) , environmental  and organisational policies and procedures relevant to applying wood and timber product knowledge are identified and followed

2.2 Production process  is identified and reviewed

2.3 Advice is sought from supervisors and colleagues about current wood and timber product issues 

2.4 Common wood and timber treatment methods, preservatives and exposure hazards are identified and reviewed

2.5 Organisation’s position within the forest and forest products industry is identified

2.6 Timber coatings and finishes  are matched to a specific use

2.7 Currency  of wood and timber product knowledge is maintained

3. Promote wood and timber products

3.1 Characteristics  of timber are promoted to stakeholders  according to organisational procedures

3.2 Information is provided to stakeholders  about wood and timber products and their respective advantages  in response to requests and questions and according to organisational procedures

3.3 Advice is given on appropriate timber(s)  for specific end uses 

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 develop knowledge of wood and timber products and promote those products in the workplace.

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 applying wood and timber product knowledge
• following organisational policies and procedures relevant to applying and communicating wood and timber product knowledge
• knowledge of products applicable to enterprise requirements
• benefits of common wood and timber types for different end uses
• suitable species and product types for a range of wood and timber applications
• ability to provide advice regarding wood and timber products to stakeholders.

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 may be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required 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 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

Information sources  may include:

• Australian standards
• National Construction Code
• manufacturer and supplier websites and literature
• industry organisation websites

Organisational policies and procedures: 

• 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
• the environment
• relevant industry codes of practice
• organisational and site guidelines relating to developing and applying product knowledge
• policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility
• procedure manuals
• quality and continuous improvement processes and standards
• recording and reporting requirements

Certification bodies and schemes  may include:

• Australian Forestry Standard (AFS)
• Australian standards for forest management and chain of custody
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
• environmental management systems
• Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)
• Australian Wood Packaging Certification Scheme

Properties of wood and timber  may include

• durability
• density
• sawing orientation
• strength group
• shrinkage
• joint strength
• lyctus susceptibility
• fire rating
• hardness

Main features  may include:

• carbon sequestration, capture and storage
• sustainability and renewability
• low energy/emissions
• cost to produce

Timber products  may include:

• furniture
• paper products
• packaging
• timber
• wood panel products (plywood, MDF, particleboard)
• sawn timber
• round timber
• treated timber
• glue laminated timber
• wood composites
• biofuels

Relevant personnel  may include:

• supervisors
• colleagues
• industry associations
• suppliers

WHS/OHS requirements: 

• are to be in line with commonwealth, state or territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:

• safety equipment, including personal protective equipment and clothing
• first-aid equipment
• fire-fighting equipment
• hazard and risk control
• fatigue management
• elimination of hazardous materials and substances
• manual handling, including shifting, lifting and carrying

Environmental requirements  may include:

• organisational policies and procedures
• workplace practices
• sustainability and environmental management requirements, including waste minimisation and disposal, recycling and reuse guidelines
• energy efficiency measures

Production process  may include:

• sawmilling
• preservation
• panel production
• glue lamination
• fabrication (trusses)

Timber coatings and finishes  may include:

• oils
• paints
• stains
• brush or spray-on preservative
• weather protection

Maintaining currency  may include:

• asking appropriate questions of supervisors and managers
• sourcing information about new wood products to provide to stakeholders

Characteristics  may include:

• moisture content
• stability in service
• grade
• colour
• strength to weight ratio
• strength rating
• treated timber
• wood types

Stakeholders  may include:

• architects
• builders
• craft workers
• furniture makers
• do-it-yourself (DIY) home handy person
• wood workers

Advantages  may include:

• appearance
• certification
• durability
• structural performance and efficiency sustainability:

• insulation properties
• environmentally attractive
• ease of modification
• thermal performance

Appropriate timber(s)  may include:

• hazard level
• wood product type
• sustainability criteria
• timber grading (structural and aesthetic)
• wood species

End uses  may include:

• artist works
• craft making
• construction, including framing
• fire rated applications
• flooring
• indoor furniture
• indoor applications, such as doorframe and architraves
• outdoor furniture
• outdoor applications, such as decking, fencing, verandahs, balconies and stairs
• toys