Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the outcomes required to conduct loader operations including planning and preparation for work, conducting operational checks, the safe and effective operation of the loader for a range of mandatory tasks, the use of attachments and operator maintenance activities

Compliance with licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may be required in various jurisdictions

This unit replaces FPIHAR3205B Conduct loader operations

Application of the unit 

The unit involves conducting loader operations in a forest environment

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

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills

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.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Plan and prepare for loader  operations

1.1. Applicable Occupational Health and Safety  (OHS), environmental , legislative  and organisational requirements  relevant to conducting loader operations are identified and followed

1.2. Site environmental protection measures  are adhered to in line with relevant legislation and regulations

1.3. Work order  is reviewed and checked with appropriate personnel 

1.4. Type and quantity of material to be moved with a loader  is assessed and prepared

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

1.6. Loader operations are planned in line with site procedures and environmental and heritage concerns 

1.7. Communication  with others is established and maintained in line with OHS requirements

2. Operate loader

2.1. All work is conducted in line with work order, environmental and OHS requirements

2.2. Pre start -up checks  are carried out on equipment in line with manufacturer's recommendations and site requirements

2.3. Loader controls and functions, including implements or other attachments, brakes and manoeuvrability are checked for serviceability and any faults are rectified or reported

2.4. Site hazards  associated with loader operations are detected and safe operating techniques are used to minimise risk

2.5. Operating techniques for the loader are applied to achieve optimum efficiency in line with manufacturer's design specifications

2.6. Loader is operated to work instructions in line with company operating procedures

2.7. Emergency plan procedures are  followed in  line with OHS , environmental , legal and site requirements 

3. Attach, secure, lift, carry and place materials

3.1. Communication practices associated with transportation and lifting of materials are conducted in line with site procedures and continued between parties

3.2. Weight of load  is established in line with site procedures

3.3. Lifting gear  is selected, attached and used in line with safe working load requirements and OHS legislation

3.4. Machinery is positioned ensuring stability  and located to effectively shift materials in line with job specifications

3.5. Load is shifted safely and effectively in line with industry safety standards and manufacturer's' specifications

3.6. Load is moved in line with conventional hand and audible signals that meet OHS legislation and/or work site procedures

4. Segregate and stack logs

4.1. Planned landing layout and log handling procedures are identified from work order

4.2. Location of stacks provides space for other landing operations and access to all appropriate site equipment

4.3. Log stacks are positioned and maintained in accordance with planned layout to provide for anticipated stock levels, stock rotation requirements, size, segregation of lengths, species and grades

4.4. Stacks are constructed to provide stability and minimise problems from slippage and falling of logs

4.5. Logs delivered to landing are visually assessed 

4.6. Logs are directed or moved to appropriate location for further processing or stacking consistent with species, diameter, length, grade, landing layout and stock rotation requirements

4.7. Logs are identified and records maintained in accordance with standard site procedures

5. Load and unload logs

5.1. Work is planned to minimise equipment and log movement and to load/unload logs safely in accordance with regulations and site operating plans and procedures

5.2. Loader is positioned to enable access to the logs to be loaded/unloaded within load reach and movement limits

5.3. Weight of logs is estimated  to determine lifting  requirement and compliance to load plate

5.4. Logs are segregated or selected by size and grade in accordance with work requirements and logs suitable for base and side of load are selected, transferred and placed

5.5. Individual logs are separated and rolled/lifted using all relevant movements in accordance with normal equipment operating procedures

5.6. Logs are bunched using lifting gear to optimise loaded movements

5.7. Trial lift is carried out when warranted by load size or stability and load is lowered for corrective action to be taken where unacceptable operational situation is revealed

5.8. Loads are lifted, turned and placed using all relevant equipment movements in accordance with standards and regulations to achieve optimum load shape

5.9. Logs which do not meet requirements for size or grade - within the scope of operator's knowledge - are rejected or referred to others for regrading

5.10. Logs are supported or compressed to enable placement of slipper or chocks where necessary

5.11. Placement of logs meets all requirements for positioning, ensuring stability of load and stack is maintained at all times

6. Carry out machine operator maintenance

6.1. Loader is safely parked, shut-down and prepared for maintenance in line with manufacturer's manual and organisational requirements

6.2. Inspection and fault finding processes are conducted in line with manufacturer's recommendations and organisational requirements

6.3. Defective parts are removed and replaced safely and effectively in line with manufacturer's manual and organisational requirements

6.4. Regular programmed maintenance tasks are carried out in line with manufacturer's and organisational requirements

6.5. Work area is cleared and waste materials are disposed of or recycled in line with site environmental management plan

6.6. Plant, tools and equipment are cleaned, checked, maintained and stored in line with manufacturer's recommendations and standard work practices

6.7. Loader operational records and reports  are completed accurately and processed in line with site procedures

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• Technical skills sufficient to use and maintain relevant tools, machinery and equipment and efficiently and safely operate a loader
• Communication skills and interpersonal techniques sufficient to interact appropriately with colleagues and others in the workplace
• Literacy skills sufficient to accurately record and report workplace information, and maintain documentation
• Numeracy skills sufficient to estimate, measure and calculate time required to complete a task
• Problem solving skills sufficient to identify problems and equipment faults and demonstrate appropriate response procedures

Required knowledge 

• Applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices relevant to the full range of processes for conducting loader operations
• Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material and the cleaning of plant, tools and equipment
• Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for conducting loader operations
• Loader operating techniques
• Loader capabilities and attachments
• Established communication channels and protocols
• Problem identification and resolution strategies and common fault finding techniques
• Types of tools and equipment and procedures for their safe use and maintenance including equipment safety requirements
• Appropriate mathematical procedures for estimating and measuring, including calculating time to complete tasks
• Procedures for recording and reporting workplace records and information

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 

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can safely and efficiently conduct loader operations in line with organisational requirements

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 conducting loader operations
• following organisational policies and procedures relevant to conducting loader operations
• communicating effectively and working safely with others in the work area
• conducting loader operations in line with site requirements

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 must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills
• 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

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Loader 

• is a self-propelled, tracked, wheeled, stationary or purpose designed machine
• can load or excavate through forward motion of the machine
• can lift, transport and discharge material

OHS requirements :

are to be in line with applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:

• personal protective equipment and clothing
• safety equipment
• first aid equipment
• fire fighting equipment
• hazard and risk control
• fatigue management
• elimination of hazardous materials and substances
• safe forest practices including required actions relating to forest fire
• manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying

Environmental requirements may include :

• legislation
• organisational policies and procedures
• workplace practices

Legislative requirements :

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
• 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 procedures
• ethical standards
• recording and reporting requirements
• equipment use and maintenance and storage requirements
• environmental management requirements (waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)

Environmental protection measures 

may include action to limit the impact to:

• ground growth and canopy
• soil and water

may include action to limit the impact of:

• general forest lean
• wind speed and direction
• fallen trees
• density of trees
• ground slope
• ground hazards
• obstacles

Work order  is to include:

• instructions for the operation of a loader and its respective tasks

and may include:

• instructions for the environmental monitoring of work and procedures
• environmental care requirements relevant to the work

Appropriate personnel  may include:

• supervisors
• suppliers
• clients
• colleagues
• managers

Equipment  is to include:

• loaders
• relevant maintenance equipment
• procedures for equipment lock-out such as protecting operators and co-workers from accidental injury by isolating the machine

Environmental and heritage concerns  may include:

• dust
• noise
• water
• flora and fauna
• heritage legislation
• culturally sensitive sites and artefacts
• plantations
• native forest

Communication  may include:

• verbal and non-verbal language
• hand or other agreed signals
• eye contact with other operators or personnel
• active listening
• questioning to clarify and confirm understanding
• use of electronic communication devices

Pre start-up checks 

are conducted to ensure:

• equipment has been set-up correctly
• plant is operating to optimum performance

Hazards  may include:

• uneven/unstable terrain
• trees
• fires
• overhead and underground services
• bridges
• buildings
• excavations
• traffic
• embankment
• cuttings
• structures and hazardous materials

Emergency plan  may include:

• notification of authorities
• evacuation procedures
• isolation procedures
• equipment shut-down procedures
• clean up
• first aid
• use of personal protective equipment and clothing
• guarding
• access and exit

Weight of load 

is that prescribed by the manufacturer as not exceeding the allowable capacity of the loader

Lifting gear  may include:

• slings
• cables
• grabs

Stability 

is to ensure the loader is positioned and operates so as not to topple over during operations

Visual assessment  of logs includes identifying and determining:

• species
• diameter
• length
• grade
• landing layout
• stock rotation requirements

Estimation 

of timber weight is used to determine lifting requirements and compliance to load plate

Lifting 

may be conducted on a trial basis when an issue with load size or stability or other unacceptable operational situation is determined

Tasks  may include:

• tree removal
• stripping
• spreading materials
• stockpiling
• loading and unloading of trucks
• loading mill decks
• segregating and splitting of logs
• bulk excavation
• towing equipment
• working in tandem
• winching
• boxing

Records and reports  may include:

• end of shift documentation
• work log

and may be:

• manual
• using a computer-based system or another appropriate organisational communication system

Competency field 

Harvesting and Haulage