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Unit of competency details

FWPCOT2273 - Trim and cut felled trees (Release 1)

Summary

Usage recommendation:
Current
Mapping:
MappingNotesDate
Supersedes and is equivalent to FWPCOT2256 - Trim and cut felled treesInformation added to Application. Changes to the volume/frequency of Performance Evidence to address industry needs 23/Jan/2023

Release Status:
Current
Releases:
ReleaseRelease date
1 1 (this release) 24/Jan/2023


Classifications

SchemeCodeClassification value
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050501 Forestry Studies  

Classification history

SchemeCodeClassification valueStart dateEnd date
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050501 Forestry Studies  25/Jan/2023 
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Unit of competency

Modification History

Release

Comments

Release 1

This version released with FWP Forest and Wood Products Training Package Version 8.0.

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to trim and cut felled trees with a chainsaw, and complete operator maintenance.

For the purpose of this unit of competency, a felled tree is any tree or part thereof, including, but not limited to, a tree trunk, branch or limb that has fallen or has been felled and is laying on the ground in a bushland, plantation, forested or other setting, including parkland, roadways and urban areas.

The unit applies to individuals who trim and cut felled trees as part of arboriculture, forestry, agriculture, conservation and land management, local government, emergency services and other government agency operations. With the exception of minor forest produce, this unit does not apply to commercial harvesting operations.

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, according to state/territory health and safety regulations, legislation, standards and industry codes of practice that apply to the workplace.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Common Technical (COT)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements

Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare for trimming and cutting felled trees

1.1 Determine job requirements from work order or instruction and, where required, seek clarification from appropriate personnel

1.2 Confirm workplace health and safety and environmental protection practices and/or procedures for task

1.3 Identify, assess and take actions to mitigate risks and hazards associated with trimming and cutting felled trees

1.4 Plan trimming and cutting activities according to work order or instruction and environmental conditions

1.5 Consult and maintain communication with team members and other appropriate personnel to ensure that work is coordinated effectively with others in the workplace

1.6 Obtain tools and equipment needed for the work, and check for correct operation and safety

1.7 Select, fit and use personal protective equipment

2. Assess felled trees visually

2.1 Inspect site for conditions likely to affect safe implementation of trimming and cutting activities

2.2 Identify and report site environmental conditions to supervisor

2.3 Assess felled tree visually to identify defects and stresses within felled tree

2.4 Mark felled trees too dangerous to cut safely, and refer to appropriate personnel

3. Plan cutting felled trees

3.1 Move or stabilise felled tree for safe cutting according to workplace procedures

3.2 Select cutting pattern to optimise time and ensure efficient removal of sections

3.3 Identify options for utilisation of product

3.4 Plan cutting sequence to maintain control of cut sections and minimise cutting problems

3.5 Select cutting positions, considering felled tree stresses

3.6 Clear debris from work area to allow safe access and prevent saw damage and personal injury

4. Use chainsaw to trim and cut felled trees

4.1 Monitor location and movement of other personnel, and modify work to ensure safety

4.2 Establish and maintain communication with team members to ensure safety

4.3 Secure felled tree section on each side of planned cut as required, and evaluate and control potential movement

4.4 Operate chainsaw to cut felled tree and limbs, and adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of felled tree and limbs

4.5 Apply retrieval techniques for stuck, pinched or jammed part of chainsaws

4.6 Prepare cut sections for removal from site

5. Complete equipment maintenance

5.1 Follow workplace health and safety procedures and manufacturer instructions to lock out equipment

5.2 Check chain for bluntness or damage

5.3 Remove, sharpen, adjust or replace chain and other components according to manufacturer recommendations

5.4 Report trimming and cutting records, equipment faults and maintenance requirements to appropriate personnel

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Skill

Description

Reading

  • Interpret workplace documentation to determine requirements

Writing

  • Use technical and workplace specific vocabulary to accurately and legibly complete workplace records and forms

Oral communication

  • Ask questions and actively listen to clarify contents of work plans

Unit Mapping Information

Code and title current version

Code and title previous version

Comments

Equivalence status

FWPCOT2273 Trim and cut felled trees 

FWPCOT2256 Trim and cut felled trees

Information added to Application

Changes to the volume/frequency of Performance Evidence to address industry needs

Equivalent

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=0d96fe23-5747-4c01-9d6f-3509ff8d3d47

 

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Release

Comments

Release 1

This version released with FWP Forest and Wood Products Training Package Version 8.0.

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has:

  • assessed and planned trimming and cutting of one felled tree
  • trimmed branches and cut sections of felled tree using all cuts listed below:
  • bridging cuts
  • swinging cuts
  • boring cuts
  • wedge cuts
  • ripping cuts
  • stagger or step cuts.

In performing this task, the individual has:

  • followed workplace policies and procedures, current workplace health and safety legislation, regulations and related industry standards and codes of practice applicable to trimming and cutting felled tree operations
  • checked and sharpened or changed a saw chain post trimming and cutting on one occasion according to manufacturer instructions.

Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

  • environmental protection measures suitable for a worksite where trimming and cutting operations are performed, including:
  • noise control
  • protection of flora, fauna and habitat
  • protection of soil
  • protection of water
  • disposal, recycling and reuse of waste
  • cleaning of plant, equipment and tools
  • protection of adjacent land uses and fixed assets
  • vehicle control
  • access restrictions
  • fire prevention
  • protection of cultural heritage
  • hazard control measures suitable for a worksite where trimming and cutting operations are performed, related to:
  • trees and other vegetation
  • ground conditions
  • noise
  • fire and other emergency situations
  • vehicle and traffic access
  • foot access
  • plant, tools and equipment
  • weather conditions
  • adjacent land uses
  • dangerous goods
  • tree defects and how they affect tree cutting activities, including:
  • splits
  • falling damage
  • fire damage
  • insect infestation
  • pipe
  • shake
  • twist
  • knots and resin pockets
  • the presence of foreign bodies such as stakes and nails
  • felled tree stresses and how they affect tree cutting activities, including:
  • tension (fibres being stretched)
  • compression (fibres being squashed)
  • neutral fibres
  • chainsaw cutting techniques and associated hazards, including:
  • bridging cut
  • swinging cut
  • side bind cut
  • boring cut
  • wedge cut
  • ripping cut
  • stagger or step cut
  • cutting patterns used to optimise time and recovery of product from felled trees
  • cutting sequences used to maintain control of cut sections and minimise cutting problems
  • purpose and procedures for routine operator maintenance of chainsaws
  • procedures used to free a pinched or stuck chainsaw
  • methods for assessing chain condition
  • workplace procedures specific to felled tree trimming and cutting activities, including:
  • workplace health and safety, with particular emphasis on equipment lock-out and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • communication reporting lines
  • reporting felled tree cutting outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

  • physical conditions:
  • skills must be demonstrated in the workplace or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions
  • resources, equipment and materials:
  • chainsaw and accessories
  • suitable felled trees to trim and cut
  • PPE required in trimming and cutting felled trees
  • communication system
  • specifications:
  • access to workplace health and safety and environmental protection policies and/or procedures applicable to trimming and cutting operations and chainsaw use
  • access to workplace standard operating procedures or operator manual for chainsaws.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=0d96fe23-5747-4c01-9d6f-3509ff8d3d47