Assessment Requirements for FWPHAR3221 Harvest trees manually (advanced)

Release: 1

Assessment Requirements for FWPHAR3221 Harvest trees manually (advanced)

Modification History

Release	Comment
1	Replaces equivalent unit FPIHAR3221 Harvest Trees Manually (advanced), which was first released with FPI11 Forest and Forest Products Training Package Version 2.2. This is the first release of this unit in the new standards format. Assessment requirements now specify the performance and knowledge evidence, as well as assessment conditions for this unit of competency. These sections simplify and replace components used in the previous unit format, including Required Skills and Knowledge, Evidence Guide and Range Statement.

Performance Evidence

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. If a specific volume or frequency is not stated below, then evidence must be provided that the following requirements have been performed on at least one occasion:

comply with applicable federal, state or territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice including WHS, environmental and organisational policies and procedures relevant to harvesting trees at an advanced level

comply with applicable licensing or certification requirements relevant to harvesting trees at an advanced level

effectively communicate and use safe working practices, including maintaining an awareness of other personnel activity in the work area

assess site conditions, by applying environmental protection measures, detecting hazards and own skill level for harvesting trees at an advanced level

conduct a tree assessment

Identify structural defects and stresses in trees and the impact on felling, including exclusion of trees from hand felling due to hazardous and difficult situations for assessment, monitoring and safe falling including a crown that contains dead or broken material, entanglement or malformation

plan a felling sequence for individual trees and preparing surroundings including escape route

harvest advanced trees using appropriate cuts safely without damage to personnel, equipment and surrounding environment

identify trees that are hung up

select, prepare and maintain chainsaw equipment including recognising faults, problems and malfunctions

assess, plan and safely operate chainsaw equipment to manually harvest trees at an advanced level

use tree felling techniques including scarf cutting , back cutting to provide hinge-wood and the use of wedges to assist in controlling falling direction

apply appropriate extraction methods

apply specifications as outlined in harvesting plan

Knowledge Evidence

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

Workplace health and safety (WHS) requirements including:

PPE and clothing

safety equipment

first aid equipment

firefighting equipment

hazard and risk control procedures

fatigue management procedures

appropriate signage

elimination of hazardous materials and substances procedures

safe forest practices, including required actions relating to fire

techniques for manual handling, including shifting, lifting and carrying

types and purposes of cuts to fell trees, including scarf cutting and back cutting to provide hinge-wood and maintain control of tree

typical tree defects and how these affect tree felling activities:

shakes

insect defects

knots and resin pockets

pipe

drysides

Identifying trees:

that contain hazards and are deemed unsafe to fell

considered outside own skill level

trees where cuts made may lead to loss of control of tree in felling

hazards and related risks and the impact on felling trees of:

uneven and unstable terrain

unsafe trees

fires

overhead and underground services

excavations

traffic

structures

hazardous materials

insects and animals

other personnel and machinery

methods used to remove trees that are hung up and procedures for removal

methods for assessing chain condition

cutting patterns used to optimise time to fell trees

environmental protection measures to follow when felling trees related to:

native vegetation

soil and water

heritage and archeological artefacts

flora and fauna

geomorphologic features

landscape

external site pollution

recreational opportunities

regeneration opportunities

cleaning plant, tools and equipment

disposing of, recycling and reusing timber and other waste

key features of these varying environmental conditions and their effects on advanced tree felling and harvesting activities:

general forest lean

ground growth

ground hazards and obstacles

ground slope

gullies

presence and density of seed and habitat trees

water courses

wet and adverse weather conditions

wind speed and direction

the use of types of tools and equipment for harvesting trees manually, and the procedures for their safe use, operation and maintenance including:

warning signs

chainsaw and components

PPE and clothing

first aid equipment

maintenance requirements

support tools

components of a harvesting plan including an extraction plan, a traffic plan, environmental requirements, restricted areas, identified hazards and product volumes

log extraction methods including skidding, forwarding, using cable or shovel logging and following the harvest plan when felling trees

work order information regarding

tree felling requirements

requirements for product quality

harvesting plan

risk assessments for tree-felling including

ground and environmental conditions likely to affect harvesting activities:

ground stability

ground slope

forest lean

weather conditions

underground and overhead services

forest fire

position and movement of personnel working on the harvesting site

traffic management

safety signage warning of harvesting operations in the area.

Assessment Conditions

The following resources must be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace of a forest environment with trees typical to the scope of this unit

PPE and clothing including:

Safety helmet

Safety gloves

Protective footwear

Eye protection

Hearing protection

High visibility clothing

Leg protection (trousers or chaps)

materials and equipment including;

warning signs

chainsaw and components

first aid equipment

maintenance tools and equipment

support tools

manufacturers’ instructions for use and maintenance of equipment

radio or communication device

fire fighting equipment (if prescribed)

specifications and work instructions, including

coupe plans

information and instructions relevant to tree-felling operations, including processing location details and trees to be felled and retained

policy and procedures for work health and safety (WHS)

risk assessment plan

general and specific environmental requirements

applicable state or territory logging code of practice

emergency and evacuation procedures

fire protocols

relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information.

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.

Links

Companion Volume Implementation Guide - http://www.skillsimpact.com.au/forestry-and-timber/skills-standards-and-qualifications/