Assessor Resource

AHCARB305
Dismantle trees

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to dismantle trees in confined spaces and in difficult or hazardous circumstances.

This unit applies to individuals who have a range of skills to select and apply a specialised range of methods, tools, materials and information to complete routine activities and provide and transmit solutions to predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems. Discretion and judgement is required. The work requires the application of extensive arboricultural knowledge. Work is implemented with low risk work procedures and to comply with Safe Work Method Statement documentation.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit in some states and territories at the time of publication, and may differ according to jurisdiction. Specific determination should be sought through the relevant State or Territory. Works involving this unit of competency may be subject to local tree protection and preservation laws, and the relevant content of applicable Australian Standards.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1. Prepare for tree removal

1.1 Determine access to site and gain approval by owner or site management

1.2 Confirm site preparations, including notification of local residents and authorities where necessary

1.3 Determine location of above-and-below-ground services

1.4 Undertake a site-specific risk assessment by identifying work health and safety hazards and assessing risk

1.5 Protect, relocate and secure assets, property and vegetation related to work zone activities from potential damage during tree removal

1.6 Inspect trees to determine dimensions, appropriate removal methods and to confirm appropriateness of selected risk controls

1.7 Determine drop zone and communicate to all personnel

1.8 Confirm first aid, rescue personnel, equipment and procedures applicable to tree work

1.9 Carry out pre-operational and safety checks on tools, equipment and machinery

1.10 Select and use personal protective equipment

1.11 Record and implement work health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures

2. Implement dismantling of trees

2.1 Communicate with work team during operations, as required, verbally, using hand signals and whistles

2.2 Calculate mass of tree section, balance of load and confirm mass does not exceed safe working limit of equipment

2.3 Use dismantling techniques to ensure branches and trunk sections fall or are lowered safely into determined drop zone, with no damage to property and equipment or injury to personnel

2.4 Use and control friction devices as required

2.5 Dismantle branches and trunk sections using the 'cut and drop' method, and cut and lower by ropes and other lowering devices

2.6 Use directional felling techniques to ensure trunk of dismantled tree falls safely into determined drop zone with no damage to property and equipment or injury to personnel

2.7 Use and control elevated work platforms as required

3. Complete tree removal

3.1 Reduce dismantled tree sections to manoeuvrable lengths

3.2 Remove plant material and debris from site

3.3 Clean and check tools, equipment and machinery, and store

3.4 lean and store personal protective equipment

3.5 Record completion of tree removal and report to owner or site manager

The candidate must be observed removing a tree in a confined space using directional felling and removing a tree in a confined space using a dismantling process. The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence for and demonstrate:

determining location of above-and-below-ground services

undertaking a site-specific risk assessment by identifying work health and safety hazards and assessing risk

inspecting trees to determine appropriate removal methods

confirming appropriateness of selected risk controls

determining access to site and gaining approval by owner or site management

confirming site preparations, including notification of local residents and authorities where necessary

recording and implementing work health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures

determining drop zone and communicate to all personnel

protecting, relocating and securing assets, property and vegetation related to work zone activities from potential damage during tree removal

selecting, preparing, checking and using tools, equipment and machinery

selecting and using personal protective equipment

selecting and using safety equipment

calculating mass of tree section

confirming mass of tree section does not exceed the safe working limit of equipment

dismantling branches and trunk sections using the 'cut and drop' method, and

cutting and lowering sections by ropes and other lowering devices

using dismantling techniques to ensure branches and trunk sections fall or are lowered safely into determined drop zone, with no damage to property and equipment or injury to personnel

using directional felling techniques to ensure trunk of dismantled tree falls safely into determined drop zone with no damage to property and equipment or injury to personnel

using and controlling friction devices where required

using and controlling elevated work platforms as required

reducing dismantled tree section to manoeuvrable lengths without injury to operator

removing plant material and debris from site

cleaning and checking tools, equipment and machinery, replacing if faulty or worn, and storing

recording completion of tree removal and reporting to owner or site manager

use of advanced rigging techniques

calculating tree dimensions, mass of tree section and balance of load

erecting signage, barriers, warning devices and traffic management equipment

coordinating and sequencing work team activities

use of industry standard terminology to describe arboriculture and work environment.

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

site and tree hazards that might be encountered

selection of low risk tree removal methods

advanced climbing techniques and rope handling

selecting and tying, dressing, setting and finishing arborist knots

operation of lowering devices where required

types of lowering devices that might be required, including friction devices, and methods for using them

how to estimate density of tree sections

the impact of force, breaking strength, safety factors and cycles to failure

how to identify and evaluate structural defects in trees

how to determine the density of tree sections

safe working limits on all relevant rigging and lowering equipment

methods of estimating mass and balance of load

first aid and rescue personnel, equipment and procedures applicable to tree work

methods of minimising environmental impact

legislation and local regulations governing tree removal.

Assessment must be demonstrated consistently over time in a suitable range of contexts and have a productivity-based outcome. No single assessment event or report is sufficient to achieve competency in this unit.

Assessment may be conducted in a simulated or real work environment, however determination of competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions.

The mandatory equipment and materials used to gather evidence for assessment include:

equipment:

rigging equipment

single rope technique (SRT) climbing kit

static and dynamic rope kit

harness

lowering and friction devices

gaffs/spurs

high decibel whistle

personal protective equipment (PPE)

first aid and emergency kit

rescue kit

traffic management kit

signage – work zone

trees

materials:

dismantling operations form

chainsaw operations form

pruning operations form

knot identification form

hazard identification and risk control form

equipment and PPE check form

emergency preparation form

rescue form - aerial

work communications form

work site operations form

work records form

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs in the assessment of arboriculture units of competency.

Assessment must be conducted only by persons who have:

arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed

current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1. Prepare for tree removal

1.1 Determine access to site and gain approval by owner or site management

1.2 Confirm site preparations, including notification of local residents and authorities where necessary

1.3 Determine location of above-and-below-ground services

1.4 Undertake a site-specific risk assessment by identifying work health and safety hazards and assessing risk

1.5 Protect, relocate and secure assets, property and vegetation related to work zone activities from potential damage during tree removal

1.6 Inspect trees to determine dimensions, appropriate removal methods and to confirm appropriateness of selected risk controls

1.7 Determine drop zone and communicate to all personnel

1.8 Confirm first aid, rescue personnel, equipment and procedures applicable to tree work

1.9 Carry out pre-operational and safety checks on tools, equipment and machinery

1.10 Select and use personal protective equipment

1.11 Record and implement work health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures

2. Implement dismantling of trees

2.1 Communicate with work team during operations, as required, verbally, using hand signals and whistles

2.2 Calculate mass of tree section, balance of load and confirm mass does not exceed safe working limit of equipment

2.3 Use dismantling techniques to ensure branches and trunk sections fall or are lowered safely into determined drop zone, with no damage to property and equipment or injury to personnel

2.4 Use and control friction devices as required

2.5 Dismantle branches and trunk sections using the 'cut and drop' method, and cut and lower by ropes and other lowering devices

2.6 Use directional felling techniques to ensure trunk of dismantled tree falls safely into determined drop zone with no damage to property and equipment or injury to personnel

2.7 Use and control elevated work platforms as required

3. Complete tree removal

3.1 Reduce dismantled tree sections to manoeuvrable lengths

3.2 Remove plant material and debris from site

3.3 Clean and check tools, equipment and machinery, and store

3.4 lean and store personal protective equipment

3.5 Record completion of tree removal and report to owner or site manager

The candidate must be observed removing a tree in a confined space using directional felling and removing a tree in a confined space using a dismantling process. The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence for and demonstrate:

determining location of above-and-below-ground services

undertaking a site-specific risk assessment by identifying work health and safety hazards and assessing risk

inspecting trees to determine appropriate removal methods

confirming appropriateness of selected risk controls

determining access to site and gaining approval by owner or site management

confirming site preparations, including notification of local residents and authorities where necessary

recording and implementing work health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures

determining drop zone and communicate to all personnel

protecting, relocating and securing assets, property and vegetation related to work zone activities from potential damage during tree removal

selecting, preparing, checking and using tools, equipment and machinery

selecting and using personal protective equipment

selecting and using safety equipment

calculating mass of tree section

confirming mass of tree section does not exceed the safe working limit of equipment

dismantling branches and trunk sections using the 'cut and drop' method, and

cutting and lowering sections by ropes and other lowering devices

using dismantling techniques to ensure branches and trunk sections fall or are lowered safely into determined drop zone, with no damage to property and equipment or injury to personnel

using directional felling techniques to ensure trunk of dismantled tree falls safely into determined drop zone with no damage to property and equipment or injury to personnel

using and controlling friction devices where required

using and controlling elevated work platforms as required

reducing dismantled tree section to manoeuvrable lengths without injury to operator

removing plant material and debris from site

cleaning and checking tools, equipment and machinery, replacing if faulty or worn, and storing

recording completion of tree removal and reporting to owner or site manager

use of advanced rigging techniques

calculating tree dimensions, mass of tree section and balance of load

erecting signage, barriers, warning devices and traffic management equipment

coordinating and sequencing work team activities

use of industry standard terminology to describe arboriculture and work environment.

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

site and tree hazards that might be encountered

selection of low risk tree removal methods

advanced climbing techniques and rope handling

selecting and tying, dressing, setting and finishing arborist knots

operation of lowering devices where required

types of lowering devices that might be required, including friction devices, and methods for using them

how to estimate density of tree sections

the impact of force, breaking strength, safety factors and cycles to failure

how to identify and evaluate structural defects in trees

how to determine the density of tree sections

safe working limits on all relevant rigging and lowering equipment

methods of estimating mass and balance of load

first aid and rescue personnel, equipment and procedures applicable to tree work

methods of minimising environmental impact

legislation and local regulations governing tree removal.

Assessment must be demonstrated consistently over time in a suitable range of contexts and have a productivity-based outcome. No single assessment event or report is sufficient to achieve competency in this unit.

Assessment may be conducted in a simulated or real work environment, however determination of competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions.

The mandatory equipment and materials used to gather evidence for assessment include:

equipment:

rigging equipment

single rope technique (SRT) climbing kit

static and dynamic rope kit

harness

lowering and friction devices

gaffs/spurs

high decibel whistle

personal protective equipment (PPE)

first aid and emergency kit

rescue kit

traffic management kit

signage – work zone

trees

materials:

dismantling operations form

chainsaw operations form

pruning operations form

knot identification form

hazard identification and risk control form

equipment and PPE check form

emergency preparation form

rescue form - aerial

work communications form

work site operations form

work records form

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs in the assessment of arboriculture units of competency.

Assessment must be conducted only by persons who have:

arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed

current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Determine access to site and gain approval by owner or site management 
Confirm site preparations, including notification of local residents and authorities where necessary 
Determine location of above-and-below-ground services 
Undertake a site-specific risk assessment by identifying work health and safety hazards and assessing risk 
Protect, relocate and secure assets, property and vegetation related to work zone activities from potential damage during tree removal 
Inspect trees to determine dimensions, appropriate removal methods and to confirm appropriateness of selected risk controls 
Determine drop zone and communicate to all personnel 
Confirm first aid, rescue personnel, equipment and procedures applicable to tree work 
Carry out pre-operational and safety checks on tools, equipment and machinery 
Select and use personal protective equipment 
Record and implement work health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures 
Communicate with work team during operations, as required, verbally, using hand signals and whistles 
Calculate mass of tree section, balance of load and confirm mass does not exceed safe working limit of equipment 
Use dismantling techniques to ensure branches and trunk sections fall or are lowered safely into determined drop zone, with no damage to property and equipment or injury to personnel 
Use and control friction devices as required 
Dismantle branches and trunk sections using the 'cut and drop' method, and cut and lower by ropes and other lowering devices 
Use directional felling techniques to ensure trunk of dismantled tree falls safely into determined drop zone with no damage to property and equipment or injury to personnel 
Use and control elevated work platforms as required 
Reduce dismantled tree sections to manoeuvrable lengths 
Remove plant material and debris from site 
Clean and check tools, equipment and machinery, and store 
lean and store personal protective equipment 
Record completion of tree removal and report to owner or site manager 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCARB305 - Dismantle trees
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AHCARB305 - Dismantle trees

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: