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 site and inspect equipment | 1.1 Determine appropriate method for accessing tree – climbing or using an elevated work platform (EWP) – through discussion with work team 1.2 Determine location of above-and-below-ground services 1.3 Undertake a site-specific risk assessment by identifying work health and safety hazards and assessing risk 1.4 Confirm first aid and rescue personnel, equipment and procedures 1.5 Ensure work team member present, capable, willing and equipped to assist or perform aerial rescue operations 1.6 Prepare and carry out pre-operational and safety checks, on ropes, harnesses, tools and equipment 1.7 Select and use personal protective equipment 1.8 Record and implement work health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures |
2. Select climbing equipment | 2.1 Select harness and appropriate equipment for climbing 2.2 Inspect tree to determinelow risk access route through discussion with work team and seek feedback 2.3 Estimate tree height and load in relation to safe working limits of ropes and equipment 2.4 Determine the hold, release and grip attributes of rope 2.5 Select and use dynamic rope 2.6 Select and use triple locking carabiners |
3. Prepare to access tree | 3.1 Tie, dress, set and finish climbing knots and hitches 3.2 Communicate with work team during operations using voice, hand and whistle signals 3.3 Maintain awareness of power line clearances 3.4 Select low risk anchor points in accordance with strength, suitability requirements and branch weight |
4. Access and ascend tree | 4.1 Access and ascend tree using low risk access route with harness and lanyard 4.2 Ascend using double rope with prussik technique 4.3 Ascend using trunk walking technique and foot ascenders as required |
5. Descend from tree | 5.1 Descend tree in a controlled manner 5.2 Remove all access equipment in a controlled manner 5.3 Clean and store access equipment 5.4 Clean and store personal protective equipment |
The candidate must be observed climbing trees using standard climbing techniques in a safe manner. 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:
appropriate method for accessing tree – climbing or using an EWP – through discussion with work team
determining location of above-and-below-ground services
undertaking a site-specific risk assessment by identifying work health and safety hazards and assessing risk
confirming first aid and rescue personnel, equipment and procedures
ensuring work team member present, capable, willing and equipped to assist or perform aerial rescue operations
preparing and carrying out pre-operational and safety checks, on ropes, harnesses, tools and equipment
selecting and using personal protective equipment and safety equipment
recording and implementing work health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures
selecting harness and appropriate equipment for climbing
inspecting tree to determine low risk access route through discussion with work team and seek feedback
estimating tree height and load in relation to safe working limits of ropes and equipment
determining the hold, release and grip attributes of rope
selecting and using dynamic rope
selecting and using triple locking carabiners
tying, dressing, setting and finishing climbing knots and hitches
communicating with work team during operations using voice, hand and whistle signals
maintaining awareness of power line clearances
selecting low risk anchor points in accordance with strength, suitability requirements and branch weight
accessing and ascending tree using low risk access route with harness and lanyard
ascending using double rope with prussik technique
ascending using trunk walking technique and foot ascenders as required
descending tree in a controlled manner
removing all access equipment in a controlled manner
cleaning and storing climbing equipment
cleaning and storing personal protective equipment
use of industry standard-terminology to describe climbing and the work environment.
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
appropriate method of tree access
selection of climbing or EWP access
determination of location of above-and-below-ground services
site-specific risk assessment
first aid personnel, equipment and procedures
rescue personnel, equipment and procedures
work health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures
pre-operational and safety checks, on ropes, harnesses, tools and equipment
personal protective equipment
types of climbing ropes
dynamic ropes
rope characteristics
uses of climbing ropes
safe working limits of ropes
safe working limits of equipment
defects in ropes, tools and equipment
climbing harnesses and lanyards
climbing equipment
triple locking carabiners
arborist knots
tying knots
dressing knots
setting knots
checking knots
finishing knots
industry voice, hand and whistle signals
low risk access routes
estimation of tree height
estimation of load
safe working limits
tree access techniques and equipment
strength and suitability requirements
double rope with prussik technique
trunk walking and foot ascenders
standard climbing technique
low risk anchor points
maintenance of awareness of power lines
power line clearances
controlled descent operations
controlled removal of access equipment
cleaning of equipment
storage of equipment
work health and safety measures relating to own work.
It is an industry requirement that delivery of training and assessment in this unit provides for the explicit conditions of work team capability for aerial rescue operations. It is an industry requirement for competency in this unit that assessment must include a log record of two hundred (200) hours of standard climbing.
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:
standard climbing kit
harness
high decibel whistle
personal protective equipment (PPE)
first aid and emergency kit
rescue kit
traffic management kit
trees
materials:
climbing techniques form- standard
climbing log record - standard
hazard identification and risk control form
equipment and PPE check form
emergency preparation form
work communications form
knot identification 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