Assessor Resource

FPICOT3238B
Operate a pole saw

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


The unit involves operating a pole saw 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

This unit describes the outcomes required to trim high branches reachable with a mechanical pole saw and to promote tree growth by trimming excess branches. The unit includes equipment maintenance

General workplace legislative and regulatory requirements apply to this unit; however there are no specific licensing or certification requirements at the time of publication

This unit replaces FPICOT3238A Operate a pole saw

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

Prerequisites

Not Applicable


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills




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.

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 operate a pole saw 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 operating a pole saw

following organisational policies and procedures relevant to operating a pole saw

trimming trees with a pole saw in line with the work plan and within prescribed organisational tolerances

conducting operator maintenance on a pole saw

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


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.

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; efficiently and safely trim trees

Communication skills sufficient to use appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques with colleagues and others

Literacy skills sufficient to record and report workplace information; maintain documentation

Numeracy skills sufficient to measure, estimate and calculate time required to complete a task

Problem solving skills sufficient to identify problems and equipment faults; 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 operating a pole saw

Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material, the minimisation of carbon emissions, and the cleaning of plant, tools and equipment

Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for operating a pole saw, including safety procedures

Environmental risks and hazards

Using energy effectively and efficiently

Characteristics of trees and timber defects

Trimming procedures for cutting overhead

Methods for assessing condition of pole saw chain

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

Appropriate mathematical procedures for estimating and measuring, including calculating time to complete tasks

Procedures for recording and reporting workplace information

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.

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

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, maintenance and storage requirements

environmental management requirements (waste minimisation and disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)

Work plan is to include:

instructions for the trimming and despatch of felled branches from the work site

and may include:

type

size

length

quantity

grade

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

Trees may include:

native species

imported species

plantation trees

non-plantation trees

Trimming is to include:

cutting off branches, burls and other small growths at a height requiring the use of a pole saw

Equipment is to include:

procedures for pole saw lock-out, such as protecting operators and co-workers from accidental injury by isolating the machine

and may include:

pole saws

specific safety attire

maintenance tools and equipment

Pre-startup checks

are conducted to ensure:

equipment has been set up correctly

systems are performing accurately

equipment is operating to optimum performance

Communication may include:

verbal and non-verbal language

constructive feedback

active listening

questioning to clarify and confirm understanding

use of positive, confident and cooperative language

use of language and concepts appropriate to individual social and cultural differences

control of tone of voice

Environmental conditions may include:

ground growth

ground slope

ground hazards

obstacles

Conditions may include:

location of the tree in determining safety for trimming conditions

stability of the tree in determining safety for trimming conditions

Pole saw is to include:

mechanised saw at the end of a long extension pole from the bottom of the pole

and may also include:

manual saws

non-mechanised saws

Splitting is

the branch tearing away part of the tree bark beneath the branch, once the branch releases from the result of cutting

Clearing may include:

recycling cut branches

redirecting cut branches for energy recovery

Records and reports may include:

tree type

size

length

diameter

inspection information

grading and labelling outcomes

storage locations

quality outcomes

hazards

incidents

equipment malfunctions

and may be:

manual

a computer-based system

other appropriate organisational communication system

Chain

is the fast moving component surrounding the pole saw blade, containing many linked teeth

Dealing with may include:

recycling chain and other components that need replacing

re-using chain and other components that need replacing

sending chain and other components that need replacing to landfill

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
Applicable occupational health and safety (OHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to operating a pole saw are identified and followed 
Work plan is reviewed and clarified with appropriate personnel 
Type and quantity of trees to be trimmed are identified and assessed for safe working conditions 
Equipment is selected appropriate to work requirements and checked for operational effectiveness in line with manufacturer recommendations 
Pre-startup checks are carried out on equipment in line with site requirements 
Trimming activities are planned in line with site procedures and environmental requirements 
Communication with others is established and maintained in line with OHS requirements 
Environmental conditions are assessed and used to plan the trimming of each tree 
Movement and whereabouts of other personnel are monitored and work is modified in line with OHS regulations 
Tree, location and stability are assessed for conditions likely to affect safety of trimming activities 
Trees unable to be trimmed safely are identified and referred to appropriate personnel 
Accessible branches and knots are trimmed to specifications in line with maximum height allowances and manufacturer recommendations 
Pole saw is operated to trim tree in line with safety regulations and cutting technique is adjusted in response to condition of the tree 
Unexpected characteristics of a tree are diagnosed and planning is reviewed 
Cut is completed once initiated, minimising splitting and in line with the work plan 
Cut branches are cleared from the site in line with standard operating procedures and environmental requirements 
Trimming processes and equipment faults are recorded and reported to the appropriate personnel 
Equipment lock-out procedures are followed in line with OHS legislation and site procedures 
Chain is checked for blunt or damaged condition 
Chain and other components are removed, sharpened, maintained, adjusted and replaced in line with manufacturer recommendations 
Chain and other components that need replacing are dealt with in line with site procedures, manufacturer recommendations and environmental requirements 
Pole saw setup is assessed and adjusted to suit cutting conditions 
Pole saw is kept clear of dust, shavings and debris and checked to make sure it meets relevant standards 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FPICOT3238B - Operate a pole saw
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

FPICOT3238B - Operate a pole saw

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: