Assessor Resource

FPIFGM3205A
Fall trees manually (advanced)

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for competent workplace performance in forest and forest products operations of all sizes. The unit applies to a forest environment and involves application of skills and knowledge at a tradesperson level. These skills and knowledge are to be used within the scope of the person's job and authority

This unit specifies the outcomes required to assess, plan and safely carry out advanced tree falling operations. This unit is intended for use in situations where the production of timber is not the primary focus of the activity. Compliance with licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may be required in various jurisdictions

This unit replaces FPIFGM112A Fall trees manually - advanced (non-commercial/non-production)

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

Not Applicable




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, , the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this 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 assess, plan and conduct advanced tree falling operations in accordance with environmental and organisational requirements

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Comply with applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice, including OHS, environmental and organisational policies and procedures, relevant to advanced tree falling operations

Comply with applicable licensing or certification requirements

Communicate effectively and work safely with others including maintaining an awareness of other personnel activity in the work area

Contribute to a tree assessment, plan and undertake advanced tree falling within the range of variables for trees and conditions

Visually assess trees and determine falling characteristics

Determine and plan falling sequence for individual trees

Select and maintain appropriate tools and equipment and recognise faults, problems or malfunctions

Safely operate and maintain a chainsaw

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 essential underpinning knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian Standards requirements

The following resources should be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace

materials and equipment relevant to advanced tree falling operations

specifications and work instructions

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI05 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 underpinning knowledge

Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on underpinning knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of key competencies

Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access and correctly interpret and apply the essential underpinning 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 include:

comply with legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices and procedures relating to advanced tree falling operations

use and maintain relevant tools, machinery and equipment including chainsaws

identify problems and equipment faults and demonstrate appropriate response procedures

use appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques and methods with colleagues and others

accurately record and report workplace information, and maintain documentation

use hand signals with other operators to maintain effective and safe tree falling

recognise own limitations in assessing conditions and trees for falling

contribute to a tree assessment and plan and fall trees within the range of variables for trees and conditions including techniques for control of falling direction consistent with this range

recognise common diseases, pests and nutrition deficiencies

calculate slopes and weights in the metric system

Required knowledge and understanding includes:

applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements and codes of practice relevant to advanced tree falling operations

organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures relating to advanced tree falling operations

principles of cultural diversity and access and equity

environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material

established communication channels and protocols

problem identification and resolution

types of tools and equipment and procedures for their safe use, operation and maintenance

identification and evaluation of structural defects in trees

types and purposes of a range of cuts to fall trees

hazards of operating a chainsaw and falling trees

operational principles and limitations of a chainsaw

procedures for the recording, reporting and maintenance of workplace records and information

appropriate mathematical procedures for estimation and measurement

KEY COMPETENCIES

The seven key competencies represent generic skills considered necessary for effective participation by an individual in the workplace
Performance Level 1 - at this level, the candidate is required to undertake tasks effectively
Performance Level 2 - at this level, the candidate is required to manage tasks
Performance Level 3 - at this level, the candidate is required to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks

Key Competency

Example of Application

Performance Level

How are ideas and information communicated?

By communicating in simple language to confirm work requirements, convey information to colleagues, and report outcomes relating to falling trees

2

How can information be collected, analysed and organised?

By collecting, organising and understanding information required to plan and undertake tree falling

2

How are activities planned and organised?

By organising and conducting tree falling activities in the correct sequence to complete within the designated timeframes

2

How is team work used?

By using effective communication and interpersonal techniques with colleagues and others to maximise confidence, satisfaction and productivity during tree falling operations

2

How are mathematical ideas and techniques used?

By calculating slopes, wind speed and direction time to complete tasks

2

How are problem solving skills applied?

By establishing safe and effective tree falling procedures and processes which anticipate likely problems to avoid wastage and downtime

2

How is the use of technology applied?

By accessing and locating applicable legislative, regulatory and environmental guidelines relevant to tree falling operations

2

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below

OHS requirements are to be in accordance with Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures. Requirements may include:

the use of personal protective equipment and clothing

safety equipment

first aid equipment

fire fighting equipment

hazard and risk control

elimination of hazardous materials and substances

safe forest practices including required actions relating to forest fire

manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying

Legislative requirements are to be in accordance with applicable legislation from all levels of government that affect organisational operation. Requirements 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

heritage and traditional land owner issues

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, ethical standards, recording and reporting, access and equity principles and practices, equipment use, maintenance and storage, environmental management (waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)

Falling

may require the use of multiple back-cuts and/or boring techniques and will be undertaken in all conditions for which it is safe including slopes up to the maximum allowed by relevant regulations

Trees

selected for falling include those of any size and condition that are determined can be safely fallen

Environmental protection measures

may include noise, ground growth, canopy, general forest lean, wind speed and direction, fallen trees, density of trees, ground slope, soil and water protection, ground hazards, obstacles. Measures may also include contingencies for modifying operations during wet or other adverse weather conditions

Work plan

is to include information and instructions relevant to tree falling operations including processing location details and trees to be felled and retained. Information may also include general environmental requirements, site plan and environmental features

Tools and equipment

may include warning signs, chainsaw and components, personal protective equipment and clothing, first aid equipment, maintenance requirements, fuel

Maintenance

of chainsaw and components may include sharpening and making adjustments as required

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 and body language, hand signals

Environmental conditions

may relate to ground growth, canopy, general forest lean, ground slope, ground hazards, wind speed and direction

Limitations

may relate to job role and responsibilities, own competency level, industry requirements, own understanding of risk identification processes, own interpretation of legislation, regulations and procedures, complying with OHS requirements

Assistance

may be required in situations where cuts made may lead to loss of control of tree in falling, to confirm and adjust cutting techniques in response to movement and condition of tree, to help clear trees that hang up during falling

Visual assessment

of tree may cover size, weight distribution, lean, species, multi leaders, soundness of timber, growth characteristics and stresses

Escape route

clearance may require the assistance from a dozer or other machine

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), legislative and organisational requirements relevant to falling trees are identified and complied with 
Site environmental protection measures are adhered to in accordance with relevant legislation and regulations 
Work plan is reviewed and checked as required 
Tools and equipment are selected appropriate to work requirements and checked for operational effectiveness in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations 
Blunt or damaged chainsaw is detected, rectified and reported in accordance with workplace procedures 
Operational effectiveness of chainsaw is monitored to maintain falling safety and productivity 
Communication with others is established and maintained in accordance with OHS requirements 
Site environmental concerns are identified and complied with in accordance with relevant national, state, and local legislation or regulations 
Environmental conditions are identified and assessed in accordance with work plan requirements 
Awareness of environmental conditions and other personnel activity in the work area is maintained and falling activity modified 
General factors affecting falling requirements are assessed and specific forest or site risks and hazards identified and controlled 
General falling direction and working face are planned to minimise danger and damage to self, others and the environment 
Tree falling sequence for individual trees is assessed and progressively planned 
Tree to be felled is located and growth is cleared to enable a visual assessment of falling characteristics 
Required falling direction and degree of allowable error is assessed and checked 
Sequence of cuts to fall tree is planned in accordance with standard falling procedures 
Suitable escape route is selected and cleared of growth and other obstacles in accordance with environmental care principles and statutory requirements 
Personal limitations in safely falling trees with own skills are assessed and assistance sought from appropriate personnel 
All work is conducted using established safe operating practices and in accordance with site procedures 
Location and activity of other personnel in the work area is noted and monitored 
Cutting techniques used are appropriate for advanced tree falling operations 
Unexpected characteristics of tree and other problems are assessed, assistance sought and planning reviewed 
Planned escape route is used when tree starts to fall and the fall and movement of tree on ground is monitored until stability is determined 
Chainsaw is monitored for operational effectiveness and any faults, malfunctions or problems are reported in accordance with site procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FPIFGM3205A - Fall trees manually (advanced)
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

FPIFGM3205A - Fall trees manually (advanced)

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: