Assessor Resource

FWPCOT3238
Operate a pole saw

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to trim high branches reachable with a power driven pole saw and to promote tree growth by trimming and felling excess branches.

Power driven pole saw in this unit refers to professional standard pole-mounted chain saws that are typically fuel types, but may be battery powered, and generally telescopic.

It applies to those who operate a pole saw in a forest environment and includes equipment maintenance.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. for trimming

1.1 Identify and follow WHS, environmental, legal and organisational requirements for operating a pole saw.

1.2 Review work order and clarify with appropriate personnel.

1.3 Select equipment appropriate to work requirements and check for serviceable condition in line with manufacturer recommendations.

1.4 Carry out pre-startup checks of pole saw in line with site requirements.

1.5 Establish and maintain communication with others to ensure safety.

2. Assess trees

2.1 Identify and assess tree type, location and stability for safe working conditions.

2.2 Plan the trim of a tree in line with site procedures and environmental conditions.

2.3 Identify trees unable to be trimmed safely and refer to appropriate personnel.

2.4 Determine whether the height of the branch is within safe reach when using the pole saw

2.5 Establish general falling direction of branches and limbs to be trimmed and identify clear escape route.

3. Trim trees

3.1 Trim accessible branches and knots to specifications in line with manufacturer recommendations and organisational safe work practices for angle and height allowances.

3.2 Monitor movement and whereabouts of other personnel to ensure work site is safe.

3.3 Undertake sequence of cuts to trim tree branches.

3.4 Operate pole saw in line with safety regulations, adjusting technique in response to condition of the tree.

3.5 Diagnose unexpected characteristics of a tree during trimming operations and review tree assessment if required.

3.6 Complete cutting once initiated, to minimise splitting.

3.7 Clear cut branches from the site in line with standard operating procedures and environmental requirements.

3.8 Record and report trimming activity.

4. Conduct operator maintenance

4.1 Follow lock-out procedures in line with WHS legislation and site procedures.

4.2 Inspect condition of saw and other equipment on completion of trimming activities.

4.3 Remove, sharpen, adjust or replace chain and other components, in line with manufacturer recommendations.

4.4 Recycle, re-use or dispose of blunt or damaged chain and other components in line with environmental requirements.

4.5 Clear pole saw of dust, shavings and debris and check to make sure it meets relevant operational standards.

4.6 Record and report equipment faults and maintenance activity.

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:

undertake trimming with a pole saw to correctly and safely demonstrate competency in the following:

assess trees and site conditions to work safely

correct use of safety attire and protective equipment

conduct pre-operational checks of pole saw

trim trees at safe height and angle in line with manufacturer recommendations and organisational safe working practices

select/adjust trimming sequence and cutting techniques in response to various tree characteristics and site conditions

conduct operator maintenance

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

workplace requirements and site standards for carrying out pole saw operations

environmental risks and hazards associated with trimming trees with a pole saw

characteristics of trees and timber defects

Branch Bark Ridge (BBR) and Bark Branch Collar (BBC)

appropriate trimming sequence and cutting techniques

manufacturer recommendations and organisational safe working practices for operating a pole saw at safe height and angle limits

methods for assessing condition of pole saw chain

established communication channels and protocols

problem identification and resolution strategies, and common fault finding techniques

procedures for recording and reporting workplace information.

The following resources must be made available:

a professional standard fuel or battery powered pole-mounted chain saw with telescopic extension

work order, workplace requirements and site standards for conducting pole saw operations

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.


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.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. for trimming

1.1 Identify and follow WHS, environmental, legal and organisational requirements for operating a pole saw.

1.2 Review work order and clarify with appropriate personnel.

1.3 Select equipment appropriate to work requirements and check for serviceable condition in line with manufacturer recommendations.

1.4 Carry out pre-startup checks of pole saw in line with site requirements.

1.5 Establish and maintain communication with others to ensure safety.

2. Assess trees

2.1 Identify and assess tree type, location and stability for safe working conditions.

2.2 Plan the trim of a tree in line with site procedures and environmental conditions.

2.3 Identify trees unable to be trimmed safely and refer to appropriate personnel.

2.4 Determine whether the height of the branch is within safe reach when using the pole saw

2.5 Establish general falling direction of branches and limbs to be trimmed and identify clear escape route.

3. Trim trees

3.1 Trim accessible branches and knots to specifications in line with manufacturer recommendations and organisational safe work practices for angle and height allowances.

3.2 Monitor movement and whereabouts of other personnel to ensure work site is safe.

3.3 Undertake sequence of cuts to trim tree branches.

3.4 Operate pole saw in line with safety regulations, adjusting technique in response to condition of the tree.

3.5 Diagnose unexpected characteristics of a tree during trimming operations and review tree assessment if required.

3.6 Complete cutting once initiated, to minimise splitting.

3.7 Clear cut branches from the site in line with standard operating procedures and environmental requirements.

3.8 Record and report trimming activity.

4. Conduct operator maintenance

4.1 Follow lock-out procedures in line with WHS legislation and site procedures.

4.2 Inspect condition of saw and other equipment on completion of trimming activities.

4.3 Remove, sharpen, adjust or replace chain and other components, in line with manufacturer recommendations.

4.4 Recycle, re-use or dispose of blunt or damaged chain and other components in line with environmental requirements.

4.5 Clear pole saw of dust, shavings and debris and check to make sure it meets relevant operational standards.

4.6 Record and report equipment faults and maintenance activity.

Not Applicable

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:

undertake trimming with a pole saw to correctly and safely demonstrate competency in the following:

assess trees and site conditions to work safely

correct use of safety attire and protective equipment

conduct pre-operational checks of pole saw

trim trees at safe height and angle in line with manufacturer recommendations and organisational safe working practices

select/adjust trimming sequence and cutting techniques in response to various tree characteristics and site conditions

conduct operator maintenance

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

workplace requirements and site standards for carrying out pole saw operations

environmental risks and hazards associated with trimming trees with a pole saw

characteristics of trees and timber defects

Branch Bark Ridge (BBR) and Bark Branch Collar (BBC)

appropriate trimming sequence and cutting techniques

manufacturer recommendations and organisational safe working practices for operating a pole saw at safe height and angle limits

methods for assessing condition of pole saw chain

established communication channels and protocols

problem identification and resolution strategies, and common fault finding techniques

procedures for recording and reporting workplace information.

The following resources must be made available:

a professional standard fuel or battery powered pole-mounted chain saw with telescopic extension

work order, workplace requirements and site standards for conducting pole saw operations

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.

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
Identify and follow WHS, environmental, legal and organisational requirements for operating a pole saw. 
Review work order and clarify with appropriate personnel. 
Select equipment appropriate to work requirements and check for serviceable condition in line with manufacturer recommendations. 
Carry out pre-startup checks of pole saw in line with site requirements. 
Establish and maintain communication with others to ensure safety. 
Identify and assess tree type, location and stability for safe working conditions. 
Plan the trim of a tree in line with site procedures and environmental conditions. 
Identify trees unable to be trimmed safely and refer to appropriate personnel. 
Determine whether the height of the branch is within safe reach when using the pole saw 
Establish general falling direction of branches and limbs to be trimmed and identify clear escape route. 
Trim accessible branches and knots to specifications in line with manufacturer recommendations and organisational safe work practices for angle and height allowances. 
Monitor movement and whereabouts of other personnel to ensure work site is safe. 
Undertake sequence of cuts to trim tree branches. 
Operate pole saw in line with safety regulations, adjusting technique in response to condition of the tree. 
Diagnose unexpected characteristics of a tree during trimming operations and review tree assessment if required. 
Complete cutting once initiated, to minimise splitting. 
Clear cut branches from the site in line with standard operating procedures and environmental requirements. 
Record and report trimming activity. 
Follow lock-out procedures in line with WHS legislation and site procedures. 
Inspect condition of saw and other equipment on completion of trimming activities. 
Remove, sharpen, adjust or replace chain and other components, in line with manufacturer recommendations. 
Recycle, re-use or dispose of blunt or damaged chain and other components in line with environmental requirements. 
Clear pole saw of dust, shavings and debris and check to make sure it meets relevant operational standards. 
Record and report equipment faults and maintenance activity. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FWPCOT3238 - 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

FWPCOT3238 - 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: