Assessor Resource

FWPSAW3203
Break down logs

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to prepare logs for sawing, set up the processing of logs, break down logs into flitches or cants and maintain the production flow. Work is completed in a forest products factory and includes operator maintenance.

The unit applies to Sawmill Worker, Production Worker.

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. Prepare for sawing

1.1 Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel.

1.2 Select appropriate personal protective equipment and check for operational effectiveness.

1.3 Plan sawing process in line with work order.

2. Break down logs

2.1 Use equipment in line with organisational safety procedures, manufacturer’s instructions and environmental protection practices.

2.2 Complete pre start-up checks to ensure operational effectiveness.

2.3 Use dogs to secure and align logs to saw and minimise damage.

2.4 Clear logs of foreign matter and feed into saw at feed rate in line with organisational safety procedures.

2.5 Check break down process regularly and adjust to maintain desired quality and output.

2.6 Reject and dispose of sub-standard material in line with environmental protection practices.

2.7 Direct broken down logs to designated area in line with work order.

2.8 Identify routine processing problems and resolve or report to appropriate personnel.

3. Complete operator maintenance

3.1 Follow organisational safety procedures to lock out equipment.

3.2 Check saw blades for bluntness or damage.

3.3 Remove and replace saw blades in line with manufacturer's recommendations.

3.4 Dispose of used blades in line with environmental protection practices.

3.5 Complete basic non-specialist maintenance for equipment.

3.6 Keep machine clear of dust and debris in line with organisational safety procedures.

3.7 Record and report equipment faults and maintenance requirements to appropriate personnel.

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:

follow organisational policies and procedures relevant to breaking down logs

break down logs to produce sections in line with a work order and within prescribed organisational specifications

complete these types of basic non-specialist maintenance:

cleaning the machine of wood chips and sawdust

replacing blunt saw blades

inspecting machine parts for wear or damage, including guards

greasing and lubricating moving parts

checking the operation of emergency stop buttons and lock out systems.

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

purpose, features and operation of equipment used to break down logs:

carriages:

standard three headed dog carriages

flat top carriages with head rigs

saws:

circular saws

bench saws

overhead frame saws or band saws

mechanical feed

conveyor system to transport logs to and from the sawing area

maintenance tools and equipment for saws

typical work flow processes for breaking down logs

typical flow of log supply in and out of the sawing area

range of cutting patterns used on logs to achieve maximum output of flitches and cants

range of feed rates and how they affect production output and finished quality of flitches and cants

characterstics of timber

breakdown processes, feed rates and finish

methods for assessing saw blade condition

storage systems and labelling

environmental protection practices for forest products factory settings:

reducing water and energy use

cleaning plant, tools and equipment

disposing of, recycling and reusing timber

typical log defects and how they affect ability to produce quality flitches and cants:

warp

wane

curvature

cupping

shakes

insect defects

knots

resin pockets

organisational policies and procedures specific to breaking down logs:

workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on equipment lock out and use of personal protective equipment

communication reporting lines

recording and reporting processing problems and equipment faults.

The following resources must be made available:

one or more of the following carriages:

standard three headed dog carriages

flat top carriages with head rigs

one or more of the following saws:

circular saws

bench saws

overhead frame saws or band saws

mechanical feed

conveyor system to transport logs to and from the sawing area

maintenance tools and equipment for saws

consumable saw blades

personal protective equipment suitable for rounding logs

a selection of logs

manufacturers’:

instructions for equipment use

recommendations for repairing and maintaining equipment

work order with specific instructions for breaking down logs and despatch to downstream processing

template documents for recording equipment faults and maintenance requirements

relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information

organisational policies and procedures for breaking down logs.

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. Prepare for sawing

1.1 Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel.

1.2 Select appropriate personal protective equipment and check for operational effectiveness.

1.3 Plan sawing process in line with work order.

2. Break down logs

2.1 Use equipment in line with organisational safety procedures, manufacturer’s instructions and environmental protection practices.

2.2 Complete pre start-up checks to ensure operational effectiveness.

2.3 Use dogs to secure and align logs to saw and minimise damage.

2.4 Clear logs of foreign matter and feed into saw at feed rate in line with organisational safety procedures.

2.5 Check break down process regularly and adjust to maintain desired quality and output.

2.6 Reject and dispose of sub-standard material in line with environmental protection practices.

2.7 Direct broken down logs to designated area in line with work order.

2.8 Identify routine processing problems and resolve or report to appropriate personnel.

3. Complete operator maintenance

3.1 Follow organisational safety procedures to lock out equipment.

3.2 Check saw blades for bluntness or damage.

3.3 Remove and replace saw blades in line with manufacturer's recommendations.

3.4 Dispose of used blades in line with environmental protection practices.

3.5 Complete basic non-specialist maintenance for equipment.

3.6 Keep machine clear of dust and debris in line with organisational safety procedures.

3.7 Record and report equipment faults and maintenance requirements to appropriate personnel.

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:

follow organisational policies and procedures relevant to breaking down logs

break down logs to produce sections in line with a work order and within prescribed organisational specifications

complete these types of basic non-specialist maintenance:

cleaning the machine of wood chips and sawdust

replacing blunt saw blades

inspecting machine parts for wear or damage, including guards

greasing and lubricating moving parts

checking the operation of emergency stop buttons and lock out systems.

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

purpose, features and operation of equipment used to break down logs:

carriages:

standard three headed dog carriages

flat top carriages with head rigs

saws:

circular saws

bench saws

overhead frame saws or band saws

mechanical feed

conveyor system to transport logs to and from the sawing area

maintenance tools and equipment for saws

typical work flow processes for breaking down logs

typical flow of log supply in and out of the sawing area

range of cutting patterns used on logs to achieve maximum output of flitches and cants

range of feed rates and how they affect production output and finished quality of flitches and cants

characterstics of timber

breakdown processes, feed rates and finish

methods for assessing saw blade condition

storage systems and labelling

environmental protection practices for forest products factory settings:

reducing water and energy use

cleaning plant, tools and equipment

disposing of, recycling and reusing timber

typical log defects and how they affect ability to produce quality flitches and cants:

warp

wane

curvature

cupping

shakes

insect defects

knots

resin pockets

organisational policies and procedures specific to breaking down logs:

workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on equipment lock out and use of personal protective equipment

communication reporting lines

recording and reporting processing problems and equipment faults.

The following resources must be made available:

one or more of the following carriages:

standard three headed dog carriages

flat top carriages with head rigs

one or more of the following saws:

circular saws

bench saws

overhead frame saws or band saws

mechanical feed

conveyor system to transport logs to and from the sawing area

maintenance tools and equipment for saws

consumable saw blades

personal protective equipment suitable for rounding logs

a selection of logs

manufacturers’:

instructions for equipment use

recommendations for repairing and maintaining equipment

work order with specific instructions for breaking down logs and despatch to downstream processing

template documents for recording equipment faults and maintenance requirements

relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information

organisational policies and procedures for breaking down logs.

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
Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel. 
Select appropriate personal protective equipment and check for operational effectiveness. 
Plan sawing process in line with work order. 
Use equipment in line with organisational safety procedures, manufacturer’s instructions and environmental protection practices. 
Complete pre start-up checks to ensure operational effectiveness. 
Use dogs to secure and align logs to saw and minimise damage. 
Clear logs of foreign matter and feed into saw at feed rate in line with organisational safety procedures. 
Check break down process regularly and adjust to maintain desired quality and output. 
Reject and dispose of sub-standard material in line with environmental protection practices. 
Direct broken down logs to designated area in line with work order. 
Identify routine processing problems and resolve or report to appropriate personnel. 
Follow organisational safety procedures to lock out equipment. 
Check saw blades for bluntness or damage. 
Remove and replace saw blades in line with manufacturer's recommendations. 
Dispose of used blades in line with environmental protection practices. 
Complete basic non-specialist maintenance for equipment. 
Keep machine clear of dust and debris in line with organisational safety procedures. 
Record and report equipment faults and maintenance requirements to appropriate personnel. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FWPSAW3203 - Break down logs
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

FWPSAW3203 - Break down logs

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: