Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare for stump removal operations
- Determine site location and details and clarify with supervisor
- Determine the depth below ground of stump grinding works
- Determine and confirm location and depth of above-and-below-ground services
- Unload stump grinder machine
- Undertake a site-specific risk assessment by identifying work health and safety hazards and assessing risk
- Carry out pre-operational and safety checks
- Check maintenance log is complete and up to date
- Check belts are appropriately tensioned and in good order
- Check teeth are sharp
- Check no teeth are missing or loose
- Check tyre pressure is correct or tracks are appropriately tensioned
- Check levels of oils and fluids
- Check hoses
- Check brakes are operational
- Check cutter head rotates freely and is not obstructed
- Check stump grinder safety features
- Complete preparations for work
- Select and use appropriate personal protective equipment
- Confirm first aid and emergency personnel, equipment and procedures
- Expose stump surrounds manually and check for and remove foreign bodies
- Moisten surrounds as required
- Record and implement work health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures
- Position stump grinder
- Determine exclusion zone for work operations
- Isolate exclusion zone with barriers and signs
- Position machine level within recommended ranges to avoid rollover
- Avoid holes with machine wheels
- Position machine to minimise impact from flying debris
- Position operator in low risk position
- Position operator to provide a clear view of the stump
- Locate safety screens as required
- Undertake removal operations
- Communicate with work team during operations using voice, hand and whistle signals
- Confirm work zone cleared prior to starting cutter head
- Plan to complete a series of grinds across the stump
- Start cutter head
- Stop work if exclusion zone is breached and disengage cutter head if required
- Position cutter head over stump
- Engage cutter head into stump surface
- Maintain engine speed in revolutions-per-minute (RPM)
- Ensure grinding process is accurate, smooth and ergonomic
- Grind stump to recommended depth of cut on each cutting pass
- Ensure the cut size of each pass is not excessively deep causing the machine to labour excessively or to stall
- Grind stump to predetermined spread and depth
- Operate equipment without damaging underground services and surrounding areas
- Remove grindings
- Perform ongoing grinding operations
- Make check in calls at prearranged times
- Inspect grinder as required between stumps and when refuelling
- Shutdown immediately if abnormal vibration or noise develops
- Stop the engine before refuelling and allow engine to cool as required
- Follow Safe Work Method Statement instructions for refuelling
- Replace and secure fuel cap before restarting
- Disengage cutter head and ensure a complete stop before moving to a new stump
- Complete stump removal operation
- Back-fill stump hole to original ground level
- Maintain clean and safe work area throughout work and upon completion
- Collect waste material and dispose of or recycle in a manner causing minimal environmental damage
- Clean, maintain and store tools and equipment
- Perform basic maintenance, including sharpening grinder and replacing teeth as required
- Load grinder in accordance with Safe Work Method Statement
- Secure grinder for transport
- Update records of operator usage in log record
- Update records of maintenance and replacement items