Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for trimming and cutting
   • Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel.
   • Select appropriate personal protective and other equipment and check for operational effectiveness.
   • Plan trimming and cutting activities in line with work order and environmental conditions.
2. Visually assess felled trees
   • Assess tree location and stability for conditions likely to affect safety of trimming and cutting activities
   • Visually assess tree for defects and identify stresses within tree.
   • Mark trees too dangerous to cut safely and refer to appropriate personnel.
3. Plan cutting
   • Move or stabilise tree for safe cutting in line with site procedures.
   • Select cutting pattern to optimise time and manageable removal of sections.
   • Identify options for utilisation of product.
   • Plan cutting sequence to maintain control of cut sections and minimise cutting problems
   • Select cutting positions considering tree stresses.
   • Clear debris from work area to allow safe access and prevent saw damage and personal injury.
4. Use chainsaw to trim and cut trees
   • Monitor location and movement of other personnel and modify work to ensure safety
   • Establish and maintain communication to ensure safety
   • Secure tree section on each side of planned cut; evaluate and control potential movement.
   • Operate chainsaw to cut tree and limbs and adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of tree and limbs
   • Prepare cut sections for removal from the site.
5. Complete equipment maintenance
   • Follow organisational safety procedures to lock out equipment.
   • Check chain for bluntness or damage.
   • Remove, sharpen, adjust and replace chain and other components in line with manufacturer's recommendations.
   • Record and report trimming and cutting records, equipment faults and maintenance requirements to appropriate personnel.

Range Statement

Not Applicable

---

Performance Evidence

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:

safely and efficiently use a chainsaw to complete these activities:

trim and cut hardwood or softwood trees

delimb trees

trim branches

trim burls and other small growths

use these cutting techniques:

bridging cuts

swinging cuts

side bind cuts

boring

wedge cut

ripping cuts

trim and cut trees in these environmental conditions:

dry weather condition

wet weather condition

low and moderate wind speeds

complete the following maintenance on a chainsaw:

sharpening

refuelling

inspection, identification and replacement of bar, chain, drive sprockets

bar oil checks and top up

air filter, check, clean and replacement

cleaning of saw body, air intake vents and cooling fans

fitting spare chain and tension chain.

---

Knowledge Evidence

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

environmental protection measures including:

action to limit the impact of noise, wind speed and direction, fallen trees, ground slope, ground hazards and obstacles, general forest lean

action to limit the impact to ground growth, canopy, density of trees

action to limit the impact on flora, fauna and habitat

soil and water protection

cleaning plant, tools and equipment

disposing of, recycling and reusing timber and other waste

key features of these varying environmental conditions and effects on tree cutting and trimming activities:

ground growth

ground hazards and obstacles

ground slope

wet and adverse weather conditions

wind speed and direction

typical tree defects and how they affect tree cutting activities:

splits

falling damage

fire damage

insect infestation

pipe

shake

twist

knots and resin pockets

typical tree stresses and how they affect tree cutting activities

tension (fibres being stretched)

compression (fibres being squashed)

neutral fibres

range of chainsaw cutting techniques:

bridging cuts

swinging cuts

side bind cuts

delimbing

boring

wedge cut

ripping cuts

cutting patterns used to optimise time and recovery of product from trees

cutting sequences used to maintain control of cut sections and minimise cutting problems

purpose, features, operation and basic non-specialist repair and maintenance: of chainsaws

methods for assessing chain condition

organisational procedures specific to tree trimming and cutting activities:

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

communication reporting lines

recording and reporting tree cutting outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements.

---