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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for trimming and cutting
   • Identify site environmental protection measures and adhere to in line with relevant legislation and regulations
   • Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel.
   • Select appropriate personal protective and other equipment and check for operational effectiveness, including pre-start checks.
   • Plan trimming and cutting activities in line with work order and environmental conditions.
2. Visually assess trees and suitability for cutting.
   • Assess tree location and stability for conditions likely to affect safety of trimming and cutting activities.
   • Visually assess trees for defects, grades and recovery status.
   • Assess trees for extraction and suitable transport method.
   • 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, volume recovery and quality.
   • Plan cutting sequence to maintain control of cut sections and minimise cutting problems.
   • Select, measure and mark cutting positions in line with work requirements and industry standard lengths.
   • 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.
   • Secure tree section on each side of planned cut; evaluate and control potential movement.
   • Operate saw to cut tree and adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of tree.
   • Complete cut once started and minimise capping and splitting.
   • Square cut butts, trim accessible branches and knots and remove head of tree.
   • Prepare logs for extraction in line with organisational requirements.
5. Complete operator maintenance
   • Inspect equipment on completion of trimming and cutting activities.
   • 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 production outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements to appropriate personnel.

Range Statement

Not Applicable

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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:

follow organisational policies and procedures relevant to trimming and cutting harvested trees

effectively communicate and work safely

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

use of wedges

trim and cut trees in these environmental conditions:

dry weather condition

wet weather condition

low and moderate wind speeds

complete maintenance on a chainsaw.

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Knowledge Evidence

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

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

pre-start up checks

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

chain sharpening

bar oil checks and top-up

aor filter, check, clean and replacement

refuelling

range of chainsaw cutting techniques including:

bridging cuts

swinging cuts

side bind cuts

delimbing

boring

wedge cut

use of wedges

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

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

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

general forest lean

ground growth

ground hazards and obstacles

ground slope

gullies

presence and density of seed and habitat trees

water courses

wet and adverse weather conditions

wind speed and direction

typical tree defects and how these affect tree cutting activities and quality of finished product:

shakes

insect defects

knots and resin pockets

pipe

lumps

bumps

drysides

range of industry standard:

lengths and tolerances and applicable terminology

grades for log and applicable terminology

methods for assessing chain condition

organisational policies and 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 production outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements

environmental protection practices for forest and farm forest settings:

soil and water protection

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

reducing water and energy use

cleaning plant, tools and equipment

disposing of, recycling and reusing timber and other waste

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