Elements and Performance Criteria
- Plan and prepare for operations
- Prepare to work safely according to organisation and site requirements.
- Review work order and clarify with appropriate personnel.
- Select appropriate equipment for work and check for operational effectiveness.
- Plan feller buncher operations in line with site procedures, environmental and heritage concerns
- Identify access to tree or log to be extracted and assess working conditions for safety.
- Determine best placement of feller buncher and confirm level and/or suitable surface for stability of equipment.
- Plan cutting sequence to control direction of the fall and minimise damage to the tree and surrounding environment.
- Operate equipment
- Conduct pre-operational checks on equipment and attachments in line with manufacturer's recommendations and site procedures.
- Detect site hazards associated with feller buncher operations and use safe operating techniques to minimise risk.
- Operate feller buncher within equipment capabilities and limitations and manoeuvre to ensure safe and efficient operations.
- Establish and maintain communication with other personnel to ensure safety in line with safety requirements.
- Fall individual trees mechanically
- Monitor movement and whereabouts of other personnel to ensure safety.
- Progressively plan and communicate cutting sequence for individual trees to minimise tree damage and maximise falling and extraction efficiency.
- Position equipment for stable and safe access to tree and to clamp and cut tree in line with industry and site standards.
- Adjust clamping and cutting techniques as required in response to movement and condition of tree.
- Mark trees that are too dangerous to be felled safely and refer to appropriate personnel.
- Diagnose unexpected characteristics of a tree and review cutting plan.
- Use controlled manipulation of equipment to free tree hang ups to ensure personnel safety and minimise damage to tree and surrounding environment.
- Stack pre-bunched logs and stems to facilitate subsequent extraction operations.
- Move equipment over pre-arranged routes to ensure minimal damage to the environment.
- Carry out machine operator maintenance
- Follow equipment lock-out procedures in line with WHS requirements and site procedures.
- Conduct visual inspection and fault finding procedures are in line with manufacturer's recommendations and site procedures.
- Conduct routine operational servicing to maintain optimum operational performance of equipment.
- Diagnose faults, malfunctions or problems with equipment and report in line with site procedures.
- Clean and store equipment, attachments and other ancillary equipment.
- Record and report feller buncher operation results in line with site procedures.