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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare for sawing
  2. Break down logs
  3. Conduct operator maintenance

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 operating a portable sawmill

safely operate a portable sawmill to produce green boards to meet a work order

assess logs for suitability for sawing

use cant hooks, winches, log rollers and mechanical lifting equipment to position logs for sawing and ensure that logs are stable

correctly position the carriage to support the saw and the log

assess blades for replacement and conduct operator maintenance on portable sawmill machinery.


Knowledge Evidence

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

organisational policies and procedures for operating a portable sawmill

features and safe use of portable sawmills and other equipment including:

cant hooks

winches

log rollers

mechanical lifting equipment

prestart up checks for portable sawmills including:

ensuring that the saw has been set-up correctly

ensuring that the blades are installed accurately

ensuring that the machinery is operating to optimum performance

optimisation of log sawing including:

planning the cutting of a log to achieve the most from it (the most and widest boards possible)

ensuring environmental requirements are central to this planning process

the characteristics of logs for sawing, which must include:

diameter range

curvature

faults

species

moisture content

break down processes, feed rates and finish

blade condition assessment

log defects which includes:

defects arising from a change in moisture content

warp

wane

curvature

shakes

insect defects

knots and resin pockets

sweep

taper

end splits

shape

environmental protection requirements for the safe disposal of waste material, and the cleaning of plant, tools and equipment

procedures for recording and reporting workplace information.