The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can safely and efficiently identify appropriate trees and apply accurate pruning techniques to crop trees

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to, and satisfy, all of the requirements of the elements of this unit and include demonstration of:

following applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to pruning trees

following organisational policies and procedures relevant to pruning trees

pruning trees in line with work order and organisational requirements

selecting, using, transporting and storing pruning equipment

assessing pruned trees against work order and rectifying incorrect pruning outcomes

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or realistically simulated workplace

Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints

Assessment of required knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context

Assessment is to follow relevant regulatory or Australian Standards requirements

The following resources should be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace

materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this unit

specifications and work instructions

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI11 Training Package

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of required knowledge

Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills

Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access and correctly interpret and apply the required knowledge

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate

Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English

Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment

Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Required skills

Technical skills sufficient to use and maintain relevant tools, machinery and equipment; identify and select crop trees; efficiently and safely apply pruning techniques; recognise common diseases, pests and nutritional deficiencies

Communication skills sufficient to use appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques with colleagues and others, including landholders and internal and external bodies and groups

Literacy skills sufficient to locate, record and report information

Numeracy skills sufficient to measure, estimate and calculate time required to complete a task

Problem solving skills sufficient to review and identify work requirements; identify problems and equipment faults; demonstrate appropriate response procedures

Required knowledge

Applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices relevant to the full range of processes for pruning trees

Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material and returning the environment to its original or near to original condition on completion of activity

Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for pruning trees

Environmental risks and hazards

Using material effectively and efficiently

Form pruning techniques

Hazards associated with pruning trees

Established communication channels and protocols

Problem identification and resolution strategies, and common fault finding techniques

Types of tools and equipment, and procedures for their safe use and maintenance

Appropriate mathematical procedures for estimating and measuring, including calculating time to complete tasks

Procedures for recording and reporting workplace information

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

OHS requirements:

are to be in line with applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:

personal protective equipment and clothing

safety equipment

first aid equipment

fire fighting equipment

hazard and risk control

fatigue management

elimination of hazardous materials and substances

safe forest practices, including required actions relating to forest fire

manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying

Environmental may include:

legislation

organisational policies and procedures

workplace practices

Legislative requirements:

are to be in line with applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice and may include:

award and enterprise agreements

industrial relations

Australian Standards

confidentiality and privacy

OHS

the environment

equal opportunity

anti-discrimination

relevant industry codes of practice

duty of care

Organisational requirements may include:

legal

organisational and site guidelines

policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility

quality assurance

procedural manuals

quality and continuous improvement processes and standards

OHS, emergency and evacuation procedures

ethical standards

recording and reporting requirements

equipment use, maintenance and storage requirements

environmental management requirements (waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)

Environmental protection measures may include:

ground growth

canopy

general forest lean

wind speed and direction

fallen trees

density of trees

ground slope

soil and water protection

ground hazards and obstacles

contingencies for modifying operations during wet or other adverse weather conditions

hygiene of the area

relevant commonwealth, state or territory, and local legislation and regulations

Work order may include:

tree species

required safety clothing and equipment

required pruning equipment

tree selection

production target

required pruning quality

instructions for the environmental monitoring of work and procedures

environmental care requirements relevant to the work

Appropriate personnel may include:

supervisors

clients

colleagues

line management

Equipment may include:

pruners

jacksaw

pouch

steps

epicormic remover

pole saw

ladder

climbing gear

elevated work platform

cherry picker

Hazards may include:

slope

water

rock

undergrowth

slash

depressions and holes

falling or fallen branches

ladder placement or instability

climbing ladders

loss of balance

damp conditions

Communication may include:

verbal and non-verbal language

constructive feedback

active listening

questioning to clarify and confirm understanding

use of positive, confident and cooperative language

use of language and concepts appropriate to individual social and cultural differences

control of tone of voice

Selected may include:

dominance and vigour

leader defects

straightness

lean

size

angle

number of branches

overall tree health

stocking

green crowns

spacing and quality requirements

Pruned

is the process of removing branches, epicormics and green shoots to ensure quality requirements

Disposing of may include:

recycling pruned material where appropriate

sending pruned material to landfill where it cannot be recycled

redirecting pruned material for energy recovery

Records and reports may include:

pruning outcomes and processes

production and quality

hazards

incidents

equipment malfunctions

and may be:

manual

a computer-based system

other appropriate organisational communication system