Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

FPIHAR3213B Mapping and Delivery Guide
Conduct mechanically assisted tree falling operations

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency FPIHAR3213B - Conduct mechanically assisted tree falling operations
Description This unit describes the outcomes required to use machinery, winches and cables to push or pull trees away from their natural direction of fallCompliance with licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may be required in various jurisdictions
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills
Learning Outcomes and Application The unit involves conducting mechanically assisted tree falling operations in a forest or farm forest environmentThe skills and knowledge required for competent workplace performance are to be used within the scope of the person's job and authority
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Harvesting and Haulage
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare for treepushing or pulling
  • Applicable Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to conducting mechanically assisted tree falling operations are identified and followed
  • Work plan is reviewed and checked with appropriate personnel
  • Type and quantity of trees to be pushed or pulled are identified and assessed for safe working conditions
  • Equipment is selected appropriate to work requirements and checked for operational effectiveness in line with manufacturer's recommendations
  • Tree pushing or pulling activities are planned in line with site procedures, taking into consideration environmental requirements where it is safe to do so
  • Communication with others is established and maintained in line with OHS requirements
       
Element: Assess and plan tree pushing or pulling
  • Environmental conditions are assessed and used to plan the felling of each tree
  • Movement and whereabouts of other personnel is monitored and work modified to be in line with OHS regulations
  • Tree, location and stability are assessed for conditions likely to affect safety of tree pushing or pulling activities
  • Tree is visually assessed for defects, grade and recovery status
  • Growth around tree and escape route is selected and cleared either manually or mechanically
  • Fall direction and allowable degree of error are assessed, considering hang ups, damage and extraction constraints
  • Cutting sequence is planned to control direction of the fall and minimise damage to the tree and surrounding environment and communicated to other personnel
  • Trees too dangerous to be felled safely are marked and referred to appropriate personnel
       
Element: Push or pull trees
  • Pre start-up checks are carried out on equipment in line with site requirements
  • Leaders are removed and cleared in line with the tree pushing or pulling plan
  • Unexpected characteristics of a tree are diagnosed and planning is reviewed
  • Winches or cables or machinery are secured and tensioned and scarf cut made in line with planned falling direction and OHS requirements
  • Appropriate cuts are made to assist the fall angle of the tree and should be placed below the scarf cut
  • Falling is completed once initiated and planned escape route used once the tree begins to fall
  • Movement of the tree on the ground is monitored until stable and trees which hang up are flagged and cleared immediately
  • Tree pushing or pulling process and equipment faults are recorded and reported to the appropriate personnel
       
Element: Conduct operator maintenance
  • Equipment lock-out procedures are followed in line with OHS legislation and site procedures
  • Chain is checked for blunt or damaged condition
  • Chain and other components are removed, sharpened, maintained, adjusted and replaced in line with manufacturer's recommendations
  • Tree pushing or pulling equipment is checked for operation and serviced
  • Chainsaw set-up is assessed and adjusted to suit cutting conditions
  • Chainsaw is kept in operational condition and checked to ensure it meets relevant standards prior to use
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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 apply tree pushing or pulling techniques mechanically within organisational requirements

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 conducting mechanically assisted tree falling operations

following organisational policies and procedures relevant to conducting mechanically assisted tree falling operations

applying tree pushing or pulling techniques in line with the work plan and within prescribed organisational tolerances

conducting operator maintenance on a chainsaw

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


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

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; efficiently and safely apply tree pushing or pulling techniques

Communication skills and interpersonal techniques sufficient to interact appropriately with colleagues and others in the workplace

Literacy skills sufficient to accurately record and maintain information relating to tree pushing or pulling

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

Problem solving skills sufficient to identify problems and equipment faults and 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 conducting mechanically assisted tree falling operations

Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material and the cleaning of plant, tools and equipment

Characteristics of trees and timber defects

Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for conducting mechanically assisted tree falling operations

Tree pushing or pulling methods

Chainsaw operation, cutting sequences and safety

Chainsaw chain and tree pushing or pulling equipment condition assessment

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, operation and maintenance

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

Procedures for recording and reporting workplace records and 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.

Trees

are those in positions where conventional cutting techniques will not facilitate desired fall direction

Pushed or pulled

is the process of felling trees away from their natural direction of fall using machinery, winches or cables by pushing or pulling with winches or cables held in position by wrapping the cables around the tree to be cut

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

erection of signs

elimination of hazardous materials and substances

safe forest practices including required actions relating to forest fire

manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying

Environmental requirements 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 and maintenance and storage requirements

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

Work plan is to include

instructions for tree pushing or pulling for the work site

and may include:

type

size

length

quantity

grade

instructions for the environmental monitoring of work and procedures

environmental care requirements relevant to the work

Appropriate personnel may include:

supervisors

suppliers

clients

colleagues

managers

Equipment may include:

machinery

excavators

winches

cables

chainsaws

specific safety attire

maintenance tools and equipment

and is to include:

procedures for chainsaw lock-out such as protecting operators and co-workers from accidental injury by isolating the machine

Communication may include:

verbal and non-verbal language

hand or other agreed signals

eye contact with other operators or personnel

active listening

questioning to clarify and confirm understanding

use of electronic communication devices

Environmental conditions may include:

ground growth

ground slope

gullies

water courses

seed trees

habitat trees

ground hazards

obstacles

Stability:

is the physical stability of the tree in-situ, that it is safe to fell and not likely to contain wet or dry rot

Defects may include:

shakes

insect defects

knots

resin pockets

Grade is to include:

evaluation of the tree for defects

quality and size of log return

Fall direction

is the natural direction the tree will fall considering its degree of natural lean or its ground position on a slope or in a gully

Hang ups

are trees which become entangled or snagged with other objects, usually other standing trees and do not fall completely to the ground

Extraction

is the method of removing the log from the worksite with mechanical equipment and cables, considering site conditions and specific log location

Cutting sequence

is the best direction or angle for making cuts to facilitate achieving the required fall direction

Pre start-up checks

are conducted to ensure:

equipment has been set-up correctly

the systems are performing accurately and operating to optimum performance

Leaders are to include:

new tree growth from the base or near the base of the tree

Winches or cables

are the equipment used to assist the tree falling in an opposing direction to its natural fall by wrapping the cables around the tree and another object, combined by the winch, pressure is brought on the tree to fall in an opposing direction

Machinery may include:

excavators

Records and reports may include:

tree type

size

length

diameter

inspection

grading and labelling outcomes

storage locations

quality outcomes

hazards

incidents

equipment malfunctions

and may be:

manual

using a computer-based system or another appropriate organisational communication system

Chain

is the fast moving component surrounding the chainsaw blade containing many linked teeth

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Applicable Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to conducting mechanically assisted tree falling operations are identified and followed 
Work plan is reviewed and checked with appropriate personnel 
Type and quantity of trees to be pushed or pulled are identified and assessed for safe working conditions 
Equipment is selected appropriate to work requirements and checked for operational effectiveness in line with manufacturer's recommendations 
Tree pushing or pulling activities are planned in line with site procedures, taking into consideration environmental requirements where it is safe to do so 
Communication with others is established and maintained in line with OHS requirements 
Environmental conditions are assessed and used to plan the felling of each tree 
Movement and whereabouts of other personnel is monitored and work modified to be in line with OHS regulations 
Tree, location and stability are assessed for conditions likely to affect safety of tree pushing or pulling activities 
Tree is visually assessed for defects, grade and recovery status 
Growth around tree and escape route is selected and cleared either manually or mechanically 
Fall direction and allowable degree of error are assessed, considering hang ups, damage and extraction constraints 
Cutting sequence is planned to control direction of the fall and minimise damage to the tree and surrounding environment and communicated to other personnel 
Trees too dangerous to be felled safely are marked and referred to appropriate personnel 
Pre start-up checks are carried out on equipment in line with site requirements 
Leaders are removed and cleared in line with the tree pushing or pulling plan 
Unexpected characteristics of a tree are diagnosed and planning is reviewed 
Winches or cables or machinery are secured and tensioned and scarf cut made in line with planned falling direction and OHS requirements 
Appropriate cuts are made to assist the fall angle of the tree and should be placed below the scarf cut 
Falling is completed once initiated and planned escape route used once the tree begins to fall 
Movement of the tree on the ground is monitored until stable and trees which hang up are flagged and cleared immediately 
Tree pushing or pulling process and equipment faults are recorded and reported to the appropriate personnel 
Equipment lock-out procedures are followed in line with OHS legislation and site procedures 
Chain is checked for blunt or damaged condition 
Chain and other components are removed, sharpened, maintained, adjusted and replaced in line with manufacturer's recommendations 
Tree pushing or pulling equipment is checked for operation and serviced 
Chainsaw set-up is assessed and adjusted to suit cutting conditions 
Chainsaw is kept in operational condition and checked to ensure it meets relevant standards prior to use 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FPIHAR3213B - Conduct mechanically assisted tree falling operations
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

FPIHAR3213B - Conduct mechanically assisted tree falling operations

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: