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

FPIHAR3220 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Harvest trees manually (intermediate)

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency FPIHAR3220 - Harvest trees manually (intermediate)
Description This unit specifies the outcomes required to assess, plan and safely carry out manual tree-felling operations using a chainsaw in a commercial harvesting environment. This unit covers the felling procedures for trees with a level of complexity that requires significant tree assessment and practical felling skills. Persons competent in this unit should be able to effectively fell most trees with the exception of the very large, and those with significant defects and/or characteristics causing excessive complexity. Techniques for trees with a diameter greater than the bar length would generally be regarded as within the scope of this unit.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit involves felling trees in a commercial harvesting operation in a forest environment producing forest products. These skills and knowledge 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 Not applicable
Competency Field n/a
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: Determine harvesting requirements
  • Identify and comply with applicable occupational health and safety (OHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to harvesting trees
  • Identify and adhere to site environmental protectionmeasures according to harvesting plan and relevant legislation and regulations
  • Review job requirements and check as required with appropriate personnel
  • Identify log extraction method and requirements
  • Identify requirements for product quality
  • Determine harvesting requirements, and plan tree felling sequence and general falling directions
  • Establish and maintain communication with others according to OHS requirements
       
Element: Assess harvest site
  • Assess location and stability of harvest site for conditions likely to affect harvesting activities
  • Identify and assess environmental conditions according to harvest plan
  • Identify trees to be felled according to harvest plan
  • Assess factors affecting harvesting requirements and detect and control specific forest or site risks and hazards
  • Note and monitor other personnel working on the site and modify activity where required
       
Element: Visually assess trees and plan felling
  • Locate and visually assess trees for felling characteristics
  • Check planned falling direction and propose deviation if required
  • Select cutting pattern to optimise time and manageable removal of sections
  • Plan sequence of cuts to fell tree according to standard felling procedures and log quality requirements
  • Identify trees considered outside own skill level and seek assistance from appropriate personnel
  • Select suitable escape route
  • Clear work site and escape route of growth and debris according to environmental care principles and statutory requirements
       
Element: Prepare equipment
  • Select tools and equipment appropriate to work requirements and check them for operational effectiveness according to manufacturer recommendations
  • Sharpen and adjust chainsaw or change components according to manufacturer recommendations
  • Carry out pre start-up checks on equipment according to felling requirements
       
Element: Fell trees
  • Fell individual trees using selected cutting techniques according to OHS and job requirements
  • Adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of tree
  • Use planned escape route when tree starts to fall
  • Monitor fall and movement of tree on ground until determined stable
  • Fell trees to meet production levels, log extraction methods and site requirements
  • Identify and implement procedures for removal of trees that are hung-up
       
Element: Maintain equipment
  • Inspect equipment on completion of harvesting activities
  • Identify damaged saws and cutting attachments for repair or replacement according to organisational requirements and manufacturer recommendations
  • Remove, clean, adjust or replace chain and other components according to manufacturer recommendations
  • Maintain tools and equipment according to OHS requirements and manufacturer recommendations
       


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, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Overview of assessment

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can assess, plan and safely and efficiently operate chainsaw equipment to manually harvest trees at the intermediate level in a forest environment

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:

compliance with applicable federal, state or territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice including OHS, environmental and organisational policies and procedures relevant to harvesting trees at an intermediate level

compliance with licensing or certification requirements relevant to harvesting trees at an intermediate level

communicating and working safely with others in the work area

assessing, planning and safely felling trees without damage to personnel, equipment and surrounding environment

planning felling sequence and preparing surroundings for harvesting operations

preparing, operating and maintaining chainsaw equipment and other felling equipment

applying appropriate extraction methods

applying specifications as outlined in harvesting plan

Context of and specific resources for assessment

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

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

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

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements and Australian standards

The following resources should be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace

materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this units

work instructions specific to tree felling

Method of assessment

Assessment methods 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 underpinning knowledge

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

Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access, interpret and apply the essential underpinning 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 to:

use and maintain relevant tools and equipment

safely operate and maintain a chainsaw

assess, plan and carry out tree-felling operations appropriate to site conditions

Communication skills to:

use appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques and methods with colleagues and others

use hand signals with other operators to maintain effective and safe tree felling

Literacy skills to:

locate and report information

interpret, apply and convey information in written, diagrammatic and/or verbal form

Numeracy skills to:

estimate tree height

calculate product mass and determine tree fall zone

measure tree length and diameter

Problem-solving skills to:

review and identify work requirements

recognise own limitations in conditions and trees for felling

identify problems and equipment faults and demonstrate appropriate response procedures

apply safe work practices, including using personal protective equipment (PPE) and controlling hazards

comply with legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices and procedures for felling trees manually

Planning and organising skills to work to site requirements and extraction methods

Required knowledge:

Basic knowledge of applicable federal, state or territory legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice relevant to the full range of processes for felling trees manually

Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material

Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for harvesting trees manually

Types of tools and equipment for harvesting trees manually, and the procedures for their safe use, operation and maintenance

Problem identification and resolution strategies and common fault-finding techniques

Established communication channels and protocols

Identification and evaluation of structural defects in trees

Types and purposes of a range of cuts to fell trees

Operational principles and limitations of a chainsaw

Procedures for recording and reporting workplace information

Site production requirements

Fire protocols

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

OHS requirements:

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

PPE and clothing

safety equipment

first aid equipment

firefighting equipment

hazard and risk control

fatigue management

appropriate signage

elimination of hazardous materials and substances

safe forest practices, including required actions relating to forest fire

techniques for manual handling, including shifting, lifting and carrying

Legislative requirements:

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

award and organisational agreements

industrial relations

Australian standards

confidentiality and privacy

OHS

the environment

native vegetation

equal employment opportunity

anti-discrimination

relevant industry codes of practice

duty of care

Organisational requirements may include:

legal compliance documentation

organisational and site guidelines

policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility

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, including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines

Trees typical to the scope of this unit may include the following characteristics:

lean and weight distribution that can be assessed and readily adapted to falling direction with the use of wedges and/or control with hinge-wood

various dimensions relative to local forest size distribution

limited visible damage and/or defect

species prone to free splitting and adverse reactions during felling

a crown that contains dead or broken material, entanglement or malformation and is visible for assessment and monitoring

single or multi-stems

diameter of tree greater than chainsaw bar length

grown on terrain and slope that can add complexity to the operation

Environmental protection measures may include action to limit the impact to:

native vegetation

soil and water

heritage and archeological artefacts

flora and fauna

geomorphologic features

landscape

external site pollution

recreational opportunities

regeneration opportunities

Harvesting plan:

is a formal document that outlines the operational requirements of the work site, which may include:

extraction plan

traffic plan

environmental requirements

restricted areas

identified hazards

harvesting prescription

product volumes

while site plan document may be named differently between jurisdictions and regions, its common terms may include:

coupe plan

forest practices plan

site or logging plan

Job requirements may include:

information and instructions relevant to tree-felling operations, including:

processing location details

trees to be felled and retained

general environmental requirements

site plan and environmental features

Appropriate personnel may include:

supervisors

clients

colleagues

managers

Log extraction methods may include:

skidding

forwarding

using cable

shovel logging

Requirements for product quality may include:

product specifications

stump shatter

butt splitting

log breakage

stump height

Communication may include:

verbal and non-verbal language

hand or other agreed signals

eye contact with other operators or personnel

active listening and questioning to clarify and confirm understanding

electronic communication devices

Environmental conditions may relate to:

ground growth

canopy

general forest lean

ground slope

ground hazards

wind speed and direction

Hazards may include:

uneven and unstable terrain

unsafe trees

fires

overhead and underground services

excavations

traffic

structures

hazardous materials

insects and animals

other personnel and machinery

Trees considered outside own skill levelinclude:

trees that contain hazards and are deemed unsafe

trees that are considered to be in the advanced category

trees where cuts made may lead to loss of control of tree in felling

Tools and equipment may include:

warning signs

chainsaw and components

PPE and clothing

first aid equipment

maintenance requirements

support tools

Cutting techniques:

will include:

scarf cutting

back cutting to provide hinge-wood and maintain control of tree

and may include:

use of wedges to assist in controlling falling direction

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
Identify and comply with applicable occupational health and safety (OHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to harvesting trees 
Identify and adhere to site environmental protectionmeasures according to harvesting plan and relevant legislation and regulations 
Review job requirements and check as required with appropriate personnel 
Identify log extraction method and requirements 
Identify requirements for product quality 
Determine harvesting requirements, and plan tree felling sequence and general falling directions 
Establish and maintain communication with others according to OHS requirements 
Assess location and stability of harvest site for conditions likely to affect harvesting activities 
Identify and assess environmental conditions according to harvest plan 
Identify trees to be felled according to harvest plan 
Assess factors affecting harvesting requirements and detect and control specific forest or site risks and hazards 
Note and monitor other personnel working on the site and modify activity where required 
Locate and visually assess trees for felling characteristics 
Check planned falling direction and propose deviation if required 
Select cutting pattern to optimise time and manageable removal of sections 
Plan sequence of cuts to fell tree according to standard felling procedures and log quality requirements 
Identify trees considered outside own skill level and seek assistance from appropriate personnel 
Select suitable escape route 
Clear work site and escape route of growth and debris according to environmental care principles and statutory requirements 
Select tools and equipment appropriate to work requirements and check them for operational effectiveness according to manufacturer recommendations 
Sharpen and adjust chainsaw or change components according to manufacturer recommendations 
Carry out pre start-up checks on equipment according to felling requirements 
Fell individual trees using selected cutting techniques according to OHS and job requirements 
Adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of tree 
Use planned escape route when tree starts to fall 
Monitor fall and movement of tree on ground until determined stable 
Fell trees to meet production levels, log extraction methods and site requirements 
Identify and implement procedures for removal of trees that are hung-up 
Inspect equipment on completion of harvesting activities 
Identify damaged saws and cutting attachments for repair or replacement according to organisational requirements and manufacturer recommendations 
Remove, clean, adjust or replace chain and other components according to manufacturer recommendations 
Maintain tools and equipment according to OHS requirements and manufacturer recommendations 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FPIHAR3220 - Harvest trees manually (intermediate)
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

FPIHAR3220 - Harvest trees manually (intermediate)

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: