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

FWPFGM3212 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Fall trees manually (intermediate)

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency FWPFGM3212 - Fall trees manually (intermediate)
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to assess, plan and safely carry out manual tree-felling operations using a chainsaw. 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 except very large trees, and/or those with significant defects and/or characteristics that cause excessive complexity. It applies to trees that have a diameter greater than the bar length of the chainsaw.Trees typical to the scope of this unit may include the following characteristics:lean and weight distribution, which can be assessed and readily adapted to falling direction with the use of wedges and/or control with hinge-woodvarious dimensions relative to local forest size distributionlimited visible damage or defectspecies prone to free splitting and adverse reactions during fellingsingle or multi-stemsdiameter of tree greater than chainsaw bar lengthgrown on terrain and slope that can add complexity to the operationThe unit applies to a non-production environment, including forest, rural and community environments.Licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit in some states & territories at the time of publication, and may differ according to jurisdiction
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

The following resources must be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace of a forest environment with trees typical to the scope of this unit

relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information

PPE and clothing including:

Safety helmet

Safety gloves

Protective footwear

Eye protection

Hearing protection

High visibility clothing

Leg protection (trousers or chaps)

materials and equipment including;

warning signs

chainsaw and components

first aid equipment

maintenance tools and equipment

support tools

manufacturers’ instructions for use and maintenance of equipment

radio or communication device

fire fighting equipment (if prescribed)

specifications and work instructions, including

information and instructions relevant to tree-felling operations, including processing location details and trees to be felled and retained

policy and procedures for work health and safety (WHS)

risk assessment plan

general and specific environmental requirements

applicable state or territory logging code of practice

emergency and evacuation procedures

fire protocols

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
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 felling
  • Identify and comply with applicable work health and safety (WHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to felling trees
  • Identify and adhere to site environmental protection measures according to relevant legislation and regulations
  • Review and check job requirements with appropriate personnel
  • Sharpen and adjust chainsaw or change components according to manufacturer recommendations
  • Assess tree and determine felling requirements
  • Identify and control potential and existing risks and hazards in the work area
  • Identify trees to be retained and felled
  • Establish and maintain communication with others according to WHS requirements
       
Element: Visually assess site conditions and surroundings
  • Review terrain and slope to determine if they add complexity to the operation
  • Assess general factors affecting felling requirements and detect and control specific forest or site risks and hazards
       
Element: Assess tree and plan felling
  • Visually assess tree for felling characteristics
  • Confirm tree is safe to fell
  • Select tools and equipment appropriate to work requirements and check for operational effectiveness according to manufacturer recommendations
  • Identify trees to be felled for size, significant defects and any characteristics causing excessive complexity
  • Assess and progressively plan tree-felling sequence for individual trees
  • Assess and check required falling direction and possible deviation
  • Plan sequence of cuts to fell tree according to standard felling procedures
  • Assess limitations of own skills in safely felling trees, identify trees considered outside own skill level and seek assistance from appropriate personnel where required
  • Monitor and exclude location and activity of other personnel on the work site
       
Element: Apply tree-felling techniques
  • Select suitable escape route and clear of growth and other obstacles according to environmental care principles and statutory requirements
  • Fell individual trees using planned techniques according to site requirements, at a safe distance from other personnel in the work area
  • Adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of tree
  • Use planned escape route when tree starts to fall and monitor the fall and movement of tree on ground until determined stable
  • Delay movement back into the felling area until all tree material, including from adjacent tree crowns, has fallen
  • Identify and implement procedures for removal of trees that are hung-up
  • Dispose of waste materials in line with environmental and operational requirements
  • Detect, rectify and report blunt or damaged saw chain according to workplace procedures
  • Monitor chainsaw for operational effectiveness and record and report faults, malfunctions and problems according to workplace procedures
       


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.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. Prepare for felling

1.1 Identify and comply with applicable work health and safety (WHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to felling trees

1.2 Identify and adhere to site environmental protection measures according to relevant legislation and regulations

1.3 Review and check job requirements with appropriate personnel

1.4 Sharpen and adjust chainsaw or change components according to manufacturer recommendations

1.5 Assess tree and determine felling requirements

1.6 Identify and control potential and existing risks and hazards in the work area

1.7 Identify trees to be retained and felled

1.8 Establish and maintain communication with others according to WHS requirements

2. Visually assess site conditions and surroundings

2.1 Review terrain and slope to determine if they add complexity to the operation

2.2 Assess general factors affecting felling requirements and detect and control specific forest or site risks and hazards

3. Assess tree and plan felling

3.1 Visually assess tree for felling characteristics

3.2 Confirm tree is safe to fell

3.3 Select tools and equipment appropriate to work requirements and check for operational effectiveness according to manufacturer recommendations

3.4 Identify trees to be felled for size, significant defects and any characteristics causing excessive complexity

3.5 Assess and progressively plan tree-felling sequence for individual trees

3.6 Assess and check required falling direction and possible deviation

3.7 Plan sequence of cuts to fell tree according to standard felling procedures

3.8 Assess limitations of own skills in safely felling trees, identify trees considered outside own skill level and seek assistance from appropriate personnel where required

3.9 Monitor and exclude location and activity of other personnel on the work site

4. Apply tree-felling techniques

4.1 Select suitable escape route and clear of growth and other obstacles according to environmental care principles and statutory requirements

4.2 Fell individual trees using planned techniques according to site requirements, at a safe distance from other personnel in the work area

4.3 Adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of tree

4.4 Use planned escape route when tree starts to fall and monitor the fall and movement of tree on ground until determined stable

4.5 Delay movement back into the felling area until all tree material, including from adjacent tree crowns, has fallen

4.6 Identify and implement procedures for removal of trees that are hung-up

4.7 Dispose of waste materials in line with environmental and operational requirements

4.8 Detect, rectify and report blunt or damaged saw chain according to workplace procedures

4.9 Monitor chainsaw for operational effectiveness and record and report faults, malfunctions and problems according to workplace procedures

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:

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

comply with organisational policies and procedures relevant to felling trees manually at an intermediate level

comply with applicable licensing and certification requirements relevant to felling trees at an intermediate level

effectively communicate and use safe working practices, including maintaining an awareness of other personnel activity in the work area

assess site conditions, by applying environmental protection measures, detecting hazards and own skill level for felling trees at an intermediate level

conduct a tree assessment

identify structural defects and stresses in trees and the impact on felling, including exclusion of trees from hand felling due to hazardous and difficult situations for assessment, monitoring and safe falling including a crown that contains dead or broken material, entanglement or malformation

plan a felling sequence for individual trees and preparing surroundings including escape route

fell intermediate trees using appropriate cuts safely without damage to personnel, equipment and surrounding environment

identify trees that are hung up

select, prepare and maintain chainsaw equipment including recognising faults, problems and malfunctions

assess, plan and safely operate chainsaw equipment to manually fell trees at an intermediate level in forest, rural and community environments

use tree felling techniques including scarf cutting , back cutting to provide hinge-wood and the use of wedges to assist in controlling falling direction

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

Workplace health and safety (WHS) requirements including:

PPE and clothing

safety equipment

first aid equipment

firefighting equipment

hazard and risk control procedures

fatigue management procedures

appropriate signage

elimination of hazardous materials and substances procedures

safe forest practices, including required actions relating to fire

techniques for manual handling, including shifting, lifting and carrying

types and purposes of cuts to fell trees, including scarf cutting and back cutting to provide hinge-wood and maintain control of tree

typical tree defects and how these affect tree felling activities:

shakes

insect defects

knots and resin pockets

pipe

drysides

Identifying trees:

that contain hazards and are deemed unsafe to fell

considered outside own skill level

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

hazards and related risks and the impact on felling trees of:

uneven and unstable terrain

unsafe trees

fires

overhead and underground services

excavations

traffic

structures

hazardous materials

insects and animals

other personnel and machinery

methods used to remove trees that are hung up and procedures for removal

methods for assessing chain condition

environmental protection measures to follow when felling trees related to:

native vegetation

soil and water

heritage and archeological artefacts

flora and fauna

geomorphologic features

landscape

external site pollution

recreational opportunities

regeneration opportunities

cleaning plant, tools and equipment

disposing of, recycling and reusing timber and other waste

key features of these varying environmental conditions and their effects on intermediate tree felling activities:

general forest lean

ground growth

ground hazards and obstacles

ground slope

gullies

presence and density of seed and habitat trees

water courses

wet and adverse weather conditions

wind speed and direction

the use of types of tools and equipment for felling trees manually, and the procedures for their safe use, operation and maintenance including:

warning signs

chainsaw and components

PPE and clothing

first aid equipment

maintenance requirements

support tools

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.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. Prepare for felling

1.1 Identify and comply with applicable work health and safety (WHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to felling trees

1.2 Identify and adhere to site environmental protection measures according to relevant legislation and regulations

1.3 Review and check job requirements with appropriate personnel

1.4 Sharpen and adjust chainsaw or change components according to manufacturer recommendations

1.5 Assess tree and determine felling requirements

1.6 Identify and control potential and existing risks and hazards in the work area

1.7 Identify trees to be retained and felled

1.8 Establish and maintain communication with others according to WHS requirements

2. Visually assess site conditions and surroundings

2.1 Review terrain and slope to determine if they add complexity to the operation

2.2 Assess general factors affecting felling requirements and detect and control specific forest or site risks and hazards

3. Assess tree and plan felling

3.1 Visually assess tree for felling characteristics

3.2 Confirm tree is safe to fell

3.3 Select tools and equipment appropriate to work requirements and check for operational effectiveness according to manufacturer recommendations

3.4 Identify trees to be felled for size, significant defects and any characteristics causing excessive complexity

3.5 Assess and progressively plan tree-felling sequence for individual trees

3.6 Assess and check required falling direction and possible deviation

3.7 Plan sequence of cuts to fell tree according to standard felling procedures

3.8 Assess limitations of own skills in safely felling trees, identify trees considered outside own skill level and seek assistance from appropriate personnel where required

3.9 Monitor and exclude location and activity of other personnel on the work site

4. Apply tree-felling techniques

4.1 Select suitable escape route and clear of growth and other obstacles according to environmental care principles and statutory requirements

4.2 Fell individual trees using planned techniques according to site requirements, at a safe distance from other personnel in the work area

4.3 Adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of tree

4.4 Use planned escape route when tree starts to fall and monitor the fall and movement of tree on ground until determined stable

4.5 Delay movement back into the felling area until all tree material, including from adjacent tree crowns, has fallen

4.6 Identify and implement procedures for removal of trees that are hung-up

4.7 Dispose of waste materials in line with environmental and operational requirements

4.8 Detect, rectify and report blunt or damaged saw chain according to workplace procedures

4.9 Monitor chainsaw for operational effectiveness and record and report faults, malfunctions and problems according to workplace procedures

Not Applicable
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 work health and safety (WHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to felling trees 
Identify and adhere to site environmental protection measures according to relevant legislation and regulations 
Review and check job requirements with appropriate personnel 
Sharpen and adjust chainsaw or change components according to manufacturer recommendations 
Assess tree and determine felling requirements 
Identify and control potential and existing risks and hazards in the work area 
Identify trees to be retained and felled 
Establish and maintain communication with others according to WHS requirements 
Review terrain and slope to determine if they add complexity to the operation 
Assess general factors affecting felling requirements and detect and control specific forest or site risks and hazards 
Visually assess tree for felling characteristics 
Confirm tree is safe to fell 
Select tools and equipment appropriate to work requirements and check for operational effectiveness according to manufacturer recommendations 
Identify trees to be felled for size, significant defects and any characteristics causing excessive complexity 
Assess and progressively plan tree-felling sequence for individual trees 
Assess and check required falling direction and possible deviation 
Plan sequence of cuts to fell tree according to standard felling procedures 
Assess limitations of own skills in safely felling trees, identify trees considered outside own skill level and seek assistance from appropriate personnel where required 
Monitor and exclude location and activity of other personnel on the work site 
Select suitable escape route and clear of growth and other obstacles according to environmental care principles and statutory requirements 
Fell individual trees using planned techniques according to site requirements, at a safe distance from other personnel in the work area 
Adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of tree 
Use planned escape route when tree starts to fall and monitor the fall and movement of tree on ground until determined stable 
Delay movement back into the felling area until all tree material, including from adjacent tree crowns, has fallen 
Identify and implement procedures for removal of trees that are hung-up 
Dispose of waste materials in line with environmental and operational requirements 
Detect, rectify and report blunt or damaged saw chain according to workplace procedures 
Monitor chainsaw for operational effectiveness and record and report faults, malfunctions and problems according to workplace procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FWPFGM3212 - Fall 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

FWPFGM3212 - Fall 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: