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

FWPHAR2207 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Trim and cut harvested trees

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency FWPHAR2207 - Trim and cut harvested trees
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to trim and cut harvested (felled) trees with a chainsaw for commercial production. Work is completed in a a forest or forest farm setting and includes operator maintenance.The unit applies to Forestry Worker, Chainsaw Operator, Arboriculture Technician, Farm Forestry Worker, Plantation Forest Officer.No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

The following resources must be made available:

chainsaws

chainsaw fuel and oil containers

hardwood or softwood trees for cutting

hammer

axe

wedges

cant hook or breaking bar

tool belt

loggers tape

maintenance tools and equipment for chainsaws

personal protective equipment suitable for cutting trees and maintaining chainsaws

manufacturers’ instructions for use and maintenance of equipment

work order with specific instructions for tree cutting activities

template reports for recording tree cutting outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements

organisational policies and procedures for tree trimming and cutting activities.

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 trimming and cutting
  • Identify site environmental protection measures and adhere to in line with relevant legislation and regulations
  • Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel.
  • Select appropriate personal protective and other equipment and check for operational effectiveness, including pre-start checks.
  • Plan trimming and cutting activities in line with work order and environmental conditions.
       
Element: Visually assess trees and suitability for cutting.
  • Assess tree location and stability for conditions likely to affect safety of trimming and cutting activities.
  • Visually assess trees for defects, grades and recovery status.
  • Assess trees for extraction and suitable transport method.
  • Mark trees too dangerous to cut safely and refer to appropriate personnel.
       
Element: Plan cutting.
  • Move or stabilise tree for safe cutting in line with site procedures.
  • Select cutting pattern to optimise time, volume recovery and quality.
  • Plan cutting sequence to maintain control of cut sections and minimise cutting problems.
  • Select, measure and mark cutting positions in line with work requirements and industry standard lengths.
  • Clear debris from work area to allow safe access and prevent saw damage and personal injury.
       
Element: Use chainsaw to trim and cut trees
  • Monitor location and movement of other personnel and modify work to ensure safety.
  • Secure tree section on each side of planned cut; evaluate and control potential movement.
  • Operate saw to cut tree and adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of tree.
  • Complete cut once started and minimise capping and splitting.
  • Square cut butts, trim accessible branches and knots and remove head of tree.
  • Prepare logs for extraction in line with organisational requirements.
       
Element: Complete operator maintenance
  • Inspect equipment on completion of trimming and cutting activities.
  • Follow organisational safety procedures to lock out equipment.
  • Check chain for bluntness or damage.
  • Remove, sharpen, adjust and replace chain and other components in line with manufacturer's recommendations.
  • Record and report production outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements to appropriate personnel.
       


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 trimming and cutting

1.1 Identify site environmental protection measures and adhere to in line with relevant legislation and regulations

1.2 Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel.

1.3 Select appropriate personal protective and other equipment and check for operational effectiveness, including pre-start checks.

1.4 Plan trimming and cutting activities in line with work order and environmental conditions.

2. Visually assess trees and suitability for cutting.

2.1 Assess tree location and stability for conditions likely to affect safety of trimming and cutting activities.

2.2 Visually assess trees for defects, grades and recovery status.

2.3 Assess trees for extraction and suitable transport method.

2.4 Mark trees too dangerous to cut safely and refer to appropriate personnel.

3. Plan cutting.

3.1 Move or stabilise tree for safe cutting in line with site procedures.

3.2 Select cutting pattern to optimise time, volume recovery and quality.

3.3 Plan cutting sequence to maintain control of cut sections and minimise cutting problems.

3.4 Select, measure and mark cutting positions in line with work requirements and industry standard lengths.

3.5 Clear debris from work area to allow safe access and prevent saw damage and personal injury.

4. Use chainsaw to trim and cut trees

4.1 Monitor location and movement of other personnel and modify work to ensure safety.

4.2 Secure tree section on each side of planned cut; evaluate and control potential movement.

4.3 Operate saw to cut tree and adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of tree.

4.4 Complete cut once started and minimise capping and splitting.

4.5 Square cut butts, trim accessible branches and knots and remove head of tree.

4.6 Prepare logs for extraction in line with organisational requirements.

5. Complete operator maintenance

5.1 Inspect equipment on completion of trimming and cutting activities.

5.2 Follow organisational safety procedures to lock out equipment.

5.3 Check chain for bluntness or damage.

5.4 Remove, sharpen, adjust and replace chain and other components in line with manufacturer's recommendations.

5.5 Record and report production outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements to appropriate personnel.

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 trimming and cutting harvested trees

effectively communicate and work safely

safely and efficiently use a chainsaw to complete these activities:

trim and cut hardwood or softwood trees

delimb trees

trim branches

trim burls and other small growths

use these cutting techniques:

bridging cuts

swinging cuts

side bind cuts

boring

wedge cut

use of wedges

trim and cut trees in these environmental conditions:

dry weather condition

wet weather condition

low and moderate wind speeds

complete maintenance on a chainsaw.

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

purpose, features, operation and basic non-specialist repair and maintenance of chainsaws including:

pre-start up checks

inspection, identification and replacement of bar, chain and drive sprockets

chain sharpening

bar oil checks and top-up

aor filter, check, clean and replacement

refuelling

range of chainsaw cutting techniques including:

bridging cuts

swinging cuts

side bind cuts

delimbing

boring

wedge cut

use of wedges

cutting patterns used to to optimise time and recovery of product from trees

cutting sequences used to maintain control of cut sections and minimise cutting problems

key features of these varying environmental conditions and effects on tree cutting and trimming 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

typical tree defects and how these affect tree cutting activities and quality of finished product:

shakes

insect defects

knots and resin pockets

pipe

lumps

bumps

drysides

range of industry standard:

lengths and tolerances and applicable terminology

grades for log and applicable terminology

methods for assessing chain condition

organisational policies and procedures specific to tree trimming and cutting activities:

workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on equipment lock out and use of personal protective equipment

communication reporting lines

recording and reporting production outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements

environmental protection practices for forest and farm forest settings:

soil and water protection

action to limit the impact to ground growth, canopy, density of trees

reducing water and energy use

cleaning plant, tools and equipment

disposing of, recycling and reusing timber and other waste

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 trimming and cutting

1.1 Identify site environmental protection measures and adhere to in line with relevant legislation and regulations

1.2 Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel.

1.3 Select appropriate personal protective and other equipment and check for operational effectiveness, including pre-start checks.

1.4 Plan trimming and cutting activities in line with work order and environmental conditions.

2. Visually assess trees and suitability for cutting.

2.1 Assess tree location and stability for conditions likely to affect safety of trimming and cutting activities.

2.2 Visually assess trees for defects, grades and recovery status.

2.3 Assess trees for extraction and suitable transport method.

2.4 Mark trees too dangerous to cut safely and refer to appropriate personnel.

3. Plan cutting.

3.1 Move or stabilise tree for safe cutting in line with site procedures.

3.2 Select cutting pattern to optimise time, volume recovery and quality.

3.3 Plan cutting sequence to maintain control of cut sections and minimise cutting problems.

3.4 Select, measure and mark cutting positions in line with work requirements and industry standard lengths.

3.5 Clear debris from work area to allow safe access and prevent saw damage and personal injury.

4. Use chainsaw to trim and cut trees

4.1 Monitor location and movement of other personnel and modify work to ensure safety.

4.2 Secure tree section on each side of planned cut; evaluate and control potential movement.

4.3 Operate saw to cut tree and adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of tree.

4.4 Complete cut once started and minimise capping and splitting.

4.5 Square cut butts, trim accessible branches and knots and remove head of tree.

4.6 Prepare logs for extraction in line with organisational requirements.

5. Complete operator maintenance

5.1 Inspect equipment on completion of trimming and cutting activities.

5.2 Follow organisational safety procedures to lock out equipment.

5.3 Check chain for bluntness or damage.

5.4 Remove, sharpen, adjust and replace chain and other components in line with manufacturer's recommendations.

5.5 Record and report production outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements to appropriate personnel.

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 site environmental protection measures and adhere to in line with relevant legislation and regulations 
Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel. 
Select appropriate personal protective and other equipment and check for operational effectiveness, including pre-start checks. 
Plan trimming and cutting activities in line with work order and environmental conditions. 
Assess tree location and stability for conditions likely to affect safety of trimming and cutting activities. 
Visually assess trees for defects, grades and recovery status. 
Assess trees for extraction and suitable transport method. 
Mark trees too dangerous to cut safely and refer to appropriate personnel. 
Move or stabilise tree for safe cutting in line with site procedures. 
Select cutting pattern to optimise time, volume recovery and quality. 
Plan cutting sequence to maintain control of cut sections and minimise cutting problems. 
Select, measure and mark cutting positions in line with work requirements and industry standard lengths. 
Clear debris from work area to allow safe access and prevent saw damage and personal injury. 
Monitor location and movement of other personnel and modify work to ensure safety. 
Secure tree section on each side of planned cut; evaluate and control potential movement. 
Operate saw to cut tree and adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of tree. 
Complete cut once started and minimise capping and splitting. 
Square cut butts, trim accessible branches and knots and remove head of tree. 
Prepare logs for extraction in line with organisational requirements. 
Inspect equipment on completion of trimming and cutting activities. 
Follow organisational safety procedures to lock out equipment. 
Check chain for bluntness or damage. 
Remove, sharpen, adjust and replace chain and other components in line with manufacturer's recommendations. 
Record and report production outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements to appropriate personnel. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FWPHAR2207 - Trim and cut harvested trees
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

FWPHAR2207 - Trim and cut harvested trees

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: