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

FWPHAR3220 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Harvest trees manually (intermediate)

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency FWPHAR3220 - Harvest trees manually (intermediate)
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to assess harvest sites and trees to be harvested and to 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 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-woodvarious dimensions relative to local forest size distributionlimited visible damage and/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 felling trees in a commercial harvesting operation within a forest environment, producing forest products. 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

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

coupe plans

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: Determine harvesting requirements
  • Identify and comply with applicable work health and safety (WHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to harvesting trees
  • Identify and adhere to site environmental protection measures according to harvesting plan and relevant legislation and regulations
  • Review job requirements and check 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 WHS 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
       
Element: Visually assess trees and plan felling
  • Assess factors affecting harvesting requirements and detect and control specific forest or site risks and hazards
  • Confirm tree is safe to fell
  • 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
  • Assess limitations of own skills in safely felling trees, identify trees considered outside own skill level and seek assistance from appropriate personnel where required
  • Select suitable escape route and clear of growth and other obstacles according to environmental care principles and statutory requirements
  • Note and monitor location and activity of other personnel in the work area and modify activity where required
       
Element: Prepare equipment
  • Select tools and equipment appropriate to work requirements and check for operational effectiveness according to manufacturer recommendations
  • Sharpen and adjust chainsaw or change components according to manufacturer recommendations
  • Fell individual trees using selected cutting techniques according to WHS and job requirements
  • 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
  • Fell trees to meet production levels, log extraction methods and site requirements
  • Dispose of waste materials in line with environmental and operational requirements
       
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 WHS 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.

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. Determine harvesting requirements

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

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

1.3 Review job requirements and check with appropriate personnel

1.4 Identify log extraction method and requirements

1.5 Identify requirements for product quality

1.6 Determine harvesting requirements, and plan tree felling sequence and general falling directions

1.7 Establish and maintain communication with others according to WHS requirements

2. Assess harvest site

2.1 Assess location and stability of harvest site for conditions likely to affect harvesting activities

2.2 Identify and assess environmental conditions according to harvest plan

2.3 Identify trees to be felled according to harvest plan

2.4 Assess factors affecting harvesting requirements and detect and control specific forest or site risks and hazards

3. Visually assess trees and plan felling

3.1 Assess factors affecting harvesting requirements and detect and control specific forest or site risks and hazards

3.2 Confirm tree is safe to fell

3.3 Check planned falling direction and propose deviation if required

3.4 Select cutting pattern to optimise time and manageable removal of sections

3.5 Plan sequence of cuts to fell tree according to standard felling procedures and log quality requirements

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

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

3.8 Note and monitor location and activity of other personnel in the work area and modify activity where required

4. Prepare equipment

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

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

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

5. Fell trees

5.1 Fell individual trees using selected cutting techniques according to WHS and job requirements

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

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

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

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

5.6 Fell trees to meet production levels, log extraction methods and site requirements

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

6. Maintain equipment

6.1 Inspect equipment on completion of harvesting activities

6.2 Identify damaged saws and cutting attachments for repair or replacement according to organisational requirements and manufacturer recommendations

6.3 Remove, clean, adjust or replace chain and other components according to manufacturer recommendations

6.4 Maintain tools and equipment according to WHS requirements and manufacturer recommendations

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 harvesting trees at an intermediate level

comply with licensing or certification requirements relevant to harvesting 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 harvesting 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 a 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 harvest trees at an intermediate level

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

apply appropriate extraction methods

apply specifications as outlined in harvesting plan

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

workplace health and safety (WHS) requirementsincluding:

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

cutting patterns used to optimise time to fell trees

environmental protection measures to follow when felling trees related to:

native vegetation

soil and water

heritage and archaeological 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 and harvesting 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 harvesting 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

components of a harvesting plan including an extraction plan, a traffic plan, environmental requirements, restricted areas, identified hazards and product volumes

log extraction methods including skidding, forwarding, using cable or shovel logging and following the harvest plan when felling trees

work order information regarding

tree felling requirements

requirements for product quality

harvesting plan

risk assessments for tree-felling including

ground and environmental conditions likely to affect harvesting activities:

ground stability

ground slope

forest lean

weather conditions

underground and overhead services

forest fire

position and movement of personnel working on the harvesting site

traffic management

safety signage warning of harvesting operations in the area.

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. Determine harvesting requirements

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

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

1.3 Review job requirements and check with appropriate personnel

1.4 Identify log extraction method and requirements

1.5 Identify requirements for product quality

1.6 Determine harvesting requirements, and plan tree felling sequence and general falling directions

1.7 Establish and maintain communication with others according to WHS requirements

2. Assess harvest site

2.1 Assess location and stability of harvest site for conditions likely to affect harvesting activities

2.2 Identify and assess environmental conditions according to harvest plan

2.3 Identify trees to be felled according to harvest plan

2.4 Assess factors affecting harvesting requirements and detect and control specific forest or site risks and hazards

3. Visually assess trees and plan felling

3.1 Assess factors affecting harvesting requirements and detect and control specific forest or site risks and hazards

3.2 Confirm tree is safe to fell

3.3 Check planned falling direction and propose deviation if required

3.4 Select cutting pattern to optimise time and manageable removal of sections

3.5 Plan sequence of cuts to fell tree according to standard felling procedures and log quality requirements

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

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

3.8 Note and monitor location and activity of other personnel in the work area and modify activity where required

4. Prepare equipment

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

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

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

5. Fell trees

5.1 Fell individual trees using selected cutting techniques according to WHS and job requirements

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

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

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

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

5.6 Fell trees to meet production levels, log extraction methods and site requirements

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

6. Maintain equipment

6.1 Inspect equipment on completion of harvesting activities

6.2 Identify damaged saws and cutting attachments for repair or replacement according to organisational requirements and manufacturer recommendations

6.3 Remove, clean, adjust or replace chain and other components according to manufacturer recommendations

6.4 Maintain tools and equipment according to WHS requirements and manufacturer recommendations

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 harvesting trees 
Identify and adhere to site environmental protection measures according to harvesting plan and relevant legislation and regulations 
Review job requirements and check 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 WHS 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 
Assess factors affecting harvesting requirements and detect and control specific forest or site risks and hazards 
Confirm tree is safe to fell 
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 
Assess limitations of own skills in safely felling trees, identify trees considered outside own skill level and seek assistance from appropriate personnel where required 
Select suitable escape route and clear of growth and other obstacles according to environmental care principles and statutory requirements 
Note and monitor location and activity of other personnel in the work area and modify activity where required 
Select tools and equipment appropriate to work requirements and check for operational effectiveness according to manufacturer recommendations 
Sharpen and adjust chainsaw or change components according to manufacturer recommendations 
Fell individual trees using selected cutting techniques according to WHS and job requirements 
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 
Fell trees to meet production levels, log extraction methods and site requirements 
Dispose of waste materials in line with environmental and operational requirements 
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 WHS requirements and manufacturer recommendations 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FWPHAR3220 - 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

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Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

FWPHAR3220 - 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:

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