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

PUAFIR322 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Push trees with machines in forest fire control operations

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency PUAFIR322 - Push trees with machines in forest fire control operations
Description This unit covers the competency required to apply machine operation skills to the specific circumstances of fire operations, including fire control line construction; pushing trees; clearing vehicle turnarounds and passing bays; and constructing helipads at a wildfire in forested land. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to personnel who operate a bulldozer or front end loader and will be directed to push trees to support fire operations.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
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: Use and service machine
  • Machine is set up, maintained and serviced to ensure safe operation in forest environments and that it is free of soil and water borne disease and weeds, prior to and after use.
  • Effective communication is established with supervisor, team members and support vehicle/s.
  • Safe procedures are employed when using the machine to push trees.
  • Machine is parked safely and securely when not in operation.
  • Personal protective clothing and equipment are worn and used in accordance with agency requirements.
       
Element: Plan to push tree
  • Tree is assessed for suitability for pushing.
  • Topographical and vegetation factors are considered.
  • Environmental, cultural and heritage factors are considered in relation to the area where tree/s may be pushed or fall.
  • Approval is sought and gained for tree/s to be pushed.
  • Hazards and safe clearances are established around the tree selected for pushing.
  • Escape routes are identified.
  • Support personnel are warned of tree to be pushed.
       
Element: Push tree
  • Communication is maintained with ground crews during tree pushing operations
  • Ground is prepared for tree pushing.
  • Direction of fall is determined.
  • Tree is pushed applying safe tree pushing practices.
       
Element: Undertake mop-up and rehabilitation activities
  • Tree and debris are cleared for access and mop-up work as required.
  • Area is made safe for personnel to enter.
  • Rehabilitation works are conducted to specified standards as required.
       


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.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

maintain effective cooperation with support personnel and vehicles

push trees in support of fire operations

communicate effectively with supervisor and other members of the team

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time; some performance criteria may be performed in a simulated wildfire environment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in an operational environment or in a field-based simulated environment; Element 3 should be assessed in a forest environment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

trees requiring pushing

machinery

communications equipment

support personnel

Method of assessment

Assessment should be conducted by direct observation in either the workplace (through recorded subject matter supervision and/or mentoring) or the training environment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:

direct observation

interviewing the candidate

journals and workplace documentation

third party reports from supervisors

written or oral questions

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

communicate effectively orally

maintain and service machine in non-fire environments

operate machines in a non-fire environment

Required Knowledge

burn-over survival techniques

capabilities of support vehicles

environmental factors

machine capabilities and limitations

machine design and safety features

machine maintenance requirements in a fireground environment

organisational operating procedures (relevant to machine operations)

wildfire control tactics and techniques

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.

Machine may include:

bulldozer

excavator

front end loader

and must be fitted with

falling object protection systems (FOPS)

roll over protection systems (ROPS)

Safe procedures may include:

ensuring FOPS and ROPS are correctly fitted and used

applying safe work practices

assistance to vehicles and personnel working with machines

communication with fire control line supervisors and support vehicles

maintenance of contact and cooperation with support vehicles

position in relation to live fire edge and fire intensity

survival techniques in burn over situations

wearing appropriate personal protective equipment

wearing seatbelts in the cabin

working within the limits of machine capability

Assessment of trees must include:

entangled crowns

fire burning in the tree

faults

growth characteristics and stresses

hanging and insecure limbs

hollows

lean of tree

multi leaders

potential for ‘domino’ effect

size of tree

slope of land

soundness of timber

species

weight distribution

Topographical and vegetation factors may include:

density and condition of vegetation

proximity to and crossing of, drainage lines and creeks

rockiness of terrain

size, condition and proximity of hazardous trees

soil type

steepness of terrain

Environmental factors may include:

presence of or sensitivity to, environmental diseases or weeds that may be spread by machines

presence of species sensitive to disturbance

protection of flora and fauna habitat

reference/research areas

rock outcrops and caves

soil disturbance and erosion

water quality

Cultural and heritage factors may include:

aboriginal sites

historic sites

structures and earthworks

Sought and gained may include:

notifying supervisor of selected tree/s

confirming permission to push tree/s

confirming tasks are approved in incident action plan

Hazards may include:

buildings and other structures

falling trees and branches

heat, dust, smoke

hot ash

power lines

roads

rock outcrops and caves

Ground preparation may include:

clearing escape route

clearing vegetation and obstacles (such as logs, rocks) around tree

creating ramp for pushing

ripping or severing roots of tree to be pushed

Safe tree pushing practices must include:

avoiding obstacles such as tree roots and rocks rising as a result of the tree falling

direction of approach relative to proposed direction of fall

minimum and gradual power application to effect tree fall

not rocking tree

awareness of point of contact with machine

use of blade and/or tree arm for optimal leverage

Rehabilitation works may include:

breaking up heaps and levelling mounds

removing material from creek and drainage lines

filling in stump holes

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
Machine is set up, maintained and serviced to ensure safe operation in forest environments and that it is free of soil and water borne disease and weeds, prior to and after use. 
Effective communication is established with supervisor, team members and support vehicle/s. 
Safe procedures are employed when using the machine to push trees. 
Machine is parked safely and securely when not in operation. 
Personal protective clothing and equipment are worn and used in accordance with agency requirements. 
Tree is assessed for suitability for pushing. 
Topographical and vegetation factors are considered. 
Environmental, cultural and heritage factors are considered in relation to the area where tree/s may be pushed or fall. 
Approval is sought and gained for tree/s to be pushed. 
Hazards and safe clearances are established around the tree selected for pushing. 
Escape routes are identified. 
Support personnel are warned of tree to be pushed. 
Communication is maintained with ground crews during tree pushing operations 
Ground is prepared for tree pushing. 
Direction of fall is determined. 
Tree is pushed applying safe tree pushing practices. 
Tree and debris are cleared for access and mop-up work as required. 
Area is made safe for personnel to enter. 
Rehabilitation works are conducted to specified standards as required. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PUAFIR322 - Push trees with machines in forest fire control 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

PUAFIR322 - Push trees with machines in forest fire control 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: