This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to perform ground based rigging. This unit does not cover crane operations.

The unit applies to ground based workers who undertake defined activities with specialised tools and methods, work in structured and changing contexts, apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy and limited judgement, and provide solutions to a limited range of predictable problems. Work is implemented with low risk work procedures and to comply with Safe Work Method Statement documentation.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit in some states and territories at the time of publication, and may differ according to jurisdiction. Specific determination should be sought through the relevant State or Territory. Works involving this unit of competency may be subject to local tree protection and preservation laws, and the relevant content of applicable Australian Standards.

The candidate must be observed using ground based rigging to raise, lower, control and redirect a load during tree pruning and tree removal. The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence for and demonstrate:

determining location of worksite

determining correct tree from scope of works

identifying site hazards, assess risks and report to supervisor

confirming work zone with work crew and monitoring site

confirming first aid and emergency personnel, equipment and procedures

recording and implementing work health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures

assisting with tree examination by observation of defects

discussing rigging method with work crew

confirming rigging method supports identified risk controls

selecting appropriate rigging equipment

examining, assembling, installing and checking rigging equipment for defects

selecting and using appropriate personal protective equipment

communicating with work team during operations using voice, hand and whistle signals

tying, dressing, setting and finishing arborist knots as required for rigging task

monitoring rigging system, work team movements and environmental conditions

maintaining effective communications specific to the rigging task

controlling load and raising, balancing, lowering or redirecting as communicated

adjusting rigging as required for mass or dimensions of load

disconnecting load from rigging system

checking rigging equipment components

returning appropriate components to aerial work team member

removing load from drop zone

confirming completed rigging operation

cleaning and checking tools, equipment and machinery, and storing

reporting and tagging faulty or worn tools and equipment

cleaning and storing personal protective equipment

use of industry-standard terminology to describe rigging processes and equipment

applying work health and safety requirements in the context of own work.

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

work zone

first aid, emergency personnel, equipment and procedures

work health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures

tree examination

observation of tree defects

rigging equipment

rigging methods

rigging system

examination of rigging equipment for defects

examination of rigging equipment

assembling rigging equipment

installing rigging equipment

checking rigging equipment

personal protective equipment

voice, hand and whistle signals

communications specific to the rigging task

environmental conditions

tying, dressing, setting and finishing arborist knots

controlled loads

load raising

lowering loads

redirecting loads

balancing load on centre of gravity

rigging adjustments

mass of load

dimensions of load

rigging equipment components

rigging operation

tagging faulty or worn tools and equipment.

Assessment must be demonstrated consistently over time in a suitable range of contexts and have a productivity-based outcome. No single assessment event or report is sufficient to achieve competency in this unit.

Assessment may be conducted in a simulated or real work environment, however determination of competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions.

The mandatory equipment and materials used to gather evidence for assessment include:

equipment:

rigging equipment

static and dynamic rope kit

harness

lowering and friction devices

high decibel whistle

personal protective equipment (PPE)

first aid and emergency kit

rescue kit

traffic management kit

signage – work zone

trees

materials:

rigging operations form - ground based

hazard identification and risk control form

equipment and PPE check form

emergency preparation form

site assessment form

tree recognition form

work communications form

work site operations form

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs in the assessment of arboriculture units of competency.

Assessment must be conducted only by persons who have:

arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed

current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed

Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Arboriculture (ARB)