This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to work effectively in the arboriculture industry.

This unit applies to individuals who undertake defined activities, work in a structured context, 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 working in the arboriculture industry, following instructions from supervisor and meeting industry standards. 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:

identifying key industry sectors and occupations in arboriculture industry

recognising and using tools and equipment common in arboriculture industry

recognising and using common names for trees common in the area and their physiology and growth habits

recognising and locating trees on streets using maps

describing arboriculture-specific risks

describing plant attributes, specific handling and growth requirements of trees

recognising the benefits of trees and values of those benefits

recognising risk of harm to self and others from dust, toxic plant parts, fungi, insects, animals and other substances

interpreting written or verbal work instructions and clarifying inconsistencies with supervisor

identifying deadlines and planning priorities with supervisor

reporting variations and difficulties to supervisor

undertaking own work, responsibilities and duties

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

working within team and work environment in accordance with low risk work practices

following organisation’s workplace procedures, site standards and requirements

demonstrating a positive attitude to cooperation within workplace

identifying workplace hazards and report to supervisor

selecting, wearing and maintaining personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for work locations and conditions

selecting PPE appropriate to noise levels

preparing tools and equipment prior to use and check for faults

using low risk operating procedures for a variety of equipment and tools in arboriculture

implementing requirements and issues with working in various weather conditions

tagging defective equipment and report faults to supervisor

checking tools and equipment for bluntness and sharpen if required

checking guards are fitted, securely attached and functioning where applicable

moving equipment and materials safely using appropriate manual handling methods

carrying out basic mechanical fault finding and basic tests on machinery and equipment

testing safety and emergency shutoff devices

working safely around power sources, services and assets

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

tying, dressing, setting and finishing arborist knots

assisting with traffic management around worksite

assisting in emergency and rescue situations

confirming first aid and emergency personnel, equipment and procedures

managing ropes and other objects in the work zone

monitoring the movement and whereabouts of other workers

maintaining and monitoring safety and security of equipment while onsite

recycling or disposing of waste materials

cleaning and storing tools and equipment and carry out basic servicing where required

clean vehicles where required

maintaining workplace records.

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

key industry sectors and occupations in arboriculture industry

tools and equipment common in arboriculture industry

common names for trees common in the area and their physiology and growth habits

tree recognition

methods of locating trees on streets using maps

arboriculture-specific risks

plant attributes, specific handling and growth requirements of trees

benefits of trees and values of those benefits

risk of harm to self and others from dust, toxic plant parts, fungi, insects, animals and other substances

interpretation written or verbal work instructions

clarification of inconsistencies

deadlines and planning priorities

variations and difficulties

work responsibilities and duties

work health and safety in the context of own work

teamwork and work environment in accordance with low risk work practices

organisation’s workplace procedures, site standards and requirements

importance of drug and alcohol free worksites

sustainability practices

hygiene and biosecurity practices

identification of workplace hazards

methods of reporting to supervisors

selection, wearing and maintenance of PPE suitable for work locations and conditions

selecting PPE appropriate to noise levels

preparation and fault-checking of tools and equipment prior to use

low risk operating procedures for a variety of equipment and tools in arboriculture

requirements and issues of working in various weather conditions

tagging defective equipment

checking tools and equipment for bluntness

sharpen tools and equipment

checking guards to ensure they are fitted, securely attached and functioning

appropriate manual handling methods for moving equipment and materials safely

basic mechanical fault finding and basic tests on machinery and equipment

safety and emergency shutoff device testing

safety around power sources, services and assets

work team communications during operations

voice, hand and whistle signals

tying, dressing, setting and finishing arborist knots

traffic management around worksite

emergency and rescue situations

first aid and emergency personnel, equipment and procedures

rope management and management of other objects in the work zone

methods of monitoring the movement and whereabouts of other workers

safety and security of equipment while onsite

recycling or disposing of waste materials

cleaning and storing tools and equipment

basic servicing of tools and equipment

vehicle cleaning

maintenance of workplace records.

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:

sharpening equipment

static and dynamic rope kit

personal protective equipment (PPE)

first aid and emergency kit

rescue kit

traffic management kit

signage - work zone

tree and tree samples

materials:

work effectiveness form

tree recognition form

tree maintenance form

hazard identification and risk control form

equipment and PPE check form

knot identification form

emergency preparation form

work communications form

work site operations form

work records 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)