AHCARB302
Inspect trees for access and work


Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to inspect a tree from the ground for the selection of access and tree work methods.

This unit applies to individuals who have a range of skills to select and apply a specialised range of methods, tools, materials and information to complete routine activities and provide and transmit solutions to predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems. Discretion and judgement is required. The work requires the application of extensive arboricultural knowledge. 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 & 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.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare tree inspection requirements

1.1 Prepare forms for recording inspection

1.2 Determine the scope of tree works required in consultation with client and in accordance with stakeholder needs and local regulations

1.3 Determine location of above-and-below-ground services

1.4 Undertake a site-specific risk assessment by identifying work health and safety hazards and assessing risk

1.5 Confirm first aid and emergency personnel, equipment and procedures

1.6 Select, prepare, and carry out pre-operational and safety checks, on tools, equipment and machinery

1.7 Select and use personal protective equipment

1.8 Record and implement work health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures

2. Inspect tree

2.1 Record tree type, location and dimensions

2.2 Inspect tree for tree access and tree work methods

2.3 Inspect branches for health, vitality and integrity of attachment

2.4 Inspect tree structure for defects, signs and symptoms of disease, insects and other fauna

3. Determine method of access and work method

3.1 Record findings on hazard identification form

3.2 Undertake load testing, probe cavities and test hollows by sounding if required

3.3 Record result when tree condition requires modified tree access or work method

3.4 Select appropriate method of access and tree work method

3.5 Assess risk of selected method of access and tree work method

3.6 Conduct meeting to communicate and confirm selected method of access and tree work method

3.7 Record work site confirmation of method of access, work method and appropriate risk controls

4. Record result and advise client

4.1 Record result when tree access or tree work method is inappropriate

4.2 Advise client and stakeholders of requirements for further advice or testing

4.3 Seek further advice from consulting arborist or access specialist

4.4 Complete inspection form and submit to client and stakeholders

Evidence of Performance

The candidate must be observed inspecting a range of trees, compiling a complete record of work site and tree risk assessment data to determine the appropriate access method and work method. 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:

preparing forms for recording inspection

determining the scope of works

determining stakeholder needs and local regulations

determining location of above-and-below-ground services

undertaking a site-specific risk assessment by identifying work health and safety hazards and assessing risk

selecting, preparing, and carrying out pre-operational and safety checks, on tools, equipment and machinery

selecting and using personal protective equipment

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

recording tree type, location and dimensions

inspecting for tree access and tree work methods

inspecting branches for health, vitality and integrity of attachment

inspecting tree for defects, signs and symptoms of disease, insects and other fauna

tree structure and structural defects

recording findings on hazard identification form

undertaking load testing

probing cavities and testing hollows by sounding

recording result when tree condition requires modified work methods

selecting appropriate method of access and tree work method

assessing risk of selected method of access and tree work method

conducting a meeting and confirming selected method of access and tree work method

recording work site confirmation of method of access, work method and appropriate risk controls

recording result when tree access or work is inappropriate

advising client and stakeholders of requirements for further advice or testing

seeking further advice from consulting arborist or access specialist

completing inspection forms and submitting to client and stakeholders.


Evidence of Knowledge

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

tree inspection method/s and principles

preparation of forms for inspection, hazard identification, environmental conditions and risk control

determination of location of above-and-below-ground services

site-specific risk assessments

pre-operational and safety checks, on tools, equipment and machinery

personal protective equipment

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

methods of determining tree types, location and dimensions

tree access and tree work methods

branch health, vitality and integrity of attachment

defects, signs and symptoms of disease, insects and other fauna of trees

methods of load testing, cavity probing and hollows testing

methods of tree access and tree work

modified tree access or work methods

inappropriate methods of tree access and tree work

requirements for further advice or testing

methods of seeking further advice from consulting arborists or access specialists

completion and submission of forms.


Assessment Conditions

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:

personal protective equipment (PPE)

first aid and emergency kit

traffic management kit

signage - work zone

trees

materials:

tree inspection form

hazard identification and risk control form

equipment and PPE check form

emergency preparation 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

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


Range Statement


Sectors

Arboriculture (ARB)