This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to install cable and bracing hardware into the structure of a tree.

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

Some discretion and judgement may be required to the extent of pruning and cable and bracing required for a particular tree. 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 installing cable and bracing according to a pruning program.

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 above-and-below-ground services

undertaking a site-specific risk assessment

determining cable and bracing requirements from client brief

confirming first aid and rescue procedures applicable to tree work

examining structural tree components

examining vitality and structural integrity of branch attachments

identifying work health and safety hazards and assessing risk

recording and implementing site and traffic control measures

use of tree climbing techniques or ability to work from an elevated work platform

installing cable and bracing

determining requirement for additional pruning

checking and recording completed program for quality of work

use of industry standard terminology to describe arboriculture and work environment.

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

the effect of pruning on tree growth, habit and form

tree anatomy and tree physiology

tree pruning techniques appropriate to requirements of species

visual tree assessment

selection of appropriate cable and bracing tools and equipment

selection of suitable personal protective equipment

the principles and methods of pruning (tree anatomy and physiology)

identification of work health and safety hazards, risk assessment and risk control application

quality of pruning work

cable and bracing techniques appropriate to tree species

cable and bracing theory

Compartmentalisation of Decay in Trees (CODIT) principles

implications of pruning cuts and the way trees respond

sustainable growth requirements of trees

natural habit and form of trees

first aid and rescue personnel, equipment and procedures applicable to tree work

local government tree protection and preservation regulations

Australian Standard 4373–2007 relating to tree pruning.

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:

dynamic and static cable and bracing tools and products

high decibel whistle

personal protective equipment (PPE)

first aid and emergency kit

traffic management kit

signage – work zone

trees

materials:

cable and bracing operations form

hazard identification and risk control form

equipment and PPE check form

emergency preparation 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)