Application
The unit involves operating a pole saw in a saw mill and timber/ply environment.
The skills and knowledge required for competent workplace performance are to be used within the scope of the person’s job and authority.
Prerequisites
Not applicable
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Prepare for cutting | 1.1.Identify as within safe working limits type and quantity of material to be cut 1.2.Select equipment appropriate to work requirements and check for operational effectiveness in line with manufacturer recommendations 1.3.Carry out pre start-up checks on equipment in line with site requirements 1.4.Assess pole saw set-up and adjust to suit cutting conditions 1.5.Establish and maintain communication with others in line with occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements |
2. Assess materials | 2.1.Assess type and quantity of material to be cut and environmental conditions to plan cutting activities consistent with site procedures and environmental requirements 2.2.Monitor movement and location of other personnel and modify work in line with OHS regulations, where required 2.3.Assess location and stability of materials for conditions likely to affect safety of cutting activities 2.4.Identify materials unable to be cut safely and refer them to appropriate personnel |
3. Use pole saw to cut and unblock materials | 3.1.Operate pole saw to cut materials and unblock machinery components in line with safety regulations, job specifications and workplace procedures, and adjust cutting technique in response to equipment requirements and allowances 3.2.Turn motor off before examining any blockages to the pole saw 3.3.Clear waste and debris from the site in line with standard operating procedures and environmental requirements 3.4.Record and report cutting processes and equipment faults to appropriate personnel |
4. Maintain equipment | 4.1.Follow equipment lock-out procedures in line with site procedures 4.2.Check chain for blunt or damaged condition 4.3.Remove, sharpen, maintain, adjust and replace chain and other components in line with manufacturer recommendations 4.4.Deal with chain and other components that need replacing in line with site procedures, manufacturer recommendations and environmental requirements 4.5.Keep pole saw clear of dust, shavings and debris and check it to make sure it meets relevant standards |
Required Skills
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit. |
Required skills |
Technical skills to: use and maintain relevant tools, machinery and equipment efficiently and safely cut materials Communication skills to use appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques with colleagues and others Literacy skills to: record and report workplace information maintain documentation Numeracy skills to measure, estimate and calculate time required to complete a task Problem-solving skills to: identify problems and equipment faults demonstrate appropriate response procedures |
Required knowledge |
Applicable federal, state or territory legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices relevant to the full range of processes for operating a pole saw Environmental protection requirements, including: safe disposal of waste material minimisation of carbon emissions cleaning of plant, tools and equipment Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for operating a pole saw, including safety procedures Workplace risks and hazards associated with cutting materials with a pole saw Procedures for using energy effectively and efficiently Cutting procedures for cutting at a distance Methods for assessing condition of pole saw chain Established communication channels and protocols Problem identification and resolution strategies, and common fault-finding techniques to unblock materials from machinery Types of tools and equipment, and procedures for their safe use and maintenance Procedures for recording and reporting workplace information |
Evidence Required
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package. | |
Overview of assessment | A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can safely and efficiently operate a pole saw in line with organisational requirements |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements of this unit and include demonstration of: following applicable federal, state or territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to operating a pole saw following organisational policies and procedures relevant to operating a pole saw identifying and correct use of personal protective equipment for the use of pole saw identifying workplace risks and hazards associated with cutting materials with a pole saw and take appropriate action identify limitations cutting a range of wood or wood-related products at a distance requiring the use of a pole saw in line with the work plan and within prescribed organisational tolerances procedures for pole saw lock-out maintaining a pole saw |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a realistically simulated workplace Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints Assessment of required knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context Assessment is to follow relevant regulatory requirements and Australian standards The following resources should be made available: workplace location or simulated workplace materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this unit specifications and work instructions |
Method of assessment | Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI11 Training Package Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of required knowledge Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access, interpret and apply the required knowledge Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role |
Range Statement
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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. | |
Material includes: | wood wood-related products |
Cutting must include: | cutting wood or wood-related products at a distance requiring the use of a pole saw |
Equipment must include: | procedures for pole saw lock-out, such as protecting operators and co-workers from accidental injury by isolating the machine pole saws specific safety attire maintenance tools and equipment |
Pre start-up checks are conducted to ensure: | equipment has been set up correctly equipment is operating to optimum performance systems are performing accurately |
Communication may include: | verbal and non-verbal language constructive feedback active listening and questioning to clarify and confirm understanding use of positive, confident and cooperative language use of language and concepts appropriate to individual social and cultural differences control of tone of voice |
OHS requirements: | are to be in line with applicable federal, state or territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include: personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing safety equipment first aid equipment firefighting equipment hazard and risk control fatigue management elimination of hazardous materials and substances techniques for manual handling, including shifting, lifting and carrying vibration and engine heat issues associated with prolonged use ergonomic requirements relating to issues, such as vibration and engine heat associated with prolonged use |
Environmental conditions may include: | work hazards obstacles location of blockage access to the required area of machinery |
Environmental requirements may include: | legislation organisational policies and procedures workplace practices |
Pole saw: | is to include: mechanised saw at the end of a long extension pole from the bottom of the pole may also include: manual saws non-mechanised saws |
Job specifications include: | OHS requirements environmental requirements legislative requirements organisational requirements |
Workplace procedures may include: | legal compliance documentation organisational and site guidelines policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility procedural manuals quality and continuous improvement processes and standards OHS, emergency and evacuation procedures ethical standards recording and reporting requirements equipment use, maintenance and storage requirements environmental management requirements, including waste minimisation and disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines |
Clearing may include: | redirecting materials for energy recovery recycling waste materials |
Records and reports: | may include: inspection information storage locations quality outcomes hazards incidents equipment malfunctions may be: manual computer-based system other appropriate organisational communication system |
Dealing with may include: | recycling chain and other components that need replacing re-using chain and other components that need replacing sending chain and other components that need replacing to landfill |
Components may include: | conveyors chains roller drums pulleys |
Sectors
Common Technical
Competency Field
Not applicable
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills
Licensing Information
General workplace legislative and regulatory requirements apply to this unit; however there are no specific licensing or certification requirements at the time of endorsement.