FPICOT5209A
Manage tree harvesting to minimise environmental impact

This unit specifies the outcomes required to plan and manage tree harvesting to minimise environmental impact and by-product while maximising yields using harvest planning systemsGeneral workplace legislative and regulatory requirements apply to this unit. Subject to enterprise requirements specific licences/certification may be required in the following areas: Forest Sustainability CertificationChain of Custody Certification

Application

The unit involves managing tree harvesting to minimise environmental impact in a variety of settings including:

native forests

plantations

agroforestry

farm forestry

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. Develop tree harvesting plan

1.1. Applicable Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), environmental, legislative and organisationalrequirements relevant to managing tree harvesting while minimising environmental impact are identified and followed

1.2. Tree harvesting requirements are researched and analysed

1.3. Consultation processes are undertaken as an integral part of the planning process

1.4. Available timber is identified and calculated

1.5. Tree harvesting plan is developed to ensure maximum yields while minimising environmental impact and by-product

1.6. Approval for plan is gained and work teams are informed

2. Initiate pre-harvesting activities

2.1. Equipment is selected appropriate to work requirements and checked for operational effectiveness in line with the manufacturer's specifications and OHS requirements

2.2. Buffer zones, protected areas and erosion control measures are installed or identified

2.3. Resources are acquired in line with plan requirements, and equipment and resource requirements estimated

2.4. Planning permits and access permission are applied for and gained

2.5. Communication with stakeholders is established and maintained in line with OHS, environmental and organisational requirements

3. Manage tree harvesting operations

3.1. Harvesting operational activities are managed for compliance with environmental and organisational requirements

3.2. Sustainability indicators are monitored for compliance with sustainability plan

3.3. Reported exceptions to work order and tree harvesting plan are rectified within legislative and planned timeframes

4. Review tree harvesting operations

4.1. Sustainability indicators are reported for all harvesting stages, including pre- and post-harvesting, in line with organisational and contractual requirements

4.2. Performance indicators are reported to appropriate stakeholders in line with legislative and contractual requirements

4.3. Sufficient feedback is reported to provide data for assistance with planning of future harvesting

5. Review tree harvesting plan

5.1. Data from tree harvesting operations is analysed to assist with planning future harvesting operations

5.2. Techniques to review effectiveness of harvesting operations in maximising yields and minimising environmental impact and by-product are implemented

5.3. Information is used to change harvesting plan as required

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Required skills

Technical skills sufficient to manage tree harvesting while minimising environmental impact

Communication skills sufficient to use appropriate consultative, communication and interpersonal techniques with colleagues and others

Literacy skills sufficient to record and report workplace information; maintain documentation; read and interpret maps; follow legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and safe working procedures involved in harvesting operations

Numeracy skills sufficient to estimate and calculate volume, gross and net areas; calculate available timber

Problem solving skills sufficient to identify problems; demonstrate appropriate response procedures

Planning and organisational skills sufficient to organise and obtain required permits and to manage harvesting operation while minimising environmental impact; prepare and review a tree harvesting plan; implement a tree harvesting plan

Managerial skills sufficient to manage harvesting operations

Research skills sufficient to obtain information on tree harvesting requirements to maximise yields and minimise environmental impact and by-product

Required knowledge

Applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices relevant to the full range of processes for managing tree harvesting to minimise environmental impact

Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material

Organisational, site and management standards, requirements, policies and processes for implementing harvesting plans

Environmental risks and hazards

OHS in relation to harvesting operations

OHS monitoring systems

Applicable certification schemes such as Forest Stewardship Council, Australian Forestry Standard, ISO standards for environmental and other management systems, other identified industry standards

Chain of custody principles and applicable systems

Database management and document control systems

Mathematic theory and application for calculating volume and scheduling flow

Tree harvesting plans

Sustainability indicators

Coupe size (gross area estimate, net area estimate and volume estimate)

Buffer zones, protected areas and erosion control

Planning permits and access permission

Performance indicators

Established communication channels and protocols

Problem identification and resolution

Types of tools and equipment, and procedures for their safe use and maintenance

Procedures for the recording, reporting and maintenance of 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 manage tree harvesting in line with organisational requirements while minimising environmental impact

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 Commonwealth, State or Territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice, including, environmental, OHS and organisational policies and procedures relevant to managing tree harvesting

following organisational policies and procedures relevant to managing tree harvesting to minimise environmental impact

using harvest planning systems to develop and review a tree harvesting plan

managing harvesting operations in line with the tree harvesting plan

rectifying exceptions to work order and environmental plans

using data and performance indicators to review harvesting operations

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or 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 or Australian Standards requirements

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 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 and correctly 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.

OHS requirements:

are to be in line with applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:

personal protective equipment and clothing

safety equipment

first aid equipment

fire fighting equipment

hazard and risk control

fatigue management

elimination of hazardous materials and substances

safe forest practices including required actions relating to forest fire

manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying

Environmental requirements may include:

legislation

organisational policies and procedures

workplace practices

Legislative requirements:

are to be in line with applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice and may include:

award and enterprise agreements

industrial relations

Australian Standards

confidentiality and privacy

OHS

the environment

equal opportunity

anti-discrimination

relevant industry codes of practice

duty of care

heritage and traditional land owner issues

Organisational requirements may include:

legal

organisational and site guidelines

fire management principles

waste management principles

wet weather controls

soil erosion control

policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility

quality assurance

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 (waste minimisation and disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)

Tree harvesting plan may include:

sustainability indicators

sustainability plan

OHS monitoring systems

applicable certification schemes

coupe size

calculation of available timber

key performance indicators

human resource requirements, equipment and resource requirement estimates

planning permits and access permission requirements

staff and contract work orders

Planning permits and access permission may include:

permits granted by:

government

local authority

other entitled entities for access and harvesting operations to take place

Communication may include:

verbal and non-verbal language

constructive feedback

active listening

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 and body language

Stakeholders may include:

management

staff

contractors

environmental authorities

public

Commonwealth, State/Territory and local government

product processors

customers

destination markets

Harvesting operational activities may include:

surveying and mapping site details

marking stream buffers, filter strips, contours, gullies, roads, bridges and other watercourse crossings

other site preparation

habitat protection

landscape protection

buffer establishment

related construction

fire management

harvesting

regeneration

machinery operations

site preparation silvicultural exercises associated with harvesting

road work, including the construction of roads, tracks, watercourse crossings and bridges, building drains and silt traps

waste removal

chipping

transportation

wet weather activities and operation adjustments

pest management prescriptions

Sustainability indicators should include:

water quality

soil condition

appropriate native flora and fauna protection

maintenance of any culturally significant landscapes, natural or anthropogenic formations and constructions


Sectors

Not Applicable


Competency Field

Common Technical


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills


Licensing Information

Not Applicable