The unit involves conducting mechanical processor operations in a forest environment

The skills and knowledge required for competent workplace performance are to be used within the scope of the person's job and authority

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Plan and prepare for operations

Applicable Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to conducting mechanical processor operations are identified and followed

Site environmental protection measures are adhered to in line with relevant legislation and regulations

Work plan is reviewed and checked with appropriate personnel

Equipment is selected appropriate to work requirements and checked for operational effectiveness in line with manufacturer's recommendations

Tree or log load placement and access requirements are identified and assessed for safe working conditions

Mechanical processor operations are planned in line with site procedures and environmental and heritage concerns

Communication with others is established and maintained in line with OHS requirements

Operate equipment

All work is conducted in line with work plan, environmental and OHS requirements

Mechanical processor is operated within equipment capabilities and limitations, and manoeuvred to ensure safe and efficient operations

Pre-operational checks are carried out on equipment and attachments in line with manufacturer's recommendations and site procedures

Operating techniques are selected and adjusted as required to meet work requirements and site conditions

Mechanical processor performance is systematically monitored to ensure and maintain efficient operations

Site hazards associated with crawler operations are detected and safe operating techniques are used to minimise risk

Emergency plan procedures are followed in line with OHS, environmental, legal and site requirements

Process individual trees

Movement and whereabouts of other personnel is monitored and work modified to be in line with OHS requirements

Access and processing characteristics of fallen trees are assessed and processing is planned to ensure minimal tree damage and maximum recovery

Required length cutting patterns are programmed or modified on processing controller to meet work plan requirements

Equipment is positioned for stable and safe access to felled tree and loads are placed within rated load/reach capacity

Tree is processed to produce standard length and diameter of logs with optimal grade and length combination in line with work plan requirements

Equipment is safely and efficiently operated to stack pre-bunched logs/stems to facilitate subsequent recovery operations

Processing techniques are adjusted as required in response to unexpected characteristics, movement or condition of tree

Personnel safety and minimal damage to the timber and surrounding environment are ensured through method used to move timber/stems to pre-bunching site

Equipment is moved over pre-arranged routes with minimal damage to the environment

Segregate and stack logs

Planned landing layout and log handling procedures are identified from site and work plan instructions and checked with appropriate personnel as required

Stacks are located to provide appropriate space for access by site equipment and to allow for the conduct of other landing operations

Log stacks are positioned and maintained in line with planned layout and site requirements

Log stacks are constructed to provide stability and minimise problems from slippage and falling of logs

Delivered logs are visually assessed and directed/moved to appropriate location for further processing or stacking

Carry out machine operator maintenance

Equipment lock-out procedures are followed in line with OHS requirements and site procedures

Visual inspection and fault findingprocedures are conducted in line with manufacturer's recommendations and site procedures

Routine operational servicing is conducted to maintain optimum operational performance of equipment in line with manufacturer's recommendations

Equipment, attachments and other ancillary equipment is cleaned and stored in line with manufacturer's recommendations and site procedures

Faults, malfunctions or problems with equipment are diagnosed and reported in line with site procedures

Mechanical processor operation results are recorded and reported in line with site procedures

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

Required skills

Technical skills sufficient to use and maintain relevant tools, machinery and equipment; efficiently and safely process trees, segregate and stack logs

Communication skills and interpersonal techniques sufficient to interact appropriately with colleagues and others in the workplace; interpret, apply and convey information in written, diagrammatic and/or verbal form

Literacy skills sufficient to accurately record and report workplace information, and maintain documentation

Numeracy skills sufficient to estimate, measure and calculate time required to complete a task

Problem solving skills sufficient to identify problems and equipment faults and demonstrate appropriate response procedures

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 mechanical processor operations

Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material and the cleaning of plant, tools and equipment

Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for mechanical processor operations

Detailed range of products

Operational procedures and checks including start-up and shut-down procedures

Established communication channels and protocols

Problem identification and resolution strategies and common fault finding techniques

Types of tools and equipment and procedures for their safe use and maintenance including equipment safety requirements

Appropriate mathematical procedures for estimating and measuring, including calculating time to complete tasks

Procedures for recording and reporting workplace information

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 conduct mechanical processor operations 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 Commonwealth, State or Territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to mechanical processor operations

following organisational policies and procedures relevant to mechanical processor operations

communicating effectively and working safely with others in the work area

planning, preparing and carrying out mechanical processor operations to safely and efficiently process trees mechanically and segregate and stack logs

conducting pre-operational checks and routine operational servicing of equipment

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

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

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 and maintenance and storage requirements

environmental management requirements (waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)

Mechanical processor

may be wheeled or tracked

Environmental protection measures

may include action to limit the impact to:

ground growth and canopy

may include action to limit the impact of:

soil and water

general forest lean

wind speed and direction

fallen trees

density of trees

ground slope

ground hazards

obstacles

Work plan is to include:

instructions for mechanical processor operations including trees to be processed and cutting length requirements

and may include information about:

landing layouts

site plans

forest operational plans

emergency procedures in case of fire and/or accident

instructions for the environmental monitoring of work and procedures

environmental care requirements relevant to the work

Appropriate personnel may include:

supervisors

clients

colleagues

managers

Logs may include:

full range of species

size

conditions encountered in local harvesting operations

softwood or hardwood

Safe working conditions may include:

identification of risks and hazards

unsafe ground

fences

holes, pot holes

materials

vehicles

abandoned equipment

personnel

adverse weather conditions (electrical storms, floods)

fires

Mechanical processor operations must include:

the mechanical processing of trees and segregating and stacking of logs

and may include:

the mechanical falling of trees

the de-barking, pre-bunching and loading of logs

Planning

requires ensuring minimal equipment and product movement during operations including determining level and stable surfaces for safely relocating logs

Environmental and heritage concerns may include:

dust

noise

water

flora and fauna

heritage legislation

culturally sensitive sites and artefacts

plantations

native forest

Communication may include:

verbal and non-verbal language

hand or other agreed signals

eye contact with other operators or personnel

active listening

questioning to clarify and confirm understanding

use of electronic communication devices

Capabilities

of equipment and/or attachments may include:

efficient and safe operating speed

duration of operation

type of activities performed

weight and/or load limitations

operating limitations

Pre-operational checks

are conducted to ensure equipment and attachments have been set-up correctly, the systems are performing accurately and operating to optimum performance

and may be to:

visual and audio warning devices and lights

engine and stop engine lights

fluid levels

cab display instrumentation and gauges

on-board computer systems, if relevant

and may also involve:

start-up, park and shut-down procedures including safety mechanisms operation (horn, operating lights), correct location of equipment, vehicle security

Site conditions may include:

wet, dry

day, night

stability of ground

broken ground

slope of working surface

location of water table

Hazards may include:

uneven/unstable terrain

trees

fires

overhead and underground services

bridges

buildings

excavations

traffic

embankment

cuttings

structures and hazardous materials

Emergency plan may include:

notification of authorities

evacuation procedures

isolation procedures

equipment shut-down procedures

clean up

first aid

use of personal protective equipment and guarding

access and exit

Positioning

of equipment is to ensure:

machine stability to minimise movement during and between processing operations

safe access to felled tree

safe processing and placement clearance for the efficient extraction of processed logs

Maintenance

of log stacks includes:

providing for anticipated stock levels

stock rotation requirements

size

segregation of lengths

species

grades

Visual assessment

of logs includes:

identifying and determining species

diameter, length, grade

landing layout

stock rotation requirements

Visual inspection and fault finding procedures may include:

vehicle number

danger tag

personnel proximity

tyres and rim condition

wheel nuts and studs

light positioning and cleanliness

radiator top up tank

oil leaks, fuel leaks, water leaks

no combustible material around exhaust

damage to equipment

portable fire extinguisher

fire suppression system

cab mounts

windows

engine oil to be checked before starting engine

grease lines

cab conditions

Routine operational servicing may include:

checking fluid levels

greasing

tightening loose fittings

filter changing

Cleaning methods may include:

water

steam

degreasing

vacuum

forced air

Records and reports may include:

end of shift documentation

work log

supplies log

computer readings

and may be:

manual

using a computer-based system or another appropriate organisational communication system

Harvesting and Haulage

This unit contains employability skills