Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to operate specialist equipment to produce chips or flake from wood in readiness for production, while monitoring and maintaining the flow of operation.
The unit applies to those who chip or flake wood in forest products factory setting and includes operator maintenance
No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions. |
1. Prepare for chip or flake production | 1.1 Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel. 1.2 Identify type and quantity of wood to be chipped or flaked, assess condition and select from stockpile. 1.3 Select appropriate equipment and check for operational effectiveness in line with manufacturer's recommendations. 1.4 Plan chipping or flaking process in line with work order. |
2. Produce chips and flakes | 2.1 Use equipment in line with organisational safety procedures, manufacturer’s instructions environmental protection practices. 2.2 Start machines and feed systems and adjust to produce chip or flake size in line with work order. 2.3 Check chip or flake production regularly to ensure wood chips or flakes meet quality specifications. 2.4 Monitor conveyor operations and clear jams to ensure free flow and minimisation of waste material. 2.5 Direct output of chips or flakes to storage bins in line with prescribed fill levels. 2.6 Identify routine processing and equipment faults and resolve or report to appropriate personnel. 2.7 Respond to critical situations requiring emergency shutdown to prevent personal injury or damage to machine or product. 2.8 Complete production and quality records and report in line with organisational procedures. |
3. Complete operator maintenance | 3.1 Follow organisational safety procedures to lock out equipment. 3.2 Check blades and knives for faults, bluntness and damage. 3.3 Remove and replace blades and knives in line with manufacturer’s recommendations. 3.4 Dispose of used blades and knives in line with organisational procedures and environmental protection practices. 3.5 Clear dust and debris from machine area. 3.6 Record and report equipment faults and maintenance requirements to appropriate personnel. |
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit.
produce chips and flakes of varying sizes and grades in line with individual work orders
complete assessments of the source wood for:
species
size
moisture content
contamination issues.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
environmental protection practices for forest products factory settings:
reducing water and energy use
cleaning plant, tools and equipment
disposing of, recycling and reusing timber
characteristics of wood for assessment and how these affect finished wood chips and flakes:
species
size
moisture content
typical contamination issues associated with wood, and how these affect ability to produce quality chips and flakes:
logs
billets
off-cuts
waste timber
down grade timber
residue
chips
reject boards
stages of the chip and flake production process
industry and organisational specific quality specifications for wood chips and flakes
types of tools and equipment used to chip and flake wood; their purpose, features, operation and basic non-specialist repair and maintenance:
chippers
hoggers
shredders and knife mills
mechanised feed systems
conveyors
chutes or track systems
methods for assessing blade and knife condition
organisational procedures specific to chipping and flaking wood:
workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on equipment lock out
use and maintenance of equipment
communication reporting lines
recording and reporting production outcomes and equipment faults.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
tools and equipment used to chip and flake wood:
chippers
hoggers
shredders and knife mills
mechanised feed systems
conveyors
chutes or track systems
maintenance tools and equipment for removing and replacing blades and knives
consumable components; blades and knives
personal protective equipment suitable for chipping and flaking wood
wood materials for processing
manufacturers’:
instructions for equipment use
recommendations for cleaning, repairing and maintaining
work order with specific instructions for assessing wood and chip and flake requirements
template documents for recording production outcomes and equipment faults
organisational procedures for chipping and flaking wood
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information.
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessor requirements
Assessors must:
hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and
be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and
be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those core and employment skills that are essential to performance and are not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Numeracy skills to: | identify quantities of required material within work orders and count raw materials read basic numerical machine settings and choose according to chip or flake size complete routine production records involving quantities tallied against orders. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask questions and actively listen to clarify contents of work orders make accurate verbal reports on processing and equipment faults. |
Reading skills to: | interpret: workplace health and safety and other organisational procedures work orders manufacturers’ instructions and maintenance recommendations. |
Writing skills to: | complete accurate basic records for production outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements. |
Planning and organising skills to: | sequence the stages of preparation and production using work order to guide activities. |
Problem-solving skills to: | identify situations requiring emergency shutdown and respond immediately recognise faulty equipment and resolve by reporting or rectifying. |
Technology skills to: | select, use and maintain appropriate machinery, tools and personal protective equipment used for chip and flake production. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Sawmilling and Processing
Timber Manufactured Products
Wood Panel Products