Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to assess and manually fall small trees with a low level of complexity and to complete operator maintenance.
Basic trees typical to the scope of this unit may include the following characteristics:
lean and distribution of the crown weight does not create a complex situation to assess or fell
small dimensions relative to local forest size distribution
no excessive lean
no visible damage or defect
species that are not prone to free splitting and adverse reactions during felling
single stem or non-complex multi-stems
diameter of tree is less than chainsaw bar length
grown on terrain and slope that does not add significant complexity to the operation
The unit applies to those in a forest, agricultural, local council, emergencies services and other government agency environment. With the exception of minor forest produce, it is not relevant to commercial harvesting operations.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit in some states & territories at the time of publication, and may differ according to jurisdiction.
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 felling | 1.1 Identify and adhere to work specifications and site environmental protection measures relevant to felling basic trees in line with organisational requirements and relevant regulations 1.2 Review and check job requirements with appropriate personnel 1.3 Select tools and equipment appropriate to work requirements and check for operational effectiveness according to manufacturer recommendations 1.4 Identify trees to be retained and felled 1.5 Establish and maintain communication with others according to WHS requirements |
2. Prepare for felling | 2.1 Review location and stability for conditions likely to affect felling activities 2.2 Identify and report site environmental conditions to appropriate personnel 2.3 Identify and control potential and existing risks and hazards 2.4 Monitor and exclude location and activity of other personnel on the work site |
3. Assess tree and plan felling | 3.1 Assess limitations of own skills in safely felling trees, identify trees considered outside own skill level and seek assistance from appropriate personnel where required 3.2 Confirm that tree is safe to fell 3.3 Visually assess tree for felling characteristics, defects and stresses 3.4 Assess and check required falling direction and possible deviation 3.5 Plan sequence of cuts to fell tree according to standard felling procedures 3.6 Select suitable escape route and clear of growth and other obstacles according to environmental care principles and statutory requirements |
4. Apply tree felling techniques | 4.1 Fell individual trees using selected cutting techniques according to WHS and job requirements 4.2 Adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of tree 4.3 Use planned escape route when tree starts to fall and monitor the fall and movement of tree on ground until determined stable 4.4 Delay movement back into the felling area until all tree material, including from adjacent tree crowns, has fallen 4.5 Identify and implement procedures for removal of trees that are hung-up 4.6 Dispose of waste materials in line with environmental and operational requirements |
5. Maintain equipment | 5.1 Inspect equipment on completion of trimming and cutting activities 5.2 Identify damaged saws and cutting attachments for repair or replacement according to organisational requirements and manufacturer recommendations 5.3 Remove, clean, adjust or replace chain and other components according to manufacturer recommendations 5.4 Maintain tools and equipment according to WHS requirements and manufacturer recommendations |
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit.
comply with applicable federal, state or territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice including WHS, environmental and organisational policies and procedures relevant to felling trees at a basic level
comply with organisational policies and procedures relevant to felling trees manually at a basic level
comply with applicable licensing or certification requirements relevant to felling trees manually
effectively communicate and use safe working practices, including maintaining an awareness of activity by other personnel in the work area
assess site conditions, by applying environmental protection measures, detecting hazards and own skill level for felling trees at a basic level
conduct a tree assessment
identify structural defects and stresses in trees and the impact on felling, including exclusion of trees from hand felling due to hazardous and difficult situations for assessment, monitoring and safe falling including a crown that contains dead or broken material, entanglement or malformation
plan a felling sequence for individual trees and preparing surroundings including escape route
fell basic trees using a appropriate cuts safely without damage to personnel, equipment and surrounding environment
identify trees that are hung up
select, prepare and maintain chainsaw equipment including recognising faults, problems and malfunctions
assess, plan and safely operate chainsaw equipment to manually fell trees at a basic level in forest, rural and community environments
use tree felling techniques including scarf cutting , back cutting to provide hinge-wood and the use of wedges to assist in controlling falling direction.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
Workplace health and safety (WHS) requirements including:
PPE and clothing
safety equipment
first aid equipment
firefighting equipment
hazard and risk control procedures
fatigue management procedures
appropriate signage
elimination of hazardous materials and substances procedures
safe forest practices, including required actions relating to fire
techniques for manual handling, including shifting, lifting and carrying
types and purposes of cuts to fell trees, including scarf cutting and back cutting to provide hinge-wood and maintain control of tree
typical tree defects and how these affect tree felling activities:
shakes
insect defects
knots and resin pockets
pipe
drysides
identifying trees:
that contain hazards and are deemed unsafe to fell
considered outside own skill level
trees where cuts made may lead to loss of control of tree in felling
hazards and related risks and the impact on felling trees of:
uneven and unstable terrain
unsafe trees
fires
overhead and underground services
excavations
traffic
structures
hazardous materials
insects and animals
other personnel and machinery
methods used to remove trees that are hung up and procedures for removal
methods for assessing chain condition
environmental protection measures to follow when felling trees related to:
native vegetation
soil and water
heritage and archeological artefacts
flora and fauna
geomorphologic features
landscape
external site pollution
recreational opportunities
regeneration opportunities
cleaning plant, tools and equipment
disposing of, recycling and reusing timber and other waste
key features of these varying environmental conditions and their effects on basic tree felling activities:
general forest lean
ground growth
ground hazards and obstacles
ground slope
gullies
presence and density of seed and habitat trees
water courses
wet and adverse weather conditions
wind speed and direction
the use of types of tools and equipment for felling trees manually, and the procedures for their safe use, operation and maintenance including:
warning signs
chainsaw and components
PPE and clothing
first aid equipment
maintenance requirements
support tools.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
workplace location or simulated workplace of a forest environment that contains small trees with a low level of falling complexity
PPE and clothing including:
safety helmet
safety gloves
protective footwear
eye protection
hearing protection
high visibility clothing
leg protection (trousers or chaps)
materials and equipment including;
warning signs
chainsaw and components
first aid equipment
maintenance tools and equipment
support tools
manufacturers’ instructions for use and maintenance of equipment
radio or communication device
fire fighting equipment (if prescribed)
specifications and work instructions, including
information and instructions relevant to tree-felling operations, including processing location details and trees to be felled and retained
policy and procedures for work health and safety (WHS)
risk assessment plan
general and specific environmental requirements
relevant state or territory logging code of practice
emergency and evacuation procedures
fire protocols
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: | estimate tree dimensions, including height, length, diameter and volume complete routine calculations and report on size, length, diameter of felled trees. |
Oral communication skills to: | select and use appropriate spoken communication strategies with work colleagues and other personnel on site when felling trees interpret hand signals with other operators to ensure safe tree felling |
Reading skills to: | interpret: workplace health and safety and other organisational procedures work orders manufacturers’ maintenance recommendations. |
Writing skills to: | complete accurate basic records for tree felling process, equipment faults and maintenance requirements. |
Planning and organising skills to: | identify an unsafe tree efficiently and logically sequence the stages of preparation for and felling of trees using work order to guide activities. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Common Technical