Application
This unit describes the outcomes required to trim and cut felled trees with a chainsaw and to complete operator maintenance. It applies to situations where the production of timber is not the primary focus of the activity.
The unit applies to forestry worker, chainsaw operator, forest harvester, harvesting technician, aboriculture worker.
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 trimming and cutting | 1.1 Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel. 1.2 Select appropriate personal protective and other equipment and check for operational effectiveness. 1.3 Plan trimming and cutting activities in line with work order and environmental conditions. |
2. Visually assess felled trees | 2.1 Assess tree location and stability for conditions likely to affect safety of trimming and cutting activities 2.2 Visually assess tree for defects and identify stresses within tree. 2.3 Mark trees too dangerous to cut safely and refer to appropriate personnel. |
3. Plan cutting | 3.1 Move or stabilise tree for safe cutting in line with site procedures. 3.2 Select cutting pattern to optimise time and manageable removal of sections. 3.3 Identify options for utilisation of product. 3.4 Plan cutting sequence to maintain control of cut sections and minimise cutting problems 3.5 Select cutting positions considering tree stresses. 3.6 Clear debris from work area to allow safe access and prevent saw damage and personal injury. |
4. Use chainsaw to trim and cut trees | 4.1 Monitor location and movement of other personnel and modify work to ensure safety 4.2 Establish and maintain communication to ensure safety 4.3 Secure tree section on each side of planned cut; evaluate and control potential movement. 4.4 Operate chainsaw to cut tree and limbs and adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of tree and limbs 4.5 Prepare cut sections for removal from the site. |
5. Complete equipment maintenance | 5.1 Follow organisational safety procedures to lock out equipment. 5.2 Check chain for bluntness or damage. 5.3 Remove, sharpen, adjust and replace chain and other components in line with manufacturer's recommendations. 5.4 Record and report trimming and cutting records, 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.
safely and efficiently use a chainsaw to complete these activities:
trim and cut hardwood or softwood trees
delimb trees
trim branches
trim burls and other small growths
use these cutting techniques:
bridging cuts
swinging cuts
side bind cuts
boring
wedge cut
ripping cuts
trim and cut trees in these environmental conditions:
dry weather condition
wet weather condition
low and moderate wind speeds
complete the following maintenance on a chainsaw:
sharpening
refuelling
inspection, identification and replacement of bar, chain, drive sprockets
bar oil checks and top up
air filter, check, clean and replacement
cleaning of saw body, air intake vents and cooling fans
fitting spare chain and tension chain.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
environmental protection measures including:
action to limit the impact of noise, wind speed and direction, fallen trees, ground slope, ground hazards and obstacles, general forest lean
action to limit the impact to ground growth, canopy, density of trees
action to limit the impact on flora, fauna and habitat
soil and water protection
cleaning plant, tools and equipment
disposing of, recycling and reusing timber and other waste
key features of these varying environmental conditions and effects on tree cutting and trimming activities:
ground growth
ground hazards and obstacles
ground slope
wet and adverse weather conditions
wind speed and direction
typical tree defects and how they affect tree cutting activities:
splits
falling damage
fire damage
insect infestation
pipe
shake
twist
knots and resin pockets
typical tree stresses and how they affect tree cutting activities
tension (fibres being stretched)
compression (fibres being squashed)
neutral fibres
range of chainsaw cutting techniques:
bridging cuts
swinging cuts
side bind cuts
delimbing
boring
wedge cut
ripping cuts
cutting patterns used to optimise time and recovery of product from trees
cutting sequences used to maintain control of cut sections and minimise cutting problems
purpose, features, operation and basic non-specialist repair and maintenance: of chainsaws
methods for assessing chain condition
organisational procedures specific to tree trimming and cutting activities:
workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on equipment lock out and use of personal protective equipment
communication reporting lines
recording and reporting tree cutting outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
chainsaws
chainsaw fuel and oil containers
support tools (hammer, wedges, logging tape, cant hook or breaking bar)
maintenance tools and equipment for chainsaws
personal protective equipment suitable for cutting trees and maintaining chainsaws
manufacturers’ instructions for use and maintenance of equipment
work order with specific instructions for tree cutting activities
template reports for recording tree cutting outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements
organisational procedures for tree trimming and cutting activities.
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: | plan time efficient cutting patterns and sequences complete routine calculations and report on size, length and diameter of cut trees. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask open and closed probe questions and actively listen to clarify contents of work plans |
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 trimming and cutting process, equipment faults and maintenance requirements. |
Planning and organising skills to: | efficiently and logically sequence the stages of preparation for and cutting of trees using work order to guide activities. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Common Technical