FWPCOT3240
Grade heavy structural/engineered products


Application

This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to visually assess material characteristics and defects for classification into various strength and appearance grades. Materials can be sleepers, crossings, mine guides, piles, posts and other heavy structural or engineered products.

The unit applies to those who grade heavy structural and/or engineered products in a forest environment setting

No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.


Elements and 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 grading

1.1 Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel.

1.2 Select appropriate personal protective equipment and check for operational effectiveness.

1.3 Obtain type and quantity of material to be graded from storage location.

1.4 Plan grading process in line with work order.

2. Grade heavy structural or engineered products

2.1 Identify requirements for storage and subsequent processing of materials.

2.2 Assess characteristics and defects of each timber piece against industry standards for grade type.

2.3 Measure and record moisture content.

2.4 Mark defects for docking clearly, in line with organisational procedures.

2.5 Mark timber and sort according to grade classification, using clearly identifiable markers or stickers.

3. Distribute material

3.1 Label storage locations and direct material to storage or processing operations in line with organisational procedures.

3.2 Reject sub-standard materials; dispose of or recycle in line with environmental protection practices.

3.3 Monitor on-site movement of material to achieve intended flow.

3.4 Record assessment outcomes and distribution problems and report 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. If a specific volume or frequency is not stated below, then evidence must be provided that the following requirements have been performed on at least one occasion:

visually evaluate different types of heavy structural and engineered product for classification into strength and appearance grades, in line with an individual work order for each grading job

heavy structural and engineered products for classification are to be chosen from the following list:

sleepers

crossings

mine guides

piles

cross arms for overhead lines

decking for wharves and bridges

poles

after each job, complete a basic report on assessment outcomes.


Evidence of Knowledge

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

environmental protection practices for disposing of, recycling and reusing timber

features and uses of heavy structural and engineered products:

sleepers, crossings, mine guides, piles and cross arms for overhead lines

decking for wharves and bridges

poles

typical timber defects and how they affect ability to produce a quality finished product:

incorrect moisture content

warp

wane

cupping

shakes

insect defects

knots

resin pockets

typical work flow processes and techniques used to grade heavy structural and engineered products

range of industry standard lengths and cross sections and applicable terminology

range of industry standard strength and appearance grades and applicable terminology

markings used on heavy structural and engineered products to identify grades

typical flow of material supply in and out of the grading area

typical industry and organisation specific storage layout and storage categories for heavy structural and engineered products

methods to label heavy structural and engineered products for storage locations and common terms used

purpose, features and operation of equipment used to grade heavy structural and engineered products:

moisture meters

lifting equipment for the movement of material

organisational procedures specific to grading heavy structural and engineered products:

workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on equipment lock out and use of personal protective equipment

communication reporting lines

recording and reporting assessment outcomes and distribution problems.


Assessment Conditions

The following resources must be made available:

moisture meters

lifting equipment

personal protective equipment suitable for grading heavy structural and engineered products

a diverse range of heavy structural and engineered products including:

sleepers, crossings, mine guides, piles and cross arms for overhead lines

decking for wharves and bridges

poles

work order with specific instructions for grading and transferring heavy structural and engineered products to downstream processing or storage

organisational procedures for grading heavy structural and engineered products.

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 assessable material within work orders and count numbers

measure size of undesirable timber characteristics

complete routine assessment records involving numerical grades, dimensions and quantities.

Oral communication skills to:

ask questions and actively listen to clarify content of work orders.

Reading skills to:

interpret:

workplace health and safety and other organisational procedures

work orders

industry grading standards.

Writing skills to:

produce basic clear labels for timber identification

complete accurate basic reports on assessment outcomes.

Problem-solving skills to:

recognise undesirable timber characteristics and assess as unfit for specified purpose

identify and dispose of or recycle defective materials.


Range Statement

Not Applicable


Sectors

Harvesting and Haulage

Forest Growing and Management

Sawmilling and Processing