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.
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