FWPCOT3247
Select timber for forestry operations


Application

This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to select timber for use in forestry operations, by applying knowledge of timber technology.

The unit applies to those working in technical roles in the forest and wood products industry.

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 timber selection

1.1 Review workplace and quality procedures for timber selection.

1.2 Conduct visual inspection of products for suitability.

1.3 Review and check product specifications.

2. Evaluate selected timber

2.1 Assess growth and durability of the timber.

2.2 Assess species, timber structure, features and characteristics of timber.

2.3 Check moisture content of selected timber and ensure it meets production requirements.

2.4 Identify density and working properties of timber to ensure they meet production requirements.

2.5 Identify faults and features in the timber.

2.6 Select sawing patterns that best suit the selected timber.

3. Report on timber selection

3.1 Assess timber for quality and specification requirements.

3.2 Prepare timber for dispatch ensuring that damage is prevented or minimized.

3.3 Follow organizational procedures to document timber assessment outcomes.

3.4 Record and report on timber selection procedures and identify any problems with the process.

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:

follow organisational policies and procedures for selecting timber

undertake visual inspection and identify: defects, contamination, timber colours, insect attack, surface finishes, loose surfaces, bubbles, holes, breakages, machine caused defects

assess timber for growth patterns using appropriate methods including make-up of a tree: bark (cortex), phloem, cambium layer, sapwood (xylem), heartwood (truewood), pith (medulla), medullary rays, earlywood, latewood, growth rings, cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin extractives

assess timber for durability: strength, hardness and rating for use, classification and measurement

assess timber structures: hardwood (pored wood) or softwood (non-pored wood) and cell structured timber, including vessels, fibres, ray cells, pits, tracheids, texture, seasoning methods

assess timber characteristics: colour, density, texture, grain, figure, qualities, uses

identify faults and features of timber: bow, spring, twist, warp, wane, cupping, shakes, insect defects, fungi, knots, resin pockets, wild grain, sloping grain

measure moisture content of timber

prepare products relating to a customer order via various means of transport

record and report on outcomes of timber selection.


Evidence of Knowledge

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

organisational policies and procedures for selecting timber

defects in timber: contamination, timber colours, insect attack, surface finishes, loose surfaces, bubbles, holes, breakages, machine caused defects

procedures for assessing timber for growth, durability, cell structure and characteristics

the working properties of timber: timber shrinkage, effects of light, density and deterioration of the timber, compressive and tensile stresses, modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, deformation, creep, surface hardness

faults and features of timber

acceptable moisture content of timber

sawing patterns (live-sawn, back sawn, quarter sawn) and their suitability for different timber.


Assessment Conditions

The following resources must be made available:

tools and equipment used to make timber selection

timber for selection and classification

relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information

documents, spreadsheets and commonly used proforma documents

personal and protective equipment for selecting timber in forestry operations.

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

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency


Range Statement

Not Applicable


Sectors

Sawmilling and Processing

Timber Manufactured Products

Timber Merchandising

Wood Panel Products

Timber Truss and Frame Design and Manufacture