Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to drive log trucks to and from forestry harvesting sites, facilitate log loading and unloading, and deliver logs to their destination. Work is completed in in a variety of work settings, including forest environments, landings, log dumps, saw mills, wood chip mills, veneer mills, board/plywood mills.
The unit applies to those who transport forestry logs by driving heavy logging vehicles.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit in some states and 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 to transport logs | 1.1 Review work order and schedules and where required check with appropriate personnel. 1.2 Obtain coupe map to determine identify logging sites, truck entry, access and exit tracks and loading areas. 1.3 Determine required truck configuration to meet work order and load build requirements and confirm availability of truck and ancillary equipment. 1.4 Check transportation documentation for compliance with regulatory requirements for driving hours, load limits and dimensions. |
2. Plan route | 2.1 Select route and coupe entry and exits points to ensure efficient, safe and legal log movement and minimal environmental damage. 2.2 Ensure selected route complies with height, width, overhang and load limits of road infrastructure and environmental constraints. 2.3 Estimate time required to transport logs and account for fatigue management guidelines. 2.4 Confirm route, timings and coupe entry and exit points with appropriate personnel. |
3. Facilitate log loading | 3.1 Access site and determine safe manoeuvring approach for loading area with worksite personnel. 3.2 Position truck to avoid site and equipment hazards and to maximise load safety and security while loading. 3.3 Place and check log positioning equipment for loading, and reset as required. 3.4 Communicate with worksite personnel and machine operators to ensure safe loading location and processes and that load meets transport regulatory requirements. 3.5 Monitor loading, complete final check to ensure safe transport. |
4. Secure logs prior to transport | 4.1 Secure load with sufficient number and type of securing devices in line with loading guidelines and transport regulatory requirements. 4.2 Re-tension logs as required. 4.3 Fit overhang warning devices and signage to load to comply with transport regulatory requirements |
5. Transport logs | 5.1 Transport logs on planned or modified route considering conditions, road surfaces and fatigue management practices. 5.2 Monitor condition of tracks and roads and report unexpected ground, water, vegetation and other environmental conditions to appropriate personnel 5.3 Drive truck legally and safely using primary and subsidiary controls appropriate to conditions. 5.4 Monitor truck gauges and warning devices to detect and respond to operating faults and ensure operational safety. 5.5 Communicate with other drivers and road users to inform location and potential hazards. 5.6 Conduct periodic load safety checks and re-tension load in line with road conditions and regulatory requirements. 5.7 Keep communication channels open to ensure location is known at all times to allow for emergency assistance. |
6. Facilitate log unloading | 6.1 Complete site inductions and establish safe manoeuvring approach for unloading area with worksite personnel. 6.2 Follow site personnel directions to manoeuvre and park truck to avoid site and equipment hazards. 6.3 Shut down and secure truck in identified safe unloading zone. 6.4 Inspect load for log movement and make provisions to support logs requiring difficult control during release. 6.5 Release load securing devices in correct sequence for truck, trailer and load configuration and in line with site safe unloading procedures. 6.6 Make truck, trailer and ancillary equipment safe for return journey to coupe. 6.7 Record and report log shifting process and truck operating faults 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.
plan the routes for and complete log movements using a truck or truck/trailer combination, in line with an individual work orders and transport schedule prescribing different load quantities, coupe locations and destinations for each job
assess the load during loading operations to avoid:
uneven weight distribution
instability or uncontrolled collapse of the load
assess the load during loading operations to account for:
requirements for trailer rigidity
turning clearance
overhang
projection above stanchions
crowning
weight distribution on truck and trailer axles
contact with bolsters, stanchions and other logs
after each of the above transportation movements, complete accurate basic records for log shifting processes and truck operating faults.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
purpose and content of applicable commonwealth, state or territory transport regulations for driving heavy logging vehicles with particular emphasis on load limits, allowable dimensions, driving hours, fatigue management and required rest breaks
applicable fall from heights regulations and compliance requirements
environmental protection practices relevant to driving heavy logging trucks to minimise:
fuel consumption
emissions
noise
damage to soil, water and other aspects of habitat
key features of these varying environmental conditions and effects on driving heavy logging trucks:
sealed and unsealed roads and tracks
ground slope
ground hazards and obstacles
wind and dust
fog and rain
typical safety hazards present at loading and unloading facilities and methods used to minimise associated risks
methods used to:
plan time efficient routes and schedules to comply with regulations and environmental considerations
safely load, restrain and unload logs
features, capabilities and capacities of logging trucks and trailers
purpose, features and safe operation of equipment used to load, unload and transport logs:
log positioning equipment
load securing devices
overhang warning devices
communication equipment
organisational procedures specific to transporting, loading and unloading logs:
workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on rest breaks and use of personal protective equipment
communication reporting lines
recording and reporting log shifting processes and truck operating faults.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
logging trucks and trailers including one or more of the following:
rigid or articulated log trucks
semi-trailers
jinkers
quad-dogs
B doubles
two-bay skeletal trucks
safety fittings
head boards
cab guards
log positioning equipment including one or more of the following:
bolsters
slippers
stanchions
chocks
load securing devices including one or more of the following:
dogs and chains
binders/straps
webbing
lashings and winches
auto-tensioning devices
overhang warning devices including one or more of the following:
flags
lights
reflectors
signs
communication equipment including one or more of the following:
two-way radio
hands-free mobile phones
personal protective equipment suitable for loading and unloading trucks
maps for coupe location
work order and transport schedules with instructions for equipment allocation, transport requirements and location of coupe and destination for logs
template documents for recording log shifting processes and truck operating faults
organisational procedures for transporting, loading and unloading logs.
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: | complete calculations, against regulatory specifications, of: heights, widths and weights of loads transportation distances, times and rest periods read and interpret truck gauges and warning devices record numerical data involving distances, times, weights and dimensions. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask questions and actively listen to clarify: contents of work orders and transport schedules locations of site loading and unloading areas unfamiliar site safety and operating procedures provide clear unambiguous information to site personnel about loads and any problems expected with releasing unstable logs |
Reading skills to: | interpret: workplace health and safety and other organisational procedures work orders and transport schedules load manifests transport regulations or plain English equivalent documents. |
Writing skills to: | complete accurate basic records for log shifting processes and truck operating faults. |
Teamwork skills to: | work cooperatively with site personnel and follow directions to complete safe and efficient loading and loading of logs. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable