Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to safely build and maintain timber stacks in a variety of workplace settings, according to regulations and site procedures.
The unit applies to those stacking timber in a variety of work settings such as saw mills, veneer mills, board/plywood mills, frame and truss plants, timber product manufacturers, timber treatment plants and other settings such as timber warehouses and timber drying/kiln operations.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit but may differ according to state or territory jurisdiction. Refer to state or territory licensing body.
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 stack timber. | 1.1 Review work order to identify timber stack site plan. 1.2 Identify and follow safe work procedure for building and maintaining timber stacks. 1.3 Conduct a risk assessment in line with site requirements to address hazards and faults and to ensure safety of self, others and proposed timber stack, taking avoidable loss into account. 1.4 Follow traffic management plan. 1.5 Use safety gear and equipment in line with work health and safety (WHS) and site requirements. 1.6 Communicate with others as required, to ensure safety requirements are met, in line with site procedures. 1.7 Identify personal limitations related to building a timber stack and seek assistance as required, in line with site procedures. |
2. Build timber stack. | 2.1 Inspect timber to ensure it meets labelled or expected content and report non-compliant material to supervisor, in line with site and safety requirements. 2.2 Choose appropriate bearers to create required space for powered mobile plant to lift the stack. 2.3 Build the stack, check bearers and restrain timber in line with site requirements. 2.4 Manage maximum height of stack to suit environment and weather conditions, in line with industry safety standards and site requirements. 2.5 Identify problems and faults and report to supervisor in line with site procedures. |
3. Maintain timber stack. | 3.1 Perform routine checks as stack is built and during life of stack, and report defects to appropriate personnel in line with site requirements. 3.2 Repair timber stack as required, in line with site procedures and scope of own job role. 3.3 Store, reuse, recycle or dispose of waste material in line with site procedures and environmental requirements. 3.4 Complete and maintain workplace records and documentation according to site requirements. |
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit.
stack timber and maintain timber stacks in line with safe work procedure, site standards and organisational requirements
follow organisational policies and procedures relevant to building and maintaining a timber stack
use safety gear and equipment required to build and maintain a timber stack, in line with site requirements
communicate and work safely with others in the workplace
identify and control hazards and risks associated with building a timber stack, in line with workplace requirements
safely build timber stacks appropriate to the needs of the workplace
record and report required timber stack and fault information in line with site requirements
safely repair faults in a timber stack.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
work health and safety requirements, site standards and organisational policies and procedures for building and maintaining timber stacks
procedures for conducting a risk assessment which includes:
level and stability of individual packs
type of bearers
width, length and height of stack
weight of packs and stacks
duration of storage
type and strength of timber
type of lifting equipment
ground condition and stability in terms of slope, evenness, contamination and drainage
air-drying structure
unexpected obstacles
slippery or uneven surfaces
pedestrians on or near the timber stack
visibility
powered mobile machinery equipment faults or damage
ground strength to withstand the load of stacks and machinery
location of walkways, pathways and stores
top surface of ground
location of stack:
inside
outside under cover
in the open
monitoring and inspection procedures
storage area organisation
injury due to lifting, bending or crushing
machinery and equipment requirements
weather conditions.
procedures for identifying hazards and risks associated with building and maintaining timber stacks as outlined in the range statement
the use and importance of bearers including these needs:
be straight and not have knots
be identical in length in cross-section
not protrude from the stack
not be shorter than the stack
be laid flat
be in good condition
be able to withstand the environment
be checked for consistent thickness and shape
be correctly positioned
criteria for site surface stability and building a stack
factors contributing to avoidable loss including:
inadequate stack support
packs that are not level
exposing the stack to adverse drying conditions
inadequate stack conditions (poor drainage, stacks close to ground)
inappropriate site layout
inadequate stack protection
pack damage
unstable stacking
timber stacked too high
key components of a traffic management plan including:
ensure pedestrians are separated from powered mobile plants
allow safe entry and exit of mobile equipment and pedestrians
identify the most efficient route of travel
facilitate traffic flows
reduce the frequency of interaction with powered mobile plant
substitute a forklift with other suitable load shifting equipment
methods to visually estimate length of bearers and ratio, grading, colour identification and tagging of stacked timber
lengths, dimensions, tolerances, profiles and names of industry standard cross-sections
communication strategies including hand signals and gestures
common timber stack repair aspects including:
cordon off area from pedestrian access
install danger warning signage
replace damaged racking sticks, bearers or restraints
stabilise ground conditions, including top surface
stabilise packs and stacks
partially or fully rebuild packs and stacks
assess need for additional restraints
tighten loose restraints
timber stacking tools and equipment, and procedures for their safe use and maintenance
procedures for recording and reporting workplace information
‘Fit for work’ requirements, the impact of fatigue, and organisational policy and procedures for fatigue management
standards for height of a timber stack inside, under cover and in the open.
environmental protection requirements, including criteria for recycling and reusing material with faults and safely disposing of waste material.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment conditions
The following resources must be made available:
organisational policies and procedures relevant to building and maintaining timber stacks
powered mobile machinery used to build and maintain timber stacks
work order identifying timber stack site plan.
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: | visually estimate length of bearers and stack ratios. |
Oral communication skills to: | interact appropriately with colleagues and others report to supervisor and other appropriate personnel in line with site procedures. |
Reading skills to: | interpret work order refer to powered mobile machinery manual. |
Writing skills to: | record and report workplace information. |
Problem solving skills to: | identify and respond to problems, faults, hazards and risk. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Sawmilling and Processing
Timber Manufactured Products
Timber Merchandising
Wood Panel Products
Timber Truss and Frame Design and Manufacture