Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to control non-commercially thin species growing on site, to maintain the health of the stand, improve productivity and long-term sustainability, and ensure maximum growth vigour to optimise product outcome. It includes treatment with chemicals and the use of mechanical equipment.
The unit applies to a variety of work settings, including: forest environments, farms, agriculture operations, nurseries and local councils.
The unit applies to Forestry technician, Nursery technician, Supervisor (Forestry operations), Tree planter, Silviculturist, Arboriculture technician.
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. Plan thinning operations | 1.1 Review and assess relevant plans and site information for thinning operations. 1.2 Identify sample area and measure growth. 1.3 Plan level of overwood treatment accounting for habitat or seed tree considerations. 1.4 Plan thinning operation methods in line with budget and resources and confirm with appropriate personnel. 1.5 Seek and obtain necessary approvals. |
2. Implement thinning operations | 2.1 Obtain and coordinate required resources and equipment and authorisations in line with organisational requirements. 2.2 Organise schedule for operations with appropriate personnel. 2.3 Mark trees for treatment in line with plan and organisational procedures 2.4 Establish and maintain communication with others to coordinate work and keep work site safe. 2.5 Coordinate thinning operations in line with plans, budget, OHS, environmental and legislative requirements. 2.6 Monitor and adjust operations in line with site conditions to ensure effective and efficient work and minimal damage to stand. |
3. Review thinning operations | 3.1 Review operation against relevant plan and organisational and environmental requirements. 3.2 Analyse information to determine effectiveness of thinning operations and possible improvements to future operations. 3.3 Prepare recommendations for future operations, based on assessment of information collected. 3.4 Record and report operation activities and results to the 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 a non-commercial thinning operation to achieve one or more of the following:
work to maintain the health of the stand
improve productivity and long-term sustainability
provide for end product mix requirements
manage notifiable weeds.
and that includes:
identified and measured areas to be thinned
use mechanical and chemical methods to thin forest growth effectively
monitor non-commercial thinning operations to ensure safe and efficient work practice and minimal damage to stand
review operations and use findings to document improvements to future operations.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
workplace procedures and site standards for planning and implementing non-commercial thinning operations
environmental protection requirements relevant to planning and implementing non-commercial thinning operations
methods and products used for thinning operations including one or more of the following:
felling
poisoning
sapringing
ringbarking
processes for managing risks and hazards associated with thinning operations
relevant biology and stand dynamics for the species
common diseases, pests and nutritional deficiencies for the species being thinned
common weed and herbicide interactions
tools and equipment used for non-commercial thinning operations, and procedures for their safe use and maintenance
authorisations and approvals processes including:
permits
approvals
licenses relating to neighbouring sites or properties
hours of operation
use and application of chemicals.
procedures for recording and reporting workplace information.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
mechanical equipment for thinning operations
chemicals for thinning operations
site with growth to be non-commercially thinned
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information
workplace requirements and site standards for planning and conducting non-commercial thinning 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
This section describes those core and employment skills that are essential to performance and are not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Numeracy skills to: | determine forest growth in terms of number of trees per hectare, height, girth review and analyse information to determine cost effectiveness of operations. |
Planning and organising skills to: | identify work requirements in line with site conditions analyse data and requirements to plan efficient operations. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Forest Growing and Management