Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to operate a loader and attachments to shift materials and logs. Work is completed in a forest or forest farm setting and includes segregating and stacking logs and operator maintenance.
The unit applies to those who conduct loader operations in a forest environment.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit in some state and territories at the time of publication, and may differ according to jurisdiction.
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 loader operations | 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 Identify type, quantity and weight of material to be moved to determine lifting requirements and compliance with load plate. 1.4 Plan loader operations in line with work order and heritage concerns. 1.5 Check loader controls and functions, attachments, brakes and manoeuvrability to ensure operational effectiveness. |
2. Operate loader to shift materials | 2.1 Use equipment in line with organisational safety procedures, manufacturer’s instructions and environmental protection practices. 2.2 Select, attach and stabilise lifting gear in line with safe working load requirements and organisational safety procedures. 2.3 Secure load to ensure stability. 2.4 Operate loader to shift material with optimum efficiency; observe and respond to people and hazards present. 2.5 Use communication signals throughout shifting operations to notify nearby personnel of presence. |
3. Load and unload logs. | 3.1 Plan loading and unloading work to minimise equipment and log movement. 3.2 Position loader to enable access to logs within load reach and movement limits. 3.3 Complete a trial lift to ensure stability and make adjustments to loads. 3.4 Select and segregate logs by size and grade; transfer and place logs suitable for base and side of load. 3.5 Separate and roll or lift individual logs using appropriate equipment movement techniques. 3.6 Use lifting gear to bunch logs to optimise loaded movements. 3.7 Lift, turn and place loads to achieve optimum load shape using appropriate equipment movement techniques. 3.8 Support or compress logs to enable placement of slipper or chocks. 3.9 Reject or report logs that do not meet size and grade requirements. |
4. Segregate and stack logs | 4.1 Position log stacks in line with work order plan for landing layout. 4.2 Visually assess logs for size, length, species and grade and segregate accordingly. 4.3 Allow space for other operations and construct stacks to provide stability and minimise potential of slippage and falling of logs. 4.4 Maintain log stacks to meet stock level requirements. 4.5 Move logs to designated location for further processing. |
5. Complete operator maintenance. | 5.1 Safely park, shut down and prepare loader for maintenance. 5.2 Inspect loader for faults, remove and replace defective parts in line with manufacturer’s recommendations 5.3 Complete cleaning and programmed maintenance tasks for loader; dispose of waste materials in line with environmental protection practices. 5.4 Record and report process outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements 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.
operate a loader and lifting gear to complete tasks, chosen from the following list, in line with individual work orders:
tree removal
stripping
spreading materials
stockpiling
loading and unloading of trucks
loading mill decks
segregating and splitting of logs
bulk excavation
towing equipment
winching
boxing
operate a loader and lifting gear to load, unload and stack logs for landing locations in line with an individual work order for each job
complete operator maintenance after the completion of log transfer jobs.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
environmental protection practices for operating loaders:
reducing water and energy use
cleaning plant, tools and equipment
disposing of, recycling and reusing timber and other waste
common environmental and heritage concerns relevant to operating a loader and methods used to minimise damage:
dust
noise
water
flora and fauna
culturally sensitive sites and artefacts
plantations
native forest
typical work flow processes for transferring materials and logs to and from designated areas
typical workplace hazards present during transfer operations and methods of minimising risks
capacity of loaders and attachments in relation to dimensions and weight
operating techniques for loaders and range of movements
methods to correctly load transfer equipment to ensure stability of load and equipment
methods used to stack logs to ensure stability
visual characteristics of logs and methods used to assess and segregate according to:
log species
diameter
length
grade
key features of these varying signal systems used for transfer processes:
hand signals
whistles
sirens
loud speaker announcements
two way radios
typical industry chain of command for communicating signals during transfer processes
purpose, features, operation and shut down of loading equipment used to transfer materials and logs:
loaders
lifting gear:
slings
cables
grabs
methods for:
assessing condition of loader parts
removing and replacing defective parts
organisational procedures specific to transferring materials and logs using loaders:
workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on equipment lock out and use of personal protective equipment
communication reporting lines
recording and reporting transfer processes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
loaders
lifting gear including:
slings
cables
grabs
maintenance tools and equipment for removing and replacing defective loader parts
communication equipment used to signal operation of loader
personal protective equipment suitable for operating a loader
commercial quantities of materials and logs to be shifted
manufacturers’ instructions for equipment use and maintenance
work order with instructions for moving materials and logs to and from designated locations
template documents for recording transfer processes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information
organisational procedures for transferring materials and logs using loaders.
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 and weight of material to be moved from work orders complete routine calculations to determine material dimensions and weights for loading, transfer and stacking. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask questions and actively listen to clarify contents of work orders provide clear, unambiguous verbal and non-verbal communication signals. |
Reading skills to: | interpret: workplace health and safety and other organisational procedures work orders manufacturers instructions and maintenance recommendations |
Writing skills to: | complete accurate basic records for process outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements. |
Planning and organising skills to: | efficiently and logically sequence the stages of preparation and material moving and relocating, using work order to guide activities. |
Problem-solving skills to: | identify oversize, overweight and unstable items and make loading adjustments recognise faulty equipment and resolve by reporting. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Harvesting and Haulage