Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to assess, plan and coordinate salvaging trees of a commercially viable size, immediately after fire in a forest or farm forest setting, before degradation and insect infestation occur. It includes directing tree fellers and trimmers.
The unit applies to Forestry Supervisor, Harvesting Supervisors.
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. Prepare for salvage operations | 1.1 Analyse workplace health and safety (WHS), environmental and regulatory requirements for fire salvage operations. 1.2 Check and review work order with appropriate personnel. 1.3 Contact local authority and obtain salvage approval. 1.4 Select appropriate equipment for work requirements and check for operational effectiveness in line with manufacturers recommendations. |
2. Plan salvage operations | 2.1 Determine location using map and grid references, obtain land ownings and establish boundaries 2.2 Investigate and report on topography including slope, elevation, contours and soil type 2.3 Assess environmental conditions and plan site preparation, access and operational activities. 2.4 Plan and instigate environmental protection practices for the landscape, soil and drainage. 2.5 Assess and report on extent of fire damage. 2.6 Estimate and report on commercial viability of tree harvest and extraction. 2.7 Produce and check a written plan for all fire salvage operations. |
3. Coordinate salvage operations | 3.1 Communicate plans for clearing, trimming and felling operations to harvesting personnel. 3.2 Direct track builders to form access in line with salvage plan. 3.3 Direct and monitor clearing of burnt scrub and dangerous limbs. 3.4 Monitor movement and whereabouts of personnel and modify work in line with WHS requirements. 3.5 Assess tree location and stability for conditions likely to affect safety of felling activities. 3.6 Direct fellers to fall designated trees in line with salvage plan and WHS requirements. 3.7 Monitor use of mechanical equipment to minimise carbon emissions. 3.8 Coordinate haulage of logs from site and ensure landscape is left in a safe and tidy condition to allow regeneration to occur. |
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit.
follow organisational policies and procedures relevant to planning and coordinating fire salvage operations
estimate and report on the commercial viability of tree harvest and extraction for fire affected sites
plan and coordinate fire salvage operations in line with community expectations and operational requirements
coordinate personnel to follow planning, communications and scheduling for fire salvage operations
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
content and application of applicable commonwealth, state, territory or local government regulations relevant to fire salvage operations
environmental protection practices for forest and farm forest settings affected by fire:
safe disposal of waste material
cleaning of plant, tools and equipment
recycling and re-use of timber with defects
minimising the impact of mechanical equipment on the environment
leaving the site in a safe and tidy condition to allow for regeneration
sustainable forest management, at a basic level of understanding, and the role of salvaging fire affected trees in the recovery of fire damaged forests
key impacts of fire on a forest site and effects on fire salvage operations:
characteristics of burnt trees
how fire has affected stability of trees
what fire has done to underlying scrub
how safe the forest is to enter
environmental hazards and risks to worker safety
key processes in fire salvage operations:
planning and coordinating salvage operations
established chain of command for communication of information and instruction
methods to assess fire damaged trees
harvesting and extraction techniques for fire damaged trees
types of equipment for trimming and felling fire damaged trees; their purpose, features and operation
organisational standards, policies and procedures for the assessment, planning and coordination of fire salvage operations:
workplace health and safety specific to harvesting trees in fire damaged forests
environmental protection
recording and reporting on fire damage and commercial viability of tree harvest
documenting fire salvage plans
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
computers and software programs used for documenting fire salvage plans
equipment for trimming and felling fire damaged trees
personal protective equipment suitable for harvesting trees in fire damaged forests
applicable commonwealth, state, territory or local government regulations relevant to fire salvage operations
topographic maps for the site
template reports for and reporting on fire damage and commercial viability of tree harvest
template fire salvage plans
organisational standards, policies and procedures for the assessment, planning and coordination of fire salvage operations
a team of tree fellers and trimmers with whom the individual can interact.
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 grid measurements on maps to calculate and determine boundaries interpret topographical maps to identify slope and elevation of site complete routine calculations to estimate commercial viability of harvest. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask open and closed probe questions and actively listen to clarify: contents of work plans site personnel understanding of instructions provide clear, unambiguous operational instructions to site personnel use language and concepts appropriate to individual social and cultural differences. |
Reading skills to: | interpret: WHS and fire salvage procedures work plans topographic maps salvage approvals. |
Writing skills to: | complete detailed applications for salvage approvals complete detailed and accurate reports on fire damage and commercial viability of tree harvest document detailed and accurate fire salvage plans. |
Planning and organising skills to: | plan and coordinate all aspects of fire salvage operations. |
Problem-solving skills to: | identify operational, environmental and safety problems and implement appropriate responses. |
Teamwork skills to: | lead the team of site personnel to ensure efficient and safe tree harvest. |
Technology skills to: | use computers and software programs for documenting fire salvage plans select equipment appropriate for the particular fire salvageoperation. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Harvesting and Haulage