Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to shape debarked logs into round poles to a set diameter for further down-stream processing. Work is completed in a forest products factory and includes assessing logs for diameter, species, faults and moisture content.
The unit applies to Sawmill Worker, Production Worker, Treatment Plant Worker.
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 rounding | 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 Assess logs to be rounded for diameter, species, faults and moisture content. 1.4 Plan rounding process in line with work order. |
2. Round logs | 2.1 Use equipment in line with organisational safety procedures, manufacturer’s instructions and environmental protection practices. 2.2 Complete pre start-up checks to ensure operational effectiveness. 2.3 Calibrate scanner in line with manufacturer’s instructions. 2.4 Feed material into machine at feed rate in line with organisational procedures. 2.5 Maintain rounding process and adjust to maximise feed rate. 2.6 Check rounding process and conveyors regularly, adjusting to maintain desired quality and output. 2.7 Reject and dispose of sub-standard logs in line with environmental protection practices. 2.8 Direct rounded logs to designated area in line with work order. 2.9 Identify routine processing faults and resolve or report to appropriate personnel. |
3. Complete operator maintenance | 3.1 Follow organisational safety procedures to lock out equipment. 3.2 Check cutters for bluntness or damage. 3.3 Remove and replace cutters in line with manufacturer's recommendations. 3.4 Dispose of used cutters in line with environmental protection practices. 3.5 Complete basic non-specialist maintenance for equipment. 3.6 Keep machine clear of dust and debris in line with organisational safety procedures. 3.7 Record and report equipment faults and maintenance requirements to appropriate personnel. |
4. Complete handover | 4.1 Complete and print production and quality records. 4.2 Create back-up files in line with organisational procedures. 4.3 Brief and hand over documentation to changeover operator. |
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 rounding softwood logs
round softwood logs in line with prescribed organisational specifications using a machine that shapes the debarked log into a round pole
store poles in line with organisational requirements
complete these types of basic non-specialist maintenance:
cleaning the machine of wood chips and sawdust
replacing blunt cutters
inspecting machine parts for wear or damage, including guards
greasing and lubricating moving parts
checking the operation of emergency stop buttons and lock out systems
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
purpose, features and operation of equipment used to round softwood logs:
measuring equipment
rounding plant
scanners that calibrate dimension sizes
back –up computer device
automated conveyor system to transport logs to and from the rounding plant
maintenance tools and equipment for cutters
methods used to assess logs for:
diameter
curvature
faults
species
moisture content
typical work flow processes for rounding logs
typical flow of log supply in and out of the production area
range of feed rates and how they affect production output and finished quality of rounded logs
methods for assessing and rectifying typical scanner problems:
tangles
sorting pockets
monitor failure
methods for assessing cutter condition
log rounding systems, processes, feed rates and finish
characteristics of timber
storage systems and labelling
environmental protection practices for forest products factory settings:
reducing water and energy use
cleaning plant, tools and equipment
disposing of, recycling and reusing timber
typical log defects and how they affect ability to produce quality rounded softwood logs:
warp
wane
curvature
cupping
shakes
insect defects
knots
resin pockets
organisational procedures specific to rounding logs:
workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on equipment lock out and use of personal protective equipment
communication reporting lines
recording and reporting processing problems and equipment faults.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
measuring equipment
moisture probes
rounding plant with:
scanner to calibrate dimension sizes
back –up computer device
automated conveyor system to transport logs to and from the rounding plant
maintenance tools and equipment for cutters
consumable cutters
personal protective equipment suitable for rounding logs
a selection of logs
manufacturers’:
instructions for equipment use
recommendations for repairing and maintaining equipment
work order with specific instructions for rounding logs and despatch to downstream processing
template documents for recording production outcomes and equipment faults
organisational policies and procedures for rounding 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: | identify quantities of required material within work orders and count number of logs to be rounded complete routine calculations to measure log diameters and calibrate scanner for sizing calculate the feed rate to optimise quality and quantity of production output. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask open and closed probe questions and actively listen to clarify contents of work orders. |
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 production outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements. |
Planning and organising skills to: | efficiently and logically sequence the stages of preparation and production using work order to guide activities. |
Problem-solving skills to: | identify and dispose of sub-standard logs identify processing problems and faulty equipment and resolve by reporting or rectifying. |
Teamwork skills to: | complete a handover to incoming operators and share relevant information. |
Technology skills to: | select and use appropriate personal protective equipment for rounding logs use a rounding plant to efficiently and safely round logs operate the computerised controls and complete back-up files accurately identify and replace blunt or damaged cutters. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Sawmilling and Processing