Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to use a saw or hydraulic ram to convert wood into two or more pieces to produce split posts or firewood. Work is completed in forest products factories which produce fencing components, landscaping supplies and commercial firewood.
The unit applies to Sawmill Worker, Production Worker, Timber Products 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 splitting | 1.1 Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel. 1.2 Identify type and quantity of products for splitting. 1.3 Select appropriate personal protective and other equipment and check for operational effectiveness 1.4 Plan splitting process in line with work order. |
2. Split wood products | 2.1 Use equipment in line with organisational safety procedures, manufacturer’s instructions and environmental protection practices. 2.2 Feed material into machine at feed rate to optimise production output and quality. 2.3 Maintain splitting process and adjust to maximise feed rate, desired quality and output. 2.4 Reject and dispose of sub-standard material in line with environmental protection practices. 2.5 Direct processed wood to designated area in line with work order. 2.6 Identify routine processing problems and resolve or report to appropriate personnel. |
3. Complete operator maintenance | 3.1 Follow organisational safety procedures to lock out equipment. 3.2 Check saw blades for bluntness or damage. 3.3 Remove and replace saw blades in line with manufacturer's recommendations. 3.4 Dispose of used blades 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. |
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 splitting wood products
split wood products in line a work order and within prescribed organisational specifications
store wood products in line with organisational requirements and OHS regulations
complete these types of basic non-specialist maintenance:
cleaning the machine of wood chips and sawdust
replacing blunt saw blades
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 split wood products:
hydraulic axe and rams
circular saws
bench saws
band saws
maintenance tools and equipment for saws
typical work flow processes for splitting posts or firewood
typical flow of timber supply in and out of the sawing area
range of cutting patterns used on timber to achieve maximum output of split posts and firewood
range of feed rates and how they affect production output and finished quality of split posts and firewood
methods for assessing saw blade condition
characteristics of timber and timber defects
splitting processes, feed rates and finish
blade condition assessment
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 timber defects and how they affect ability to produce quality split posts and firewood:
incorrect moisture content
warp
wane
curvature
cupping
shakes
insect defects
knots
resin pockets
organisational policies and procedures specific to producing splitting wood products:
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:
one or more of the following tools and equipment used to split wood products:
hydraulic axe and rams
circular saws
bench saws
band saws
maintenance tools and equipment for saws
consumable saw blades
personal protective equipment suitable for splitting wood products
a selection of round wood
manufacturers’:
instructions for equipment use
recommendations for repairing and maintaining equipment
work order with specific instructions for splitting wood produts and despatch to downstream processing
template documents for recording equipment faults and maintenance requirements
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information
organisational procedures for splitting wood products.
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 items to be split 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 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 material identify processing problems and faulty equipment and resolve by reporting or rectifying |
Technology skills to: | select and use appropriate personal protective equipment for splitting wood products select, use and maintain appropriate saws for splitting wood products accurately identify and replace blunt or damaged saw blades. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Sawmilling and Processing