Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to prepare logs for sawing, set up the processing of logs, break down logs into flitches or cants and maintain the production flow. Work is completed in a forest products factory and includes operator maintenance.
The unit applies to Sawmill Worker, Production 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 sawing | 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 Plan sawing process in line with work order. |
2. Break down 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 Use dogs to secure and align logs to saw and minimise damage. 2.4 Clear logs of foreign matter and feed into saw at feed rate in line with organisational safety procedures. 2.5 Check break down process regularly and adjust to maintain desired quality and output. 2.6 Reject and dispose of sub-standard material in line with environmental protection practices. 2.7 Direct broken down logs to designated area in line with work order. 2.8 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 breaking down logs
break down logs to produce sections in line with a work order and within prescribed organisational specifications
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 break down logs:
carriages:
standard three headed dog carriages
flat top carriages with head rigs
saws:
circular saws
bench saws
overhead frame saws or band saws
mechanical feed
conveyor system to transport logs to and from the sawing area
maintenance tools and equipment for saws
typical work flow processes for breaking down logs
typical flow of log supply in and out of the sawing area
range of cutting patterns used on logs to achieve maximum output of flitches and cants
range of feed rates and how they affect production output and finished quality of flitches and cants
characterstics of timber
breakdown processes, feed rates and finish
methods for assessing saw blade condition
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 flitches and cants:
warp
wane
curvature
cupping
shakes
insect defects
knots
resin pockets
organisational policies and procedures specific to breaking down 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:
one or more of the following carriages:
standard three headed dog carriages
flat top carriages with head rigs
one or more of the following saws:
circular saws
bench saws
overhead frame saws or band saws
mechanical feed
conveyor system to transport logs to and from the sawing area
maintenance tools and equipment for saws
consumable saw blades
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 breaking down logs and despatch to downstream processing
template documents for recording equipment faults and maintenance requirements
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information
organisational policies and procedures for breaking down 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 sawn complete routine calculations to determine correct angles for aligning logs to equipment 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 materials identify processing problems and faulty equipment and resolve by reporting or rectifying. |
Technology skills to: | select and use appropriate personal protective equipment for breaking down logs use saws to efficiently and safely break down logs accurately identify and replace blunt or damaged saw blades. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Sawmilling and Processing