FWPSAW3215
Screen wood chips


Application

This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to screen wood chips for species, size and defects using mechanical screen processes. Work is completed in a forest products factory setting.

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 screening

1.1 Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel.

1.2 Select appropriate personal protective and other equipment and use in line with manufacturer's recommendations.

1.3 Identify and obtain type and quantity of wood chips to be screened from production process.

1.4 Plan screening process in line with work order.

2. Screen wood chips

2.1 Use equipment in line with organisational safety procedures, manufacturer’s instructions and environmental protection practices.

2.2 Complete pre start-up equipment checks to ensure operational effectiveness.

2.3 Start machines and feed systems and adjust screen to wood chip size.

2.4 Rake and clear coarse and fine screens to remove oversized material in line with organisational procedures.

2.5 Sample and analyse screening regularly to ensure wood chips conform to quality specifications and organisational requirements.

2.6 Reject and dispose of sub-standard material in line with environmental protection practices.

2.7 Monitor screening continually for matter which may cause contamination.

2.8 Monitor conveyor operations and clear jams to ensure free flow of output material to transfer systems.

2.9 Identify routine processing and equipment faults and resolve or report 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. If a specific volume or frequency is not stated below, then evidence must be provided that the following requirements have been performed on at least one occasion:

follow organisational policies and procedures relevant to screening wood chips

screen wood chips in line with a work order and within prescribed organisational requirements

direct wood chips to the transfer process in line with organisational requirements and OHS regulations


Evidence of Knowledge

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

purpose, features and operation of equipment used for screening wood chips:

conveyors, chutes or track systems that move processed wood chips from chipping machines to the screening system

different types of wood chip screening systems:

mechanical

automated

digitised

computer assisted

range of characteristics used to screen and sort wood chips:

species

size

moisture content

contaminants

typical contaminants found in wood chips, and how they affect ability to produce quality products:

bark

charcoal

rock and metal

industry and organisational specific quality specifications for wood chips

stages of the wood chip production, screening and transfer process

environmental protection practices for forest products factory settings:

cleaning of plant, tools and equipment

reducing water and energy use

disposing of, recycling and reusing timber

typical flow of material supply in and out of the wood chip screening area

organisational policies and procedures specific to screening woodchips:

workplace health and safety with particular emphasis use of personal protective and other equipment

communication reporting lines

recording and reporting processing and equipment faults.


Assessment Conditions

The following resources must be made available:

conveyors, chutes or track systems that move processed wood chips from chipping machines to the screening system

one or more of the following types of wood chip screening systems:

mechanical

automated

digitised

computer assisted

a selection of wood chips

personal protective equipment suitable for screening wood chips

manufacturers’ instructions and recommendations for use of equipment

work order with specific instructions for screening of chips and the chip size

documents, spreadsheets and commonly used proformas for recording processing and equipment faults

relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information

organisational policies and procedures for screening woodchips.

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 amounts.

read basic numerical machine settings and choose according to chip size

visually check sizes of wood chips.

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 recommendations.

Writing skills to:

complete accurate basic records for processing and equipment faults.

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 machine operations and take action to clear contaminant material and jams

recognise faulty equipment and resolve by reporting or rectifying.

Technology skills to:

select and use appropriate personal protective equipment used for chip production

efficiently and safely operate and monitor mechanical wood chip machine.


Range Statement

Not Applicable


Sectors

Sawmilling and Processing