Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to assess wood chips for quality and contamination and to report on the outcomes for downstream processing. Work is undertaken in a forest and wood products factory setting.
The unit applies to Sawmill Worker, Production Worker, Chipper Operator.
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 assessment | 1.1 Check work order requirements. 1.2 Obtain required type and quantity of wood chips for assessment. 1.3 Select moisture meters and testing equipment and check for operational effectiveness. 1.4 Plan testing procedures according to site procedures and environmental requirements. |
2. Collect and assess samples | 2.1 Collect chip samples from designated locations and ensure they are kept free from mixing and contamination. 2.2 Collect wood chips at production, transport and storage for contaminants. 2.3 Review chip production, transport and storage processes for potential sources of contamination 2.4 Report problems with moisture content, size, shape, species and contamination. 2.5 Complete sampling records. |
3. Test wood chips and report outcomes | 3.1 Review chip specifications from production schedules and orders. 3.2 Test chips for moisture content, size distribution, shape and contamination. 3.3 Store chip samples and file test reports. 3.4 Communicate test results to production personnel to facilitate process control or changes 3.5 Modify test sampling processes in response to new problems and production changes. 3.6 Record and report testing process and equipment faults. |
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 assessing wood chips
assess wood chips in line with a work order and within prescribed organizational requirements for the following:
size distribution
shape
finish quality
contamination
faults
safely use tools, machinery and equipment for assessing wood chips
identify the following contaminants in wood chips:
disease
infestation
rot
paint
plastic
bark
charcoal
rock
metal
measure moisture in wood chips
identify whether wood chips meet requirements for size and shape
record sampling processes and outcomes of wood chip assessment.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
how wood chips are produced, transported and stored
environmental protection requirements for the safe disposal of waste or contaminated wood chips
organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for assessing wood chips
environmental risks and hazards
sampling and testing techniques
types and characteristics of different wood chips
visual assessment techniques
storage systems and labelling
tools and equipment and their safe use, operation and maintenance during the assessment of wood chips
procedures for recording and reporting workplace information.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
wood chips
equipment for measuring moisture in wood chips
personal protective equipment
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information
documents, spreadsheets and commonly used proforma documents
organisational policies and procedures relevant to assessing wood chips.
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: | measure moisture and chip size and quantities. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Sawmilling and Processing