Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to select and set up the processing of multi-species logs, saw logs into flitches or cants and maintain the production flow, allowing for changes in species. Work is completed in a forest and wood products factory and includes operator maintenance.
The unit applies to Sawmill Worker, Production Worker, Sawyer.
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 and select logs | 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 Select appropriate logs according to species and size or grade and billet to suit work order. 1.4 Reject, segregate or dispose of defective logs in line with organisational procedures and environmental protection practices. |
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 Plan, maintain and adjust sawing sequence to produce required quantity of flitches or cants and maximise feed rate. 2.6 Check and adjust break down process regularly to maintain desired quality and output, allowing for defects and changes in species. 2.7 Direct flitches or cants 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 organisational procedures and 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 selecting and sawing logs in multi-species operations
select logs in line with production requirements and log utilisation, including assessment of
diameter range
curvature
faults
softwood species of various types
moisture content
select and saw logs in multi-species operations to produce flitches in line with a work order and within prescribed organisational specifications
adjust break down process regularly to allow for changes in species
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 saw flitches and cants:
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 range of industry and organisation specific species types:
visual characteristics of logs
recovery characteristics
typical work flow processes for sawing flitches and cants
methods of adjusting workflow and sawing schedule during operation to account for differences in species
range of cutting patterns used on logs to achieve maximum output of flitches and cants
different cutting patterns required for different species of trees
assessment of logs for:
diameter range
curvature
faults
softwood species of various types
moisture content
range of feed rates and how they affect production output and finished quality of flitches and cants
typical flow of log supply in and out of the sawing area
methods for assessing saw blade condition
species and recovery characteristics of timber and timber defects
cutting pattern requirements, feed rates and finish
flow control systems and marking requirements
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 procedures specific to selecting and sawing logs in multi-species operations:
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 types of carriages:
standard three headed dog carriages
flat top carriages with head rigs
one or more of the following types of 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 selecting and sawing logs
a selection of logs from different species of trees
manufacturers’:
instructions for equipment use
recommendations for repairing and maintaining equipment
work order with specific instructions for selecting and sawing logs 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 selecting and sawing logs in multi-species operations.
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 measure log size across multiple species according to work orders 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 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 defective logs identify processing problems and faulty equipment and resolve by reporting or rectifying. |
Technology skills to: | select and use appropriate personal protective equipment for selecting and sawing logs identify: species and strength groups of logs recovery potential of logs blunt or damaged saw blades use saws to efficiently and safely saw logs in multi-species operations. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Sawmilling and Processing