Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to plan, monitor, modify and assess timber treatment plant operations, within the scope of the person’s job and authority.
The unit applies to those who treat timber in a forest products factory setting such as a production or treatment plant supervisor.
Copper Chrome Arsenate (CCA) chemical is a restricted chemical product, which means that CCA can only be supplied and handled by suitably trained and authorised persons.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) advised that as of 1 July 2012, CCA products can only be supplied to, and used by, suitably trained persons authorised under a relevant state or territory law from that date.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit in some states and territories at the time of publication, and may differ according to jurisdiction.
In Victoria, to comply with licence/permit requirements, organisations must ensure that employees working with CCA demonstrate competence in this unit (FWPSAW3201 Treat timber), or that persons working with CCA do so under the direct supervision (sight and sound) of a trained and authorised person.
For regulatory information and details in other states and territories refer to the state or territory licensing body.
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. Plan treatment plant procedures | 1.1 Identify site-based workplace procedures relevant to treatment of timber. 1.2 Assess timber condition and characteristics and record moisture content. 1.3 Apply timber treatment schedules in line with site procedures and environmental requirements. 1.4 Plan and apply water management procedures. 1.5 Plan and prescribe waste minimisation and control measures. 1.6 Establish and maintain communication with others in line with organisational and workplace health and safety (WHS) requirements. |
2. Monitor treatment plant performance | 2.1 Check and interpret charge sheets to ensure accuracy. 2.2 Check and interpret reconciliation statements to ensure accuracy. 2.3 Check and analyse process trends for optimum performance. 2.4 Monitor treatment operations and output to record possible process improvements and to ensure maximum cost effectiveness. 2.5 Control non-conforming treated timber in line with site procedures and environmental requirements. 2.6 Investigate, record and report treatment operations, major problems and equipment faults in line with site requirements. |
3. Modify operations and assess technical developments | 3.1 Initiate approved modifications to schedules to ensure optimum performance. 3.2 Document and communicate treatment improvement modifications in line with site procedures. 3.3 Diagnose developments in treatment processes and related technology for possible implementation. 3.4 Analyse and assess technical developments for potential incorporation into existing plant operations and procedures. 3.5 Authorise, trial, document and introduce proposed developments into site operations. 3.6 Dispose of timber from unsuccessful trials in line with site procedures and environmental requirements. |
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 planning and monitoring timber treatment plant operations
assess, schedule and apply treatment plant procedures for timber samples
monitor treatment plant performance and modify operations as required
analyse and assess technical developments for incorporation into existing operations and procedures
map processing conditions to establish trends and use this information for modifications
modify timber treatment plant operations for the enterprise
follow planning, communications and scheduling for timber treatment plant operations
complete workplace documentation required for timber treatment plant operations including charge sheets to complete records of:
treatment plant charge
amount of power and energy developed and used, and
reconciliation statements:
statements reflecting chemical usage and cost
treatment times for cycles
breakdown losses
energy costs
modification expenses.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for planning and monitoring timber treatment plant operations
Australian Standards for Timber Treatment
environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material, the safe use and storage of chemicals and minimising carbon emissions
typical work flow processes and techniques for chemically treating timber:
full cell
modified cell
empty cell
double vacuum
immersion
rueping
dip diffusion
vat and sprays
moisture content of timber for treatment
effective and efficient use of energy
effective and efficient use of materials
timber treatment plant operation procedures
water management methodologies
waste minimisation control measures
treatment plant modification strategies
technical development diagnosis and solution methodologies
types of tools and equipment and procedures for their safe use, operation and maintenance
procedures for recording and reporting workplace information.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
personal protective equipment suitable for chemically treating timber
manufacturers ‘safety data sheets, or equivalent plain English information, for chemicals and preservative solutions
work order with specific instructions for chemical treatment of timber
template documents for recording chemical stock levels, processes and equipment faults
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information
organisational procedures for chemically treating timber
a suitably licensed person to monitor and supervise handling of CCA during assessment.
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. | |
Learning skills to: | identify and follow safe timber treatment procedures from organisational and manufacturer requirements (written and verbal) efficiently and effectively plan and monitor timber treatment plant operations. |
Numeracy skills to: | produce treatment schedules interpret charge sheets, reconciliation statements and process trends assess moisture content of timber. |
Oral communication skills to: | report major problems and equipment faults. |
Reading skills to: | analyse work orders to determine job requirements. |
Writing skills to: | record and report workplace information maintain documentation accurately. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Sawmilling and Processing