Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to plan flitch, cant sizes and cutting patterns and schedules, produce work orders for sawyers and to manage operational logistics for log sawing activities. Work is completed in a forest and wood products factory and also involves monitoring and evaluating processes to determine improvements.
The unit applies to Sawyer, Saw Operator, Sawmill supervisor.
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. Plan saw log operations | 1.1 Assess individual logs for types of flitches and cants that can be cut and determine optimal cutting pattern. 1.2 Plan and document cutting patterns to maximise output and minimise wastage. 1.3 Develop timber cutting schedules and work orders and brief sawyers in line with organisational procedures. 1.4 Identify variations in timber characteristics and report to sawyers. |
2. Coordinate saw log operations | 2.1 Assist sawyers to evaluate logs and sawing problems. 2.2 Monitor timber cutting processes; assess for quality of cutting pattern, suitability to log condition and ability to maintain schedule. 2.3 Modify cutting patterns and schedule to ensure optimum performance and communicate to sawyers. 2.4 Ensure processed logs are directed to designated area for storage or further processing. 2.5 Complete and maintain operating logs and cutting records in line with organisational procedures. 2.6 Investigate, record and report major processing and equipment faults and resolve or report to appropriate personnel. |
3. Evaluate saw log performance | 3.1 Monitor and evaluate saw log operations and output to determine process improvements. 3.2 Document process improvements and communicate to appropriate personnel in line with organisational procedures. |
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 saw log operations
planning and monitoring of saw log operations for the enterprise
modify cutting patters and schedules or saw log operations
coordinate personnel to follow planning, communications and scheduling for saw log operations
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
purpose, features and operation of equipment used for assessing logs
capacity of log sawing equipment and systems
methods used to assess logs for:
diameter
curvature
faults
species
moisture content
volume and type of flitches and cants that can be cut
stages of the log sawing process
typical flow of log supply in and out of the sawing area
cutting patterns used on logs to achieve maximum output of flitches or cants
methods of determining cutting schedules to maximise efficient handling of logs to be sawn
methods used to assess timber cutting processes for quality of outcomes and scheduling
format, content and use of:
cutting pattern documents
cutting schedules
work orders
operating logs and cutting records
process improvement reports
organisational procedures specific to planning and monitoring saw log operations:
communication reporting lines for sawyer team members and self
documenting cutting patterns, schedules, work orders and reports
recording and reporting systematic equipment faults.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
log measuring equipment
moisture probes
computers, keyboards, printers and software used to prepare planning and production documents
personal protective equipment suitable for assessing logs
a diverse, comprehensive and commercial range of logs
template:
cutting pattern documents
cutting schedules
work orders
operating logs and cutting records
process improvement reports
record for equipment faults
organisational procedures for planning and monitoring saw log operations
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information
a team of sawyers with whom the individual can interact.
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting. Sawing operations must be present in order that the individual can monitor, assess and modify cutting patterns and schedules in response to changing circumstances.
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: | complete routine calculations to measure log diameters complete complex calculations to determine: potential volume return from logs cutting schedules considering human and equipment resource capacity. |
Oral communication skills to: | provide clear and unambiguous information to sawyers about initial and changing cutting patterns and schedules. |
Reading skills to: | interpret basic operational cutting and processing logs completed by sawyers. |
Writing skills to: | develop comprehensive documents in a style and format easily understood by others: cutting patterns and schedules work orders reports on process improvements complete accurate basic records of cutting output and equipment faults. |
Planning and organising skills to: | source, collect and organise data to inform cutting schedules and process improvement reports efficiently and logically manage operational logistics for log sawing activities. |
Problem-solving skills to: | assess timber cutting processes during operation and take quick action to modify cutting patterns and schedules to resolve output problems investigate major equipment faults, consider systematic issues and resolve analyse production problems, consider various solutions and determine process improvements. |
Teamwork skills to: | take responsibility for coordinating a team of sawyers for effective saw log operations. |
Technology skills to: | assess logs, determine cutting patterns and schedules to maximise production outcomes and monitor effective saw log operations use a computer, keyboard and software to prepare cutting schedules, work orders and reports. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Sawmilling and Processing