Application
This unit applies to personnel who operate a bulldozer or front end loader and will be directed to push trees to support fire operations.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Use and service machine | 1.1 Machine is set up, maintained and serviced to ensure safe operation in forest environments and that it is free of soil and water borne disease and weeds, prior to and after use. 1.2 Effective communication is established with supervisor, team members and support vehicle/s. 1.3 Safe procedures are employed when using the machine to push trees. 1.4 Machine is parked safely and securely when not in operation. 1.5 Personal protective clothing and equipment are worn and used in accordance with agency requirements. |
2. Plan to push tree | 2.1 Tree is assessed for suitability for pushing. 2.2 Topographical and vegetation factors are considered. 2.3 Environmental, cultural and heritage factors are considered in relation to the area where tree/s may be pushed or fall. 2.4 Approval is sought and gained for tree/s to be pushed. 2.5 Hazards and safe clearances are established around the tree selected for pushing. 2.6 Escape routes are identified. 2.7 Support personnel are warned of tree to be pushed. |
3. Push tree | 3.1 Communication is maintained with ground crews during tree pushing operations 3.2 Ground is prepared for tree pushing. 3.3 Direction of fall is determined. 3.4 Tree is pushed applying safe tree pushing practices. |
4. Undertake mop-up and rehabilitation activities | 4.1 Tree and debris are cleared for access and mop-up work as required. 4.2 Area is made safe for personnel to enter. 4.3 Rehabilitation works are conducted to specified standards as required. |
Required Skills
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. |
Required Skills |
communicate effectively orally maintain and service machine in non-fire environments operate machines in a non-fire environment |
Required Knowledge |
burn-over survival techniques capabilities of support vehicles environmental factors machine capabilities and limitations machine design and safety features machine maintenance requirements in a fireground environment organisational operating procedures (relevant to machine operations) wildfire control tactics and techniques |
Evidence Required
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package. | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Assessment must confirm the ability to: maintain effective cooperation with support personnel and vehicles push trees in support of fire operations communicate effectively with supervisor and other members of the team Consistency in performance Competency should be demonstrated over time; some performance criteria may be performed in a simulated wildfire environment. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Context of assessment Competency should be assessed in an operational environment or in a field-based simulated environment; Element 3 should be assessed in a forest environment. Specific resources for assessment Access is required to: trees requiring pushing machinery communications equipment support personnel |
Method of assessment | Assessment should be conducted by direct observation in either the workplace (through recorded subject matter supervision and/or mentoring) or the training environment. Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include: direct observation interviewing the candidate journals and workplace documentation third party reports from supervisors written or oral questions |
Range Statement
The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below. | |
Machine may include: | bulldozer excavator front end loader |
and must be fitted with | falling object protection systems (FOPS) roll over protection systems (ROPS) |
Safe procedures may include: | ensuring FOPS and ROPS are correctly fitted and used applying safe work practices assistance to vehicles and personnel working with machines communication with fire control line supervisors and support vehicles maintenance of contact and cooperation with support vehicles position in relation to live fire edge and fire intensity survival techniques in burn over situations wearing appropriate personal protective equipment wearing seatbelts in the cabin working within the limits of machine capability |
Assessment of trees must include: | entangled crowns fire burning in the tree faults growth characteristics and stresses hanging and insecure limbs hollows lean of tree multi leaders potential for ‘domino’ effect size of tree slope of land soundness of timber species weight distribution |
Topographical and vegetation factors may include: | density and condition of vegetation proximity to and crossing of, drainage lines and creeks rockiness of terrain size, condition and proximity of hazardous trees soil type steepness of terrain |
Environmental factors may include: | presence of or sensitivity to, environmental diseases or weeds that may be spread by machines presence of species sensitive to disturbance protection of flora and fauna habitat reference/research areas rock outcrops and caves soil disturbance and erosion water quality |
Cultural and heritage factors may include: | aboriginal sites historic sites structures and earthworks |
Sought and gained may include: | notifying supervisor of selected tree/s confirming permission to push tree/s confirming tasks are approved in incident action plan |
Hazards may include: | buildings and other structures falling trees and branches heat, dust, smoke hot ash power lines roads rock outcrops and caves |
Ground preparation may include: | clearing escape route clearing vegetation and obstacles (such as logs, rocks) around tree creating ramp for pushing ripping or severing roots of tree to be pushed |
Safe tree pushing practices must include: | avoiding obstacles such as tree roots and rocks rising as a result of the tree falling direction of approach relative to proposed direction of fall minimum and gradual power application to effect tree fall not rocking tree awareness of point of contact with machine use of blade and/or tree arm for optimal leverage |
Rehabilitation works may include: | breaking up heaps and levelling mounds removing material from creek and drainage lines filling in stump holes |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Not applicable.