AHCARB212 - Operate and maintain stump grinding machines assessment tool

Assessor Resource

AHCARB212
Operate and maintain stump grinding machines

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to operate motorised stump grinding machines to safely remove tree stumps.

The unit applies to individuals who operate stump grinders in a broad range of arboriculture contexts who undertake defined routine activities under supervision. They exercise limited autonomy within established and well known parameters, providing solutions to a limited range of predictable problems.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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Evidence Required

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An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has safely operated a stump grinding machine to remove at least one stump no less than 60cm in diameter, including:

unloaded and loaded the grinder on a transport vehicle

carried out set-up and pre-operational and safety checks

prepared the site ready for stump grinding work

cleaned, sharpened and maintained the stump grinder.

There must also be evidence that the individual has:

confirmed work instructions and stumps to be removed, and assessed the size and scale of the works

confirmed hazards and controls from job safety analysis (JSA) including:

located services

selected, checked and used appropriate personal protective equipment

confirmed the availability of first aid and emergency equipment, personnel and procedures

implemented workplace health, safety, environmental and traffic control measures

reviewed the maintenance log for outstanding performance issues, and reported inconsistencies

assessed stump surrounds for impediments to stump grinding operations and planned and positioned stump grinding machine according to site conditions and operating procedures

implemented start-up procedure and operated stump grinder including monitored ongoing performance and undertook adjustments and corrective action where performance was lacking

shut down machine according to operator instructions and cleaned stump grinder disposing of waste material according to environmental and biosecurity procedures

maintained records and reported grinding operations according to workplace procedures.

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

site hazards, risk assessment and documenting controls in JSA, including:

control measures for workplace health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control

personal protective equipment

first aid kits and access

emergency procedures

methods and purpose for locating above and below ground services

exclusion zones, barriers and fencing

pre-operational checks of stump grinders, including:

maintenance logs and their purpose

belts and pulleys, wear and replacement

cutter head and teeth adjustments and sharpening

tyre pressure

oil and fluid levels

preparing and adding fuel

hydraulic hoses

brakes

engine types and fuels

safety checks of stump grinders, including:

guards for belt, power take-off (PTO) and grinder head

kill switch

dead man

debris curtain

operation of stump grinders, including:

impediments to stump grinding operations

cutter head engagement and disengagement

positioning of stump grinders and operator

methods for determining spread and depth of cut

engine speed (rpm)

common faults, their signs and symptoms

environmental implications of stump grinding operations, including methods of collecting waste material and disposal and recycling

basic maintenance of stump grinding machines, including:

sharpening teeth

teeth replacement

belt replacement

records of operator usage in log record

methods of maintaining records for maintenance and replacement items.

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

physical conditions:

access to stumps ready for grinding

resources, equipment and materials:

stump grinder

tooth sharpening equipment

tools and equipment for conducting basic maintenance practices

cutter teeth

fuel and spill kit

personal protective equipment

first aid, emergency and traffic management kit

specifications:

workplace procedures for stump grinding

manufacturer instructions for safe operation, cleaning and storage of stump grinding equipment

arboriculture hygiene and biosecurity standards.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards. In particular, assessors must have:

arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed

current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed.

Submission Requirements

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Assessment task 1: [title] Due date:

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Assessment Tasks

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