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

There must be evidence that the individual has completely dismantled at least 2 trees in close proximity to structures or other assets. For each tree, the individual must have planned, communicated, prepared, conducted and completed each step of the dismantling process in the correct sequence within a timeframe expected by industry.

Each tree must be a minimum of 15 metres in height and have a minimum canopy spread of 10 metres. There must be a drop zone of no more than 4 square metres available with no access within the remaining drip line of the tree representing structures or other assets to be protected.

There must also be evidence that for each tree the individual has:

controlled the process from start to finish

devised a plan, communicated the plan and executed the plan

selected and implemented an appropriate rigging strategy and sequence including:

balancing and lifting of lateral branches

negative rigging of timber and heads

dismantled the tree safely and without damage to assets including:

selected appropriate tree components and attached rope correctly

made accurate and appropriate cuts from safe working positions

maintained constant communication with work team

There must also be evidence that the individual has:

identified workplace health, safety and environmental hazard and risks and implemented controls for the site, including:

conducted and completed a job safety analysis (JSA) or safe work method statement (SWMS)

prepared and used personal protective equipment

protected site and environmental assets

controlled vehicular and foot traffic, including erected signage, barriers, and warning devices

identified above and below ground services

identified site and tree hazards and risks, and adjusted work method or implemented control measures

assessed size, characteristics and defects of tree and determined dismantling strategy

confirmed access to emergency response resources and procedures

selected, prepared, checked and used tools and equipment for rigging and dismantling work, including:

identified working load limits of equipment components

configured compatible equipment components into appropriate rigging systems

identified force that will be applied to components in configured system during planned rigging operations

estimated mass of load and ensured force applied during rigging operations did not exceed working load limit of equipment

adjusted rigging systems as required to limit force applied to rigging system and tree structure

cleaned, inspected, maintained and stored tools and equipment according to workplace procedures

installed rigging equipment to industry standards including selected and tied the following knots:

bowline

bowline on a bight

clove hitch and two half hitches

cows hitch

Flemish bend

girth hitch

half hitch pre knot

marlinspike hitch

round turn and two half hitches

rolling hitch

running bowline

sheet bend

slippery sheet bend

timber hitch

twin bowline bend

zeppelin bend

used at least one of the following methods to safely access the tree according to dismantling method and strategy:

climbing technique

elevated work platform (EWP)

dismantled trees using rigging techniques to ensure no damage to assets, using all of the following methods:

cut and drop into designated drop zone

cut and lower using rigging and devices

step cut, hold and throw

directional felling techniques

tip lowering, butt lowering, lifting and balancing

negative rigging techniques for leaders and vertical timber

the use of multiple anchor points

floating anchor rigging (simple floating anchor or highline)

running anchor rigging ('cradle' rigging or speed line)

made accurate cuts according to industry standards, including:

making cuts from a safe and secure work position

selecting appropriate cuts for the desired outcome

accurately cutting scarfs, step cuts and back cuts.

All tree dismantling work is required to be performed according to preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume).

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:

anatomy and physiology of tree species and tree removal strategies

weather conditions and impact on planning and dismantling procedures, including the effect of wind direction and speed

site and tree hazards that might be encountered, including:

identification and evaluation of structural defects in trees

above and below ground services and effect on tree removal procedures

selection of tree removal methods for trees in close proximity to structures and other assets

methods for accessing trees for dismantling, including:

climbing techniques

elevated work platform (EWP) for tree removal

handling and using ropes for rigging and dismantling trees, including:

selecting, tying, dressing, setting and finishing arborist knots for rigging and dismantling trees

common problems and hazards with rigging and their potential consequences and solutions

dismantling techniques, including:

cut and drop

cut and lower

step cuts

directional felling

rigging techniques, including:

butt lowering, tip lowering and balancing

negative rigging techniques for leaders and trunk sections

floating anchor techniques (highlines and floating anchors)

running anchor techniques (cradle rigging and speed lines)

applying friction at the point of cut

rigging equipment selection configuration and use for tree dismantling work, including:

friction devices

pulleys, blocks, connectors and other hardware

dead-eye slings, loopie slings and whoopie slings

ropes for rigging and dismantling (tag or pulling lines)

configuration of equipment into rigging systems

impact of force, breaking strength, safety factors and cycles to failure

safe working limits on rigging and lowering equipment

calculation and estimation of tree dimensions and forces in rigging, including:

density of tree sections

methods of estimating mass of tree sections

estimation of force magnitude and direction applied during rigging operations

tree structural limitations and defects and impact on rigging and dismantling operations

ensuring force applied does not exceed working load limit of equipment components

mass dampening effect of rigging systems

methods of minimising environmental impact

preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) relating to dismantling of trees

legislation, regulations and local government laws governing tree removal, including:

permits and approvals

stakeholder notifications

site safety controls, including:

first aid and rescue personnel

equipment and procedures applicable to tree work

barriers and traffic control

signage and warning devices

responsibility for protecting property and assets in work areas and methods to prevent damage

considerations in developing a tree dismantling process, including:

drop zones

lowering zones

locating tools and equipment

communication requirements for tree dismantling work, including:

communicating with clients, residents and authorities

communicating with team members

coordinating and scheduling work teams

effective communication strategies during tree removal work, including the impact of:

noise

environmental conditions

communications resources

visibility

tools, equipment and resources required for dismantling trees, including:

safe use and operation

care and maintenance

cleaning and storing

inspecting equipment for signs of defects, including:

defective ropes and equipment

legal responsibility for maintaining equipment

tagging, replacing and reporting defective equipment

workplace record keeping and reporting procedures.

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

physical conditions:

the two trees to be dismantled as stipulated in the performance evidence requirements

resources, equipment and materials:

rigging equipment

height access equipment (climbing equipment or EWP)

personal protective equipment

chainsaws

first aid and emergency response equipment

traffic management kit and signage

specifications:

workplace procedures and instructions related to dismantling trees

legislation, regulations, codes of practice and preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) relating to dismantling work

relationships:

work team.

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.

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

There must be evidence that the individual has completely dismantled at least 2 trees in close proximity to structures or other assets. For each tree, the individual must have planned, communicated, prepared, conducted and completed each step of the dismantling process in the correct sequence within a timeframe expected by industry.

Each tree must be a minimum of 15 metres in height and have a minimum canopy spread of 10 metres. There must be a drop zone of no more than 4 square metres available with no access within the remaining drip line of the tree representing structures or other assets to be protected.

There must also be evidence that for each tree the individual has:

controlled the process from start to finish

devised a plan, communicated the plan and executed the plan

selected and implemented an appropriate rigging strategy and sequence including:

balancing and lifting of lateral branches

negative rigging of timber and heads

dismantled the tree safely and without damage to assets including:

selected appropriate tree components and attached rope correctly

made accurate and appropriate cuts from safe working positions

maintained constant communication with work team

There must also be evidence that the individual has:

identified workplace health, safety and environmental hazard and risks and implemented controls for the site, including:

conducted and completed a job safety analysis (JSA) or safe work method statement (SWMS)

prepared and used personal protective equipment

protected site and environmental assets

controlled vehicular and foot traffic, including erected signage, barriers, and warning devices

identified above and below ground services

identified site and tree hazards and risks, and adjusted work method or implemented control measures

assessed size, characteristics and defects of tree and determined dismantling strategy

confirmed access to emergency response resources and procedures

selected, prepared, checked and used tools and equipment for rigging and dismantling work, including:

identified working load limits of equipment components

configured compatible equipment components into appropriate rigging systems

identified force that will be applied to components in configured system during planned rigging operations

estimated mass of load and ensured force applied during rigging operations did not exceed working load limit of equipment

adjusted rigging systems as required to limit force applied to rigging system and tree structure

cleaned, inspected, maintained and stored tools and equipment according to workplace procedures

installed rigging equipment to industry standards including selected and tied the following knots:

bowline

bowline on a bight

clove hitch and two half hitches

cows hitch

Flemish bend

girth hitch

half hitch pre knot

marlinspike hitch

round turn and two half hitches

rolling hitch

running bowline

sheet bend

slippery sheet bend

timber hitch

twin bowline bend

zeppelin bend

used at least one of the following methods to safely access the tree according to dismantling method and strategy:

climbing technique

elevated work platform (EWP)

dismantled trees using rigging techniques to ensure no damage to assets, using all of the following methods:

cut and drop into designated drop zone

cut and lower using rigging and devices

step cut, hold and throw

directional felling techniques

tip lowering, butt lowering, lifting and balancing

negative rigging techniques for leaders and vertical timber

the use of multiple anchor points

floating anchor rigging (simple floating anchor or highline)

running anchor rigging ('cradle' rigging or speed line)

made accurate cuts according to industry standards, including:

making cuts from a safe and secure work position

selecting appropriate cuts for the desired outcome

accurately cutting scarfs, step cuts and back cuts.

All tree dismantling work is required to be performed according to preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume).

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:

anatomy and physiology of tree species and tree removal strategies

weather conditions and impact on planning and dismantling procedures, including the effect of wind direction and speed

site and tree hazards that might be encountered, including:

identification and evaluation of structural defects in trees

above and below ground services and effect on tree removal procedures

selection of tree removal methods for trees in close proximity to structures and other assets

methods for accessing trees for dismantling, including:

climbing techniques

elevated work platform (EWP) for tree removal

handling and using ropes for rigging and dismantling trees, including:

selecting, tying, dressing, setting and finishing arborist knots for rigging and dismantling trees

common problems and hazards with rigging and their potential consequences and solutions

dismantling techniques, including:

cut and drop

cut and lower

step cuts

directional felling

rigging techniques, including:

butt lowering, tip lowering and balancing

negative rigging techniques for leaders and trunk sections

floating anchor techniques (highlines and floating anchors)

running anchor techniques (cradle rigging and speed lines)

applying friction at the point of cut

rigging equipment selection configuration and use for tree dismantling work, including:

friction devices

pulleys, blocks, connectors and other hardware

dead-eye slings, loopie slings and whoopie slings

ropes for rigging and dismantling (tag or pulling lines)

configuration of equipment into rigging systems

impact of force, breaking strength, safety factors and cycles to failure

safe working limits on rigging and lowering equipment

calculation and estimation of tree dimensions and forces in rigging, including:

density of tree sections

methods of estimating mass of tree sections

estimation of force magnitude and direction applied during rigging operations

tree structural limitations and defects and impact on rigging and dismantling operations

ensuring force applied does not exceed working load limit of equipment components

mass dampening effect of rigging systems

methods of minimising environmental impact

preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) relating to dismantling of trees

legislation, regulations and local government laws governing tree removal, including:

permits and approvals

stakeholder notifications

site safety controls, including:

first aid and rescue personnel

equipment and procedures applicable to tree work

barriers and traffic control

signage and warning devices

responsibility for protecting property and assets in work areas and methods to prevent damage

considerations in developing a tree dismantling process, including:

drop zones

lowering zones

locating tools and equipment

communication requirements for tree dismantling work, including:

communicating with clients, residents and authorities

communicating with team members

coordinating and scheduling work teams

effective communication strategies during tree removal work, including the impact of:

noise

environmental conditions

communications resources

visibility

tools, equipment and resources required for dismantling trees, including:

safe use and operation

care and maintenance

cleaning and storing

inspecting equipment for signs of defects, including:

defective ropes and equipment

legal responsibility for maintaining equipment

tagging, replacing and reporting defective equipment

workplace record keeping and reporting procedures.

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

physical conditions:

the two trees to be dismantled as stipulated in the performance evidence requirements

resources, equipment and materials:

rigging equipment

height access equipment (climbing equipment or EWP)

personal protective equipment

chainsaws

first aid and emergency response equipment

traffic management kit and signage

specifications:

workplace procedures and instructions related to dismantling trees

legislation, regulations, codes of practice and preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) relating to dismantling work

relationships:

work team.

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.