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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for stump removal operations
   • Confirm work instructions and stumps to be removed with supervisor
   • Assess the size and scale of stump grinding works
   • Identify and confirm location and depth of above and below ground services with supervisor
   • Confirm workplace health and safety hazards and controls from job safety analysis (JSA) with supervisor
   • Confirm availability of first aid and emergency personnel, equipment and procedures
   • Unload stump grinder from transport vehicle according to workplace and safety procedures
2. Carry out stump grinder pre-operational and safety checks
   • Check maintenance log for outstanding performance issues, and report incomplete maintenance to supervisor
   • Conduct pre-start checks on stump grinder according to manufacturer instructions
   • Check fluid levels and fill to manufacturer specifications
   • Check safety guards are secure and in place
   • Check safety switches are functioning correctly
   • Check debris curtain is in working order according to manufacturer instructions
3. Complete preparations for work
   • Select, check and use personal protective equipment
   • Assess stump and surrounds for impediments to grinding operations
   • Implement workplace health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures
   • Plan the grinding operation and position grinder according to site conditions and operator instructions
   • Implement stump grinder start-up procedure
   • Operate stump grinder to grind stump according to manufacturer and operator instructions
   • Monitor cutting operation and adjust cutting rate and depth according to manufacturer and supervisor instructions
   • Undertake corrective action when stump grinder performance or safe operation has been compromised
   • Implement shutdown procedures following stump removal
4. Complete stump grinding operations
   • Dispose of waste according to work instructions and environmental procedures
   • Clean stump grinder and equipment according to workplace and biosecurity procedures
   • Perform operator maintenance according to manufacturer instructions
   • Report and record stump grinder usage, maintenance and repair requirements according to repair and maintenance procedures
   • Load and secure stump grinder onto transport vehicle according to workplace and safety procedures, and regulatory requirements
   • Maintain records and report stump grinding outcomes according to workplace procedures

Performance Evidence

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.

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Knowledge Evidence

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.

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