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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan for the use of cranes for tree access and dismantling
   • Identify requirements for crane assisted tree work
   • Determine the requirements for crane access
   • Inspect site to identify site conditions, features and hazards that may affect crane set-up and operation
   • Determine crane type and size, and develop plan for crane assisted tree work
   • Communicate requirements to crane operator to confirm plan
   • Confirm availability of emergency procedures, rescue personnel and equipment
2. Prepare to conduct crane work
   • Determine access to site and gain approval from stakeholders
   • Confirm site preparations and notification of local residents and authorities according to dismantling plan
   • Liaise with crane operator and crane crew to confirm set-up, clearances from electrical services and working area
   • Undertake a site-specific job safety analysis (JSA) and record and implement control measures according to workplace safety procedures
   • Liaise with crane operator to determine load limit at working radius
3. Prepare arborist equipment ready for dismantling operations
   • Inspect trees for defects to inform planned tree access and dismantling strategy
   • Discuss strategy with crane operator and crew to confirm site, environment and crane working limitations
   • Determine lowering and processing zones and communicate to work team
   • Carry out pre-operational and safety checks on arboriculture tools and equipment required for dismantling
   • Select, check and use personal protective equipment
4. Access trees to conduct work
   • Select and use safe access methods to conduct crane dismantling work
   • Use climbing techniques to access trees to conduct crane work
   • Use crane to access trees using an approved crane access method according to industry codes, procedures and legislative and regulatory requirements
   • Communicate with crane operator and observer using agreed communication methods
   • Use climbing techniques to access work positions and perform dismantling operations
5. Prepare for crane dismantling and attach crane to tree sections
   • Maintain communication with crane operator and work team during operations using agreed communication methods
   • Use hand and whistle signals to communicate with crane operator according to industry standards
   • Select and apply crane lifting methods and sequence according to dismantling strategy and safety procedures
   • Determine weight of each tree section and communicate to crane operator
   • Attach crane with lifting gear to each tree section according to load limits, centre of gravity and planned lifting operation
   • Communicate pre-tension requirements to crane operator
6. Use crane to dismantle tree
   • Perform cuts to remove tree sections according to desired lifting operation
   • Control and monitor tree section removal and direct crane operator throughout lifting operations
   • Communicate with crane operator regarding lifting operation and adjust dismantling strategy
   • Apply arborist rigging and felling techniques when crane support is not required
   • Adjust work pace and methods to match processing capacity of ground crew and environmental conditions
   • Perform final dismantling and lifting operations for tree removal work according to specifications
7. Complete tree dismantling procedures
   • Confirm completion of tree dismantling work with crane operator according to workplace procedures
   • Clean, check and store tools and equipment according to workplace procedures
   • Record completion of tree removal, and report to stakeholders 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 fully dismantled at least one tree of a minimum 15 metres in height and with a canopy spread of 10 metres or greater using a crane. The tree must be in close proximity to structures or other assets. The individual must take charge of the process from planning to completion, including the safeguarding of assets.

There must also be evidence that in dismantling the tree, the individual has:

controlled the process from start to finish

devised a plan, communicated the plan to work team and crane operator, and executed the plan

selected and implemented appropriate rigging strategy and sequence for crane work

planned and dismantled the tree without damage to the assets

selected appropriate tree components and attached rigging to crane correctly

performed accurate cuts appropriate to safe crane lifting operations

maintained constant communication with work team and crane operator

completed the work safely.

There must also be evidence that the individual has:

identified work requirements and obtained relevant compliance approvals

determined the site access, inspected site for safety hazards for crane set-up and dismantling works and confirmed working areas and set-up with crane operator and crew

undertaken a site-specific job safety analysis and recorded and implemented control measures including:

confirmed the availability of emergency procedures, rescue personnel and equipment

appointed a spotter to ensure crane clearances from overhead services and obstructions

selected, checked and used personal protective equipment

selected and used safe access methods for crane dismantling work

carried out pre-operational and safety checks on arborist tools and equipment

accessed tree and safe working positions and communicated with work team throughout dismantling operations

performed dismantling operations including:

determined weight of tree section and communicated requirements to crane operator

attached tree section to crane with lifting gear according to load limits, centre of gravity and lifting operations

controlled and monitored tree section removal and directed crane operator throughout operation

applied arborist rigging and felling techniques

adjusted work pace and methods to match ground crew processing operations

confirmed completion of dismantling work with crane operator

cleaned, checked and stored tools and equipment according to workplace procedures

recorded completion of works and reported to stakeholders.

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

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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:

requirements for crane access and safe operation and limitations when deciding on dismantling operations with cranes, including:

sizes and weight of cranes for purpose

types and methods for stabilising and impact on surfaces

surface structures, including: fill, storm water pipes, retention tanks, driveways

soil and ground stability and slope

clearances from buildings and structures

no-go zones above and near electrical conductors

clearances from other trees and potential root zone damage

distance of reach to weight

regulatory requirements for use of cranes on sites, including:

local government roadside permits

energy authority permits

preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) for tree dismantling work

selection criteria for using cranes for arboriculture work

arborist requirements for crane set-up, including:

crane footprint and set-up area

working area

working radius

largest estimated lift

order of dismantle

workplace health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures, including:

completing JSAs for site-specific risks

purpose of first aid and rescue personnel, equipment and procedures

pre-operational and safety checks, on ropes, harnesses, tools and equipment

personal protective equipment used when climbing

work planning procedures and collaboration when working with crane operator, including:

preparing a dismantling strategy

tree access procedures and resources

arborist climbing equipment and techniques to access and work in trees

purpose, function, selection, tying, dressing, setting and finishing of arborist knots used for climbing techniques

safety when climbing trees, including:

safe working limits, ropes and equipment

defects in ropes, tools and equipment

controlled descent operations

controlled removal of access equipment

forces applied to anchor points during access and work positioning using MRT and SRT

forces applied at primary anchor points and at redirects

hazards to avoid when working within the tree canopy near cranes, including:

spatial awareness for crane and cabling components

power line, no-go zones, safe approach distances and vegetation clearances

tree structural defects

animals or insects

deciding on low-risk access routes

access to tree canopy using cranes, including:

local state or territory legislation and regulations

attaching to the crane hook

safety implications

communications strategies between ground crews, crane operators or crane crew, including:

hand and whistle signals

UHF or Bluetooth communications

crane industry standards for communication

attaching tree components and loads to crane hooks, including:

crane attachment slings

chains and cables

dead-eye slings

estimating load and balance of tree components

controlling tree sections during crane lift, including:

controlling balance

methods for controlling branches, leaders and trunk

dismantle techniques for branches and trunk sections, including:

cut and drop method

directional felling

arborist rigging techniques

records and reporting procedures for crane supported tree dismantling operations.

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