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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. Determine evaluation requirements
   • Confirm trees to be evaluated according to client brief
   • Undertake a site-specific job safety analysis (JSA) and record and implement control measures
   • Determine tree health and hazard benchmarks for project according to industry standards
2. Examine tree visually for indicators of potential failure
   • Examine tree for indicators of general poor health
   • Examine tree for visual defects
   • Examine tree for indication of damage from organisms
   • Assess examination outcomes to determine potential for structural failure of tree components according to industry benchmarks
3. Undertake basic testing of tree for indicators of potential failure
   • Conduct tests for cavities according to visual indicators
   • Expose root crown and examine for concealed root defects according to visual examination outcomes
   • Remove loose bark and examine stems for concealed defects according to visual examination outcomes
   • Assess test outcomes for potential impact on tree health and structural integrity according to industry benchmarks
4. Record tree attributes and indicators
   • Capture images and record botanical name, dimensions and location of tree under evaluation
   • Document the results of examinations and tests conducted for tree under evaluation
   • Capture images, location and visual indicators of defects in tree for inclusion in documentation
   • Estimate and record dimensions of defect and affected tree component
5. Assess and mitigate potential risk, and document actions
   • Identify possible targets affected by tree under evaluation from client brief
   • Assess identified defective tree components for structural integrity and potential risk on possible targets
   • Validate assessment of severe defects on structural integrity of tree with consulting arborist
   • Advise client of outcomes of tree defect evaluation where a heightened potential risk to targets is identified
   • Take action to mitigate potential risk according to client advice and workplace policies and procedures
   • Document action taken to mitigate potential risk on target
6. Document and report hazards and recommendations
   • Review and assess tree defect evaluation results, and consider options for resolving any unmitigated risk
   • Identify and document recommended options for client approval
   • Compile records, results and recommendations, and document tree defect evaluation report according to workplace procedures and industry standards
   • Submit tree defect evaluation report to client 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 conducted a whole-of-tree defect evaluation from the ground for at least 20 individual trees with defects, from at least 10 different species.

There must also be evidence that the individual has:

performed a site-specific job safety analysis (JSA) and recorded and implemented control measures

determined tree hazard benchmarks for the project

considered relationship between tree species, defects and potential risk

examined trees for indicators of the following defects:

tree health

visible physical defects

damage from organisms

assessed examination results to determine potential structural failure

conducted tests to determine visual and concealed defects, including:

sounding accessible visual and concealed defects

probing accessible cavities

exposing and examining root crown

removing loose bark and examining for defects

assessed test results for structural integrity against tree hazard benchmarks

recorded details of tree under defect evaluation, including:

captured images of tree

identified tree to genus, species and common name

estimated approximate dimensions of tree

identified geographical location of tree

recorded the following attributes of the defects:

image of the defect

location within the tree canopy

visual indicators of the defect

estimated the dimensions of defect and affected tree component

identified potential target from client brief and assessed consequences of tree defects on structural integrity and risk to target

advised client on outcomes of tree defect evaluation

implemented action to mitigate tree hazard according to client and workplace procedures

documented actions taken to mitigate risk

reviewed tree defect evaluation results and assessed possible options for controlling hazard

identified and recommended action for client approval

compiled all results, records and recommendations, and documented in tree defect evaluation report according to workplace procedures

submitted tree defect evaluation report to client 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:

work health, safety and environmental hazards, assessing risk and the role of a JSA

preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) relating to tree defects and effect on structural integrity

structure and function of client briefs and their interpretation, including:

targets and the role of targets in tree risk assessment

industry and client tree hazard benchmarks

work health, safety and environmental hazards, assessing risk and the role of a JSA

noting and specifying tree under evaluation, including recording:

plant naming conventions

estimating tree dimensions from the ground

specifying geographic location on maps, pictures and global positioning systems (GPS)

tree examination procedures and methods from the ground, including:

signs and symptoms of health of trees

methods for determining tree health

tree anatomy and morphology relating to structural failures

tools and equipment required to assist in tree examinations, including:

cameras and digital imaging

sounding mallet and probing tools

materials

recognising visual indicators of tree defects, their causes and effect on structural failure, including:

visible and concealed defects, including cavities, cracks and included bark

common symptoms of diseases (e.g. rot, fungal growth, loose bark)

common signs of organisms (e.g. holes, frass, live organisms, loose bark)

testing procedures for confirming visual indicators of tree health and structural defects, including:

sounding and probing techniques for defects

loose bark removal and signs of defects

exposure of root crown to identify root and crown defects

health and approximate dimensions of the tree and affected tree part and defect

documentation of the tree defect evaluation, including:

digital imaging and photographs

reports and reporting styles and industry best practice

assessing tree hazards and likelihood of failure, including:

potential consequences

measures to rectify

types of potential target

urgency for notifications and gauging imminent threat

isolation of hazardous trees

moving potential target

size of tree and its defects

considerations for remedial action arising from defect evaluation, including:

aerial inspection

load testing

role of a consulting arborist, and seeking further advice from consulting arborist

laboratory testing

documenting and presenting reports to clients.

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