Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

AHCARB316 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Perform pruning operations

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCARB316 - Perform pruning operations
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to perform corrective and remedial pruning operations to trees either from the ground or whilst working at height. The unit applies to individuals who work in arboriculture under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources and for solving problems.The arboriculture industry requires that all pruning operations work is undertaken according to preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume).Legislation, regulations and by-laws relating to the treatment and removal of trees apply in some states and territories.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

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

physical conditions:

the trees stipulated to be pruned in the performance evidence

resources, equipment and materials:

chainsaws, including a climbing saw

pole saw

pruning handsaws

personal protective equipment

first aid and emergency kit

traffic management kit

signage – work zone

trees and tree parts

specifications:

workplace procedures and instructions related to pruning trees

legislation, regulations, codes of practice, Australian Standard AS 4373 related to pruning trees

preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) for pruning operations

documentation for planning, obtaining permits

relationships:

client and 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.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare for pruning operations
  • Receive and confirm instructions with supervisor
  • Confirm access to site and location of trees and work zones
  • Determine type, extent and limit of pruning work in accordance with specifications, scope of works and client brief
  • Undertake a site-specific job safety analysis (JSA) and record and implement site-specific control measures
  • Communicate with work team using agreed methods according to works undertaken and site and environmental conditions
       
Element: Prepare tools, equipment and work environment
  • Select tools and equipment for pruning work
  • Consider access and impact of selected pruning tools and equipment on tree
  • Carry out pre-operational and safety checks on pruning tools and equipment
  • Select, check and use personal protective equipment
  • Disinfect pruning equipment during tree work according to hygiene and biosecurity procedures and tree assessment outcomes
  • Implement workplace health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures according to JSA
       
Element: Determine tree parts to be removed and plan pruning operations
  • Investigate tree canopy shape, structure and defects to determine pruning plan
  • Assess tree structure for stem co-dominance and branch attachment to determine options for pruning cut procedure
  • Identify tree part requiring removal and select pruning procedure and location of cut from identified pruning cut options
       
Element: Perform pruning operations
  • Prepare pruning equipment to ensure cuts are clean
  • Use pruning tools to make pruning cuts according to industry standards and manufacturer operating instructions
  • Make cuts from a secure body position with awareness of extant tree hazards
  • Maintain awareness of power line proximity, safe approach distances and clearances
  • Select pruning cuts for crown maintenance or crown modification according to scope of works
  • Perform pre-cutting techniques to avoid splitting or tearing of the stem and bark
  • Perform final cut according to the principles of compartmentalisation of decay in trees (CODIT) and current industry standards
  • Ensure bark at edge of all pruning cuts remains firmly attached
       
Element: Improve pruning quality
  • Review previous pruning cuts to determine tree response to pruning activities
  • Assess tree response to previous pruning methods and compare with current work practice
  • Seek advice from consulting arborists on quality of current pruning work practice
  • Identify substandard current pruning cuts and rectify according to advice
       
Element: Complete pruning operations
  • Drop or lower pruned material into designated drop zone
  • Clean, maintain and store tools and equipment
  • Collect and dispose of pruned material according to environmental procedures
  • Maintain pruning records according to workplace procedures
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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

There must be evidence that the individual has demonstrated pruning operations according to given specifications for at least 4 trees, including:

1 tree with a minimum height of at least 10 metres and a minimum 5 metre spread for which the pruning specifications must include:

removal of hazardous dead wood or branches from the tree canopy

reduction of the extent of the crown

selective pruning to remove branches to resolve specific problems

1 tree of less than 4 metres in height to be formatively pruned

2 mature trees of at least 10 metres in height, for which the predetermined specifications must include at least 3 of the following maintenance or modification activities:

reduced the extent of the crown

lifted the height of the crown

pruned trees for low voltage line clearance on a residential property

performed remedial pruning including removal of dead wood

removed dead fronds and fruit from palm trees

pollarded a tree.

There must also be evidence that the individual has:

communicated with work team during operations using communication method agreed with work team

determined type, extent and limit of pruning work according to the specifications, scope of works, relevant standards and client brief

operated safely while undertaking work, including:

conducted a job safety analysis for the site before work

maintained safe approach distances and clearances to power lines

selected and used personal protective equipment

inspected tree for safe access and work

conducted tree pruning from a secure and safe position

selected, prepared and checked and safely used tools and equipment and cleaned and maintained for all pruning operations

determined crown maintenance and modifications required and identified pruning cut options according to Australian Standards AS 4373 including:

stem co-dominance

stem bark ridge

old cuts

dead branches

occluded and occluding branches

used pre-cuts and undercuts of branches to avoid splitting or tearing and ensured bark remained firmly attached

performed final cuts that complied with principles of compartmentalisation of decay in trees (CODIT), including:

cut to the branch collar without leaving a protruding stub

used branch bark ridge to determine angle of cut where visible collar is absent

ensured lateral branch to which the final cut is made is the correct diameter for the branch being reduced

used stem bark ridge to determine the angle of cut when removing a co-dominant stem

positioned the final cut guided by positions and angles of joins between tissue of declining or dead stems and those of healthy stems elsewhere in tree

ensured bark at edge of cuts remained firmly attached

conducted a review of pruning practices for tree response to pruning and advice from arborist and modified pruning methods to improve pruning quality

dropped or lowered pruned material into designated drop zone and collected and removed pruned material according to workplace and environmental procedures

maintained pruning records according to workplace procedures.

All pruning operations 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:

purpose of pruning trees and the standards expected, including:

canopy maintenance and the principles of dead wooding, crown thinning, selective pruning, formative pruning

canopy modification and the principles of reduction pruning, crown lifting, pollarding, remedial pruning, line clearance

work health and safety procedures for pruning operations

work site procedures for job safety analysis (JSA) for pruning and activities and control measures, including:

recognition of hazards

assessing the risks

identifying controls

documenting a JSA

personal protection

first aid

rescue procedures

visual tree assessment, including health, growth habit, structure, stability and growing environment

pruning equipment; advantages and disadvantages and use, including:

secateurs

chainsaws

pole saws

handsaws

equipment pre-start checks

tree and branch anatomy and attachments related to pruning, including:

lateral branch collars

branch bark ridges

stem bark ridges

occluded and occluding branches

dominant and co-dominant stems

preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) for pruning operations and Australian Standard AS 4373

gauging the quality of pruning by assessing tree responses to pruning, including:

recognising correct and incorrect pruning cuts

rectifying poor pruning cuts

hygiene and biosecurity procedures to minimise cross-infections from pruning activity

safe communication during tree pruning work, including the impact of noise, environmental conditions, communications resources, and visibility

communications strategies used in the arboriculture industry, including:

voice

hand

whistle signals

electronic communications

safety considerations and procedures when working near overhead power lines, including:

basics of electrocution

power line types and insulation

approach distances and safety zones, voltage and arcing

authorisations to work near power lines

tools, equipment, tree loads, personnel and power line contact

legal liability

workplace records for pruning operations

environmental procedures and site management and clean-up.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Receive and confirm instructions with supervisor 
Confirm access to site and location of trees and work zones 
Determine type, extent and limit of pruning work in accordance with specifications, scope of works and client brief 
Undertake a site-specific job safety analysis (JSA) and record and implement site-specific control measures 
Communicate with work team using agreed methods according to works undertaken and site and environmental conditions 
Select tools and equipment for pruning work 
Consider access and impact of selected pruning tools and equipment on tree 
Carry out pre-operational and safety checks on pruning tools and equipment 
Select, check and use personal protective equipment 
Disinfect pruning equipment during tree work according to hygiene and biosecurity procedures and tree assessment outcomes 
Implement workplace health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures according to JSA 
Investigate tree canopy shape, structure and defects to determine pruning plan 
Assess tree structure for stem co-dominance and branch attachment to determine options for pruning cut procedure 
Identify tree part requiring removal and select pruning procedure and location of cut from identified pruning cut options 
Prepare pruning equipment to ensure cuts are clean 
Use pruning tools to make pruning cuts according to industry standards and manufacturer operating instructions 
Make cuts from a secure body position with awareness of extant tree hazards 
Maintain awareness of power line proximity, safe approach distances and clearances 
Select pruning cuts for crown maintenance or crown modification according to scope of works 
Perform pre-cutting techniques to avoid splitting or tearing of the stem and bark 
Perform final cut according to the principles of compartmentalisation of decay in trees (CODIT) and current industry standards 
Ensure bark at edge of all pruning cuts remains firmly attached 
Review previous pruning cuts to determine tree response to pruning activities 
Assess tree response to previous pruning methods and compare with current work practice 
Seek advice from consulting arborists on quality of current pruning work practice 
Identify substandard current pruning cuts and rectify according to advice 
Drop or lower pruned material into designated drop zone 
Clean, maintain and store tools and equipment 
Collect and dispose of pruned material according to environmental procedures 
Maintain pruning records according to workplace procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCARB316 - Perform pruning operations
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AHCARB316 - Perform pruning operations

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: