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

AHCARB406 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Verify pruning specifications

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCARB406 - Verify pruning specifications
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to verify specifications for pruning against tree conditions and national industry standards.The unit applies to individuals who work in arboriculture and apply specialist skills to provide solutions to technical and unpredictable problems. They work autonomously, instruct and monitor the work of others within a team. They use discretion and judgment in the selection, allocation and use of available resources.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:

nine different trees stipulated in the performance evidence

resources, equipment and materials:

computer for accessing information and documenting outcomes

specifications:

client or arborist specifications for pruning as stipulated in the performance evidence

workplace procedures and instructions, related to pruning operations

preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) relating to tree pruning operations, including AS4373

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: Locate and verify tree and site characteristics
  • Confirm trees to be pruned and desired outcomes for pruning works according to client brief and arborist specifications
  • Undertake a site-specific job safety analysis (JSA) and record and implement control measures according to workplace safety procedures
  • Confirm identified tree species and location according to workplace and botanical standards
  • Determine dimensions of tree and record characteristics according to workplace requirements
       
Element: Inspect tree and determine pruning specifications
  • Inspect and assess condition and growing environment for trees identified in client brief and specifications
  • Determine planned pruning operations required for canopy modification or canopy maintenance according to industry standards
  • Determine tree care requirements to compensate for planned pruning operations
  • Identify and select biosecurity procedures for planned pruning operations
       
Element: Confirm and validate pruning operations
  • Review client brief and arborist specifications against tree inspections and planned pruning operations
  • Confirm pruning operations comply with client brief and arborist specifications
  • Verify planned pruning operations for compliance with industry standards
       
Element: Confirm pruning works with client and work team
  • Document planned pruning operations according to workplace procedures
  • Confirm and clarify pruning operations plan with client and arborist
  • Prepare specifications and contract for pruning works and submit to client for approval according to workplace procedures and industry standards
  • Provide specification of pruning operations to work crew for implementation
       
Element: Maintain records of pruning works
  • Assess pruning works performed against pruning specifications
  • Implement remedial action where anomalies are identified
  • Review works with work crew and document improvements for future works
  • Record results of completed works and report to client 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 verified pruning specifications on at least nine trees for three different classes of pruning, with no more than one pruning class per tree, including:

confirmed and identified tree species to be pruned and its size and characteristics

assessed and documented site safety and implemented controls

assessed the tree to be pruned for condition and growing environment and determined planned pruning operations and compensatory tree care

reviewed and confirmed planned pruning operations complied with client brief, arborist specifications and industry standards

documented planned pruning operations and confirmed with client and arborist

prepared pruning specification and contract for approvals and provided specifications to work team

assessed completed pruning works against specifications and implemented remedial action for non-compliance

reviewed pruning operations and documented future improvements

maintained records.

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, site and environment, including:

preparing job safety analysis and safe work method statements for site-specific risks

personal protective equipment used when climbing

safety and procedures when working near overhead power lines

specifications and Australian Standard AS4373 for crown maintenance, including:

dead wooding

crown thinning

selective pruning

formative pruning

specifications and Australian Standard AS4373 for crown modification, including:

reduction pruning

crown lifting

pollarding

remedial or restorative pruning

utilities line clearing

current national recognised industry standards relating to tree pruning operations

tree species identification standards, including:

botanical nomenclature

common names

characteristics of trees and pruning operations, including:

approximating height and canopy size and spread

trunk dimensions as diameter-at-breast-height (DBH)

estimating total crown foliage

the location and distribution of branches

estimating extent of pruning as a percentage of canopy

specification of key reference points within a tree

tree’s health, growth habit, structure, stability and growing environment

post-pruning tree care, including:

impacts arising from pruning of live tissue

compensatory tree care activities

minimising transmission of diseases with pruning equipment and materials, including:

biosecurity requirements

basic principles of hygiene when maintaining tools and equipment

pruning procedures and methods, including:

maximum and average diameter of live branches

minimum clearance distances

branch pattern

direction of branch growth by selecting north, south, east or west

approximation of branch collar diameter

location of pruning point

crown maintenance and modifications and pruning cut options, including:

stem co-dominance

stem bark ridge

old cuts

dead branches

occluded and occluding branches

basics of contracts and their purpose in arboriculture work, including:

client communication strategies

verbal contracts

documented contracts

legal requirements

importance of gaining regulatory approvals

specifying and documenting pruning work requirements

record keeping and reporting procedures when verifying pruning specifications.

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
Confirm trees to be pruned and desired outcomes for pruning works according to client brief and arborist specifications 
Undertake a site-specific job safety analysis (JSA) and record and implement control measures according to workplace safety procedures 
Confirm identified tree species and location according to workplace and botanical standards 
Determine dimensions of tree and record characteristics according to workplace requirements 
Inspect and assess condition and growing environment for trees identified in client brief and specifications 
Determine planned pruning operations required for canopy modification or canopy maintenance according to industry standards 
Determine tree care requirements to compensate for planned pruning operations 
Identify and select biosecurity procedures for planned pruning operations 
Review client brief and arborist specifications against tree inspections and planned pruning operations 
Confirm pruning operations comply with client brief and arborist specifications 
Verify planned pruning operations for compliance with industry standards 
Document planned pruning operations according to workplace procedures 
Confirm and clarify pruning operations plan with client and arborist 
Prepare specifications and contract for pruning works and submit to client for approval according to workplace procedures and industry standards 
Provide specification of pruning operations to work crew for implementation 
Assess pruning works performed against pruning specifications 
Implement remedial action where anomalies are identified 
Review works with work crew and document improvements for future works 
Record results of completed works and report to client according to workplace procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCARB406 - Verify pruning specifications
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

AHCARB406 - Verify pruning specifications

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: