Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to operate motorised stump grinding machines to safely remove tree stumps.
The unit applies to individuals who operate stump grinders in a broad range of arboriculture contexts who undertake defined routine activities under supervision. They exercise limited autonomy within established and well known parameters, providing solutions to a limited range of predictable problems.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
1. Prepare for stump removal operations | 1.1 Confirm work instructions and stumps to be removed with supervisor 1.2 Assess the size and scale of stump grinding works 1.3 Identify and confirm location and depth of above and below ground services with supervisor 1.4 Confirm workplace health and safety hazards and controls from job safety analysis (JSA) with supervisor 1.5 Confirm availability of first aid and emergency personnel, equipment and procedures 1.6 Unload stump grinder from transport vehicle according to workplace and safety procedures |
2. Carry out stump grinder pre-operational and safety checks | 2.1 Check maintenance log for outstanding performance issues, and report incomplete maintenance to supervisor 2.2 Conduct pre-start checks on stump grinder according to manufacturer instructions 2.3 Check fluid levels and fill to manufacturer specifications 2.4 Check safety guards are secure and in place 2.5 Check safety switches are functioning correctly 2.6 Check debris curtain is in working order according to manufacturer instructions |
3. Complete preparations for work | 3.1 Select, check and use personal protective equipment 3.2 Assess stump and surrounds for impediments to grinding operations 3.3 Implement workplace health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures |
4. Operate stump grinder | 4.1 Plan the grinding operation and position grinder according to site conditions and operator instructions 4.2 Implement stump grinder start-up procedure 4.3 Operate stump grinder to grind stump according to manufacturer and operator instructions 4.4 Monitor cutting operation and adjust cutting rate and depth according to manufacturer and supervisor instructions 4.5 Undertake corrective action when stump grinder performance or safe operation has been compromised 4.6 Implement shutdown procedures following stump removal |
5. Complete stump grinding operations | 5.1 Dispose of waste according to work instructions and environmental procedures 5.2 Clean stump grinder and equipment according to workplace and biosecurity procedures 5.3 Perform operator maintenance according to manufacturer instructions 5.4 Report and record stump grinder usage, maintenance and repair requirements according to repair and maintenance procedures 5.5 Load and secure stump grinder onto transport vehicle according to workplace and safety procedures, and regulatory requirements 5.6 Maintain records and report stump grinding outcomes according to workplace procedures |
Evidence of Performance
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.
Evidence of Knowledge
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.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:
physical conditions:
access to stumps ready for grinding
resources, equipment and materials:
stump grinder
tooth sharpening equipment
tools and equipment for conducting basic maintenance practices
cutter teeth
fuel and spill kit
personal protective equipment
first aid, emergency and traffic management kit
specifications:
workplace procedures for stump grinding
manufacturer instructions for safe operation, cleaning and storage of stump grinding equipment
arboriculture hygiene and biosecurity standards.
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.
Foundation Skills
Skill | Description |
Reading | Interpret textual information from maintenance logs, operating instructions and policies to identify relevant and key information for preparing and operating machinery safely |
Writing | Complete stump grinder operation records using clear language and industry terminology to ensure clarity of meaning |
Numeracy | Perform basic calculations to determine fuel mixtures and machine fluid level and volumes |
Sectors
Arboriculture (ARB)