Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to undertake tree salvaging following forest fires, in line with a salvage plan that incorporates effective environmental procedures and sustainability principles.
The unit applies to Forestry Worker, Harvesting Technician, Mobile Equipment Operator.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions. |
1. Identify environmental care requirements | 1.1 Review work order and environmental care requirements. 1.2 Identify and report existing and potential environmental risks and hazards to relevant personnel |
2. Prepare for fire salvage operations | 2.1 Review and confirm schedule for salvaging. 2.2 Identify and confirm preliminary site work and operational activities. 2.3 Assess tree location and stability for conditions likely to effect safety and merchandising priorities. 2.4 Select equipment appropriate to work and environmental care requirements in line with workplace procedures. 2.5 Check equipment for operational effectiveness in line with manufacturer's specifications. 2.6 Confirm planning permits and access permission. |
3. Perform fire salvage operations | 3.1 Establish and maintain communication with others on site to ensure safety. 3.2 Monitor movement and whereabouts of others on site. 3.3 Undertake pre-harvesting environmental care requirements. 3.4 Salvage designated trees in line with salvage plan. 3.5 Disperse or handle heads and non-merchantable stems in line with work order. 3.6 Haul logs to logs landings and ensure landscape is left in safe condition suitable for regeneration. |
4. Complete documentation | 4.1 Tally and record product volumes from salvage site. 4.2 Report variations in line with workplace procedures. 4.3 Record and report operations and environmental care procedures in line with workplace procedures. 4.4 Report breaches or potential breaches of relevant environmental regulations. |
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit.
safely and efficiently use environmental care procedures to undertake fire salvage operations
follow regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to fire salvage operations
follow organisational policies and procedures relevant to environmental care requirements
assess, prepare for and carry out a fire salvage operation requirements
use safe work practices
safely use plant and equipment associated with fire salvage operations, including:
harvesting plant and equipment
chainsaw harvesting techniques
record and report all information and data related to the fire salvage operation.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
workplace regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices for using environmental care procedures to undertake fire salvage operations including:
any activities and directives prescribed under legislation or required for standard certification requirements or as a management priority including:
soil erosion mitigation
track, road, drainage and crossing maintenance
weed management
rehabilitation prescriptions
watercourse protection
flora and fauna management
run-off minimisation
buffer zone and filter strip maintenance
protection of remnant habitat
identification of cultural sites
organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for using environmental care procedures to undertake fire salvage operations including any of the above.
principles of ecological sustainability as they pertain to the specific forest type, landscape and fire regime to which the coupe or forest is exposed
characteristics of trees and timber defects
assessment of fire damaged trees, including for stability and:
whether or not it is safe to leave standing
its merchantability
how it should be felled
fire salvage operations and strategies
harvesting and extraction methods
established communication channels and protocols including notification to authorities
problem identification and resolution strategies in relation to plant and equipment used in salvage operations
procedures for recording and reporting workplace information.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
fire salvage site
harvesting plant and equipment
workplace requirements and site standards for using environmental care procedures to undertake fire salvage operations.
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessor requirements
Assessors must:
hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and
be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and
be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those core and employment skills that are essential to performance and are not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Numeracy skills to: | navigate using GPS systems read topographic maps to interpret site conditions. |
Oral communication skills to: | use standard VHF&UHF radios for communication. |
Writing skills to: | accurately record and maintain workplace documentation. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Forest Growing and Management
Harvesting and Haulage