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Evidence Guide: AHCARB317 - Dismantle trees

Student: __________________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Tips for gathering evidence to demonstrate your skills

The important thing to remember when gathering evidence is that the more evidence the better - that is, the more evidence you gather to demonstrate your skills, the more confident an assessor can be that you have learned the skills not just at one point in time, but are continuing to apply and develop those skills (as opposed to just learning for the test!). Furthermore, one piece of evidence that you collect will not usualy demonstrate all the required criteria for a unit of competency, whereas multiple overlapping pieces of evidence will usually do the trick!

From the Wiki University

 

AHCARB317 - Dismantle trees

What evidence can you provide to prove your understanding of each of the following citeria?

Prepare for tree removal

  1. Determine access to site and confirm approval for works to commence
  2. Confirm site preparations, including notification of stakeholders
  3. Undertake a site-specific job safety analysis (JSA), and record and implement site-specific control measures according to workplace safety procedures
  4. Inspect tree to identify structural defects and appropriate removal methods
  5. Determine a dismantling strategy identifying potential drop or lowering zones and providing safety zones for load, tools and equipment
  6. Review dismantling strategy with work crew and adjust according to feedback
  7. Protect property and vegetation assets in the work zone from potential damage
  8. Confirm availability of emergency response resources and safety procedures
  9. Select and prepare tools, equipment and machinery and conduct pre-operation and safety checks
  10. Select, check and use personal protective equipment
Determine access to site and confirm approval for works to commence

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Confirm site preparations, including notification of stakeholders

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Undertake a site-specific job safety analysis (JSA), and record and implement site-specific control measures according to workplace safety procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspect tree to identify structural defects and appropriate removal methods

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Determine a dismantling strategy identifying potential drop or lowering zones and providing safety zones for load, tools and equipment

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review dismantling strategy with work crew and adjust according to feedback

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protect property and vegetation assets in the work zone from potential damage

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Confirm availability of emergency response resources and safety procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select and prepare tools, equipment and machinery and conduct pre-operation and safety checks

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select, check and use personal protective equipment

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Design and prepare rigging system

  1. Design rigging system according to dismantling strategy
  2. Select appropriate anchor and attachment points
  3. Estimate force applied to tree structure and to rigging equipment during planned rigging operations
  4. Design rigging system to allow for load, impact of force and structural integrity of tree
  5. Consider breaking strength, working load limits and safety factor of equipment in use
  6. Discuss and confirm rigging system with work team
  7. Select rigging equipment, inspect for defects, and repair, replace or remove from service damaged components according to workplace safety procedures
  8. Assemble and configure rigging equipment into selected rigging system and install at anchor point
Design rigging system according to dismantling strategy

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select appropriate anchor and attachment points

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimate force applied to tree structure and to rigging equipment during planned rigging operations

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Design rigging system to allow for load, impact of force and structural integrity of tree

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consider breaking strength, working load limits and safety factor of equipment in use

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discuss and confirm rigging system with work team

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select rigging equipment, inspect for defects, and repair, replace or remove from service damaged components according to workplace safety procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assemble and configure rigging equipment into selected rigging system and install at anchor point

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Implement dismantling of trees

  1. Coordinate and sequence work with work team during operations using communication methods agreed with work team for site environment
  2. Access tree crown safely according to dismantling strategy and workplace safety procedures
  3. Select and apply rigging or dismantling techniques in correct sequence to dismantle tree according to determined dismantling strategy
  4. Plan each cut and install rigging equipment according to rigging system design and manufacturer instructions
  5. Check rigging assembly is correctly installed and safe to use prior to performing cut
  6. Accurately apply a selection of cuts to achieve directional felling and controlled rigging and dismantling of the tree crown and trunk
  7. Perform cuts from a safe and secure work position using industry standard cutting techniques
  8. Monitor and adjust dismantling process as required to maintain a safe and efficient workflow
  9. Dismantle tree by sections into drop zone according to industry standards
Coordinate and sequence work with work team during operations using communication methods agreed with work team for site environment

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Access tree crown safely according to dismantling strategy and workplace safety procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select and apply rigging or dismantling techniques in correct sequence to dismantle tree according to determined dismantling strategy

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan each cut and install rigging equipment according to rigging system design and manufacturer instructions

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check rigging assembly is correctly installed and safe to use prior to performing cut

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accurately apply a selection of cuts to achieve directional felling and controlled rigging and dismantling of the tree crown and trunk

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perform cuts from a safe and secure work position using industry standard cutting techniques

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monitor and adjust dismantling process as required to maintain a safe and efficient workflow

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dismantle tree by sections into drop zone according to industry standards

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Complete tree removal activities

  1. Clean, check, maintain and store tools and equipment according to workplace procedures
  2. Maintain records according to workplace procedures
  3. Report completion of tree removal to stakeholder
Clean, check, maintain and store tools and equipment according to workplace procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintain records according to workplace procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Report completion of tree removal to stakeholder

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessed

Teacher: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions to Assessors

Required Skills and Knowledge

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

There must be evidence that the individual has completely dismantled at least 2 trees in close proximity to structures or other assets. For each tree, the individual must have planned, communicated, prepared, conducted and completed each step of the dismantling process in the correct sequence within a timeframe expected by industry.

Each tree must be a minimum of 15 metres in height and have a minimum canopy spread of 10 metres. There must be a drop zone of no more than 4 square metres available with no access within the remaining drip line of the tree representing structures or other assets to be protected.

There must also be evidence that for each tree the individual has:

controlled the process from start to finish

devised a plan, communicated the plan and executed the plan

selected and implemented an appropriate rigging strategy and sequence including:

balancing and lifting of lateral branches

negative rigging of timber and heads

dismantled the tree safely and without damage to assets including:

selected appropriate tree components and attached rope correctly

made accurate and appropriate cuts from safe working positions

maintained constant communication with work team

There must also be evidence that the individual has:

identified workplace health, safety and environmental hazard and risks and implemented controls for the site, including:

conducted and completed a job safety analysis (JSA) or safe work method statement (SWMS)

prepared and used personal protective equipment

protected site and environmental assets

controlled vehicular and foot traffic, including erected signage, barriers, and warning devices

identified above and below ground services

identified site and tree hazards and risks, and adjusted work method or implemented control measures

assessed size, characteristics and defects of tree and determined dismantling strategy

confirmed access to emergency response resources and procedures

selected, prepared, checked and used tools and equipment for rigging and dismantling work, including:

identified working load limits of equipment components

configured compatible equipment components into appropriate rigging systems

identified force that will be applied to components in configured system during planned rigging operations

estimated mass of load and ensured force applied during rigging operations did not exceed working load limit of equipment

adjusted rigging systems as required to limit force applied to rigging system and tree structure

cleaned, inspected, maintained and stored tools and equipment according to workplace procedures

installed rigging equipment to industry standards including selected and tied the following knots:

bowline

bowline on a bight

clove hitch and two half hitches

cows hitch

Flemish bend

girth hitch

half hitch pre knot

marlinspike hitch

round turn and two half hitches

rolling hitch

running bowline

sheet bend

slippery sheet bend

timber hitch

twin bowline bend

zeppelin bend

used at least one of the following methods to safely access the tree according to dismantling method and strategy:

climbing technique

elevated work platform (EWP)

dismantled trees using rigging techniques to ensure no damage to assets, using all of the following methods:

cut and drop into designated drop zone

cut and lower using rigging and devices

step cut, hold and throw

directional felling techniques

tip lowering, butt lowering, lifting and balancing

negative rigging techniques for leaders and vertical timber

the use of multiple anchor points

floating anchor rigging (simple floating anchor or highline)

running anchor rigging ('cradle' rigging or speed line)

made accurate cuts according to industry standards, including:

making cuts from a safe and secure work position

selecting appropriate cuts for the desired outcome

accurately cutting scarfs, step cuts and back cuts.

All tree dismantling 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:

anatomy and physiology of tree species and tree removal strategies

weather conditions and impact on planning and dismantling procedures, including the effect of wind direction and speed

site and tree hazards that might be encountered, including:

identification and evaluation of structural defects in trees

above and below ground services and effect on tree removal procedures

selection of tree removal methods for trees in close proximity to structures and other assets

methods for accessing trees for dismantling, including:

climbing techniques

elevated work platform (EWP) for tree removal

handling and using ropes for rigging and dismantling trees, including:

selecting, tying, dressing, setting and finishing arborist knots for rigging and dismantling trees

common problems and hazards with rigging and their potential consequences and solutions

dismantling techniques, including:

cut and drop

cut and lower

step cuts

directional felling

rigging techniques, including:

butt lowering, tip lowering and balancing

negative rigging techniques for leaders and trunk sections

floating anchor techniques (highlines and floating anchors)

running anchor techniques (cradle rigging and speed lines)

applying friction at the point of cut

rigging equipment selection configuration and use for tree dismantling work, including:

friction devices

pulleys, blocks, connectors and other hardware

dead-eye slings, loopie slings and whoopie slings

ropes for rigging and dismantling (tag or pulling lines)

configuration of equipment into rigging systems

impact of force, breaking strength, safety factors and cycles to failure

safe working limits on rigging and lowering equipment

calculation and estimation of tree dimensions and forces in rigging, including:

density of tree sections

methods of estimating mass of tree sections

estimation of force magnitude and direction applied during rigging operations

tree structural limitations and defects and impact on rigging and dismantling operations

ensuring force applied does not exceed working load limit of equipment components

mass dampening effect of rigging systems

methods of minimising environmental impact

preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) relating to dismantling of trees

legislation, regulations and local government laws governing tree removal, including:

permits and approvals

stakeholder notifications

site safety controls, including:

first aid and rescue personnel

equipment and procedures applicable to tree work

barriers and traffic control

signage and warning devices

responsibility for protecting property and assets in work areas and methods to prevent damage

considerations in developing a tree dismantling process, including:

drop zones

lowering zones

locating tools and equipment

communication requirements for tree dismantling work, including:

communicating with clients, residents and authorities

communicating with team members

coordinating and scheduling work teams

effective communication strategies during tree removal work, including the impact of:

noise

environmental conditions

communications resources

visibility

tools, equipment and resources required for dismantling trees, including:

safe use and operation

care and maintenance

cleaning and storing

inspecting equipment for signs of defects, including:

defective ropes and equipment

legal responsibility for maintaining equipment

tagging, replacing and reporting defective equipment

workplace record keeping and reporting procedures.