Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:27 AM AWST
22/07/2026 7:27 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Harvest trees manually (intermediate)
Harvest trees manually (intermediate)
Unit of competency
National Code
FPIHAR3220
FPIHAR3220
State Code
WF828
WF828
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
04/08/2014
Field of Education
050501 - Forestry Studies
Original Release Date
04/08/2014
Nominal Hours
100
Description
This unit specifies the outcomes required to assess, plan and safely carry out manual tree-felling operations using a chainsaw in a commercial harvesting environment. This unit covers the felling procedures for trees with a level of complexity that requires significant tree assessment and practical felling skills. Persons competent in this unit should be able to effectively fell most trees with the exception of the very large, and those with significant defects and/or characteristics causing excessive complexity. Techniques for trees with a diameter greater than the bar length would generally be regarded as within the scope of this unit.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Determine harvesting requirements
- 1.1 Identify and comply with applicable occupational health and safety (OHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to harvesting trees
- 1.2 Identify and adhere to site environmental protectionmeasures according to harvesting plan and relevant legislation and regulations
- 1.3 Review job requirements and check as required with appropriate personnel
- 1.4 Identify log extraction method and requirements
- 1.5 Identify requirements for product quality
- 1.6 Determine harvesting requirements, and plan tree felling sequence and general falling directions
- 1.7 Establish and maintain communication with others according to OHS requirements
2. Assess harvest site
- 2.1 Assess location and stability of harvest site for conditions likely to affect harvesting activities
- 2.2 Identify and assess environmental conditions according to harvest plan
- 2.3 Identify trees to be felled according to harvest plan
- 2.4 Assess factors affecting harvesting requirements and detect and control specific forest or site risks and hazards
- 2.5 Note and monitor other personnel working on the site and modify activity where required
3. Visually assess trees and plan felling
- 3.1 Locate and visually assess trees for felling characteristics
- 3.2 Check planned falling direction and propose deviation if required
- 3.3 Select cutting pattern to optimise time and manageable removal of sections
- 3.4 Plan sequence of cuts to fell tree according to standard felling procedures and log quality requirements
- 3.5 Identify trees considered outside own skill level and seek assistance from appropriate personnel
- 3.6 Select suitable escape route
- 3.7 Clear work site and escape route of growth and debris according to environmental care principles and statutory requirements
4. Prepare equipment
- 4.1 Select tools and equipment appropriate to work requirements and check them for operational effectiveness according to manufacturer recommendations
- 4.2 Sharpen and adjust chainsaw or change components according to manufacturer recommendations
- 4.3 Carry out pre start-up checks on equipment according to felling requirements
5. Fell trees
- 5.1 Fell individual trees using selected cutting techniques according to OHS and job requirements
- 5.2 Adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of tree
- 5.3 Use planned escape route when tree starts to fall
- 5.4 Monitor fall and movement of tree on ground until determined stable
- 5.5 Fell trees to meet production levels, log extraction methods and site requirements
- 5.6 Identify and implement procedures for removal of trees that are hung-up
6. Maintain equipment
- 6.1 Inspect equipment on completion of harvesting activities
- 6.2 Identify damaged saws and cutting attachments for repair or replacement according to organisational requirements and manufacturer recommendations
- 6.3 Remove, clean, adjust or replace chain and other components according to manufacturer recommendations
- 6.4 Maintain tools and equipment according to OHS requirements and manufacturer recommendations
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
OHS requirements:
are to be in accordance with applicable federal, state or territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:
PPE and clothing
safety equipment
first aid equipment
firefighting equipment
hazard and risk control
fatigue management
appropriate signage
elimination of hazardous materials and substances
safe forest practices, including required actions relating to forest fire
techniques for manual handling, including shifting, lifting and carrying
Legislative requirements:
are to be in accordance with applicable federal, state or territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice and may include:
award and organisational agreements
industrial relations
Australian standards
confidentiality and privacy
OHS
the environment
native vegetation
equal employment opportunity
anti-discrimination
relevant industry codes of practice
duty of care
Organisational requirements may include:
legal compliance documentation
organisational and site guidelines
policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility
procedural manuals
quality and continuous improvement processes and standards
OHS, emergency and evacuation procedures
ethical standards
recording and reporting requirements
equipment use, maintenance and storage requirements
environmental management requirements, including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines
Trees typical to the scope of this unit may include the following characteristics:
lean and weight distribution that can be assessed and readily adapted to falling direction with the use of wedges and/or control with hinge-wood
various dimensions relative to local forest size distribution
limited visible damage and/or defect
species prone to free splitting and adverse reactions during felling
a crown that contains dead or broken material, entanglement or malformation and is visible for assessment and monitoring
single or multi-stems
diameter of tree greater than chainsaw bar length
grown on terrain and slope that can add complexity to the operation
Environmental protection measures may include action to limit the impact to:
native vegetation
soil and water
heritage and archeological artefacts
flora and fauna
geomorphologic features
landscape
external site pollution
recreational opportunities
regeneration opportunities
Harvesting plan:
is a formal document that outlines the operational requirements of the work site, which may include:
extraction plan
traffic plan
environmental requirements
restricted areas
identified hazards
harvesting prescription
product volumes
while site plan document may be named differently between jurisdictions and regions, its common terms may include:
coupe plan
forest practices plan
site or logging plan
Job requirements may include:
information and instructions relevant to tree-felling operations, including:
processing location details
trees to be felled and retained
general environmental requirements
site plan and environmental features
Appropriate personnel may include:
supervisors
clients
colleagues
managers
Log extraction methods may include:
skidding
forwarding
using cable
shovel logging
Requirements for product quality may include:
product specifications
stump shatter
butt splitting
log breakage
stump height
Communication may include:
verbal and non-verbal language
hand or other agreed signals
eye contact with other operators or personnel
active listening and questioning to clarify and confirm understanding
electronic communication devices
Environmental conditions may relate to:
ground growth
canopy
general forest lean
ground slope
ground hazards
wind speed and direction
Hazards may include:
uneven and unstable terrain
unsafe trees
fires
overhead and underground services
excavations
traffic
structures
hazardous materials
insects and animals
other personnel and machinery
Trees considered outside own skill levelinclude:
trees that contain hazards and are deemed unsafe
trees that are considered to be in the advanced category
trees where cuts made may lead to loss of control of tree in felling
Tools and equipment may include:
warning signs
chainsaw and components
PPE and clothing
first aid equipment
maintenance requirements
support tools
Cutting techniques:
will include:
scarf cutting
back cutting to provide hinge-wood and maintain control of tree
and may include:
use of wedges to assist in controlling falling direction
OHS requirements:
are to be in accordance with applicable federal, state or territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:
PPE and clothing
safety equipment
first aid equipment
firefighting equipment
hazard and risk control
fatigue management
appropriate signage
elimination of hazardous materials and substances
safe forest practices, including required actions relating to forest fire
techniques for manual handling, including shifting, lifting and carrying
Legislative requirements:
are to be in accordance with applicable federal, state or territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice and may include:
award and organisational agreements
industrial relations
Australian standards
confidentiality and privacy
OHS
the environment
native vegetation
equal employment opportunity
anti-discrimination
relevant industry codes of practice
duty of care
Organisational requirements may include:
legal compliance documentation
organisational and site guidelines
policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility
procedural manuals
quality and continuous improvement processes and standards
OHS, emergency and evacuation procedures
ethical standards
recording and reporting requirements
equipment use, maintenance and storage requirements
environmental management requirements, including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines
Trees typical to the scope of this unit may include the following characteristics:
lean and weight distribution that can be assessed and readily adapted to falling direction with the use of wedges and/or control with hinge-wood
various dimensions relative to local forest size distribution
limited visible damage and/or defect
species prone to free splitting and adverse reactions during felling
a crown that contains dead or broken material, entanglement or malformation and is visible for assessment and monitoring
single or multi-stems
diameter of tree greater than chainsaw bar length
grown on terrain and slope that can add complexity to the operation
Environmental protection measures may include action to limit the impact to:
native vegetation
soil and water
heritage and archeological artefacts
flora and fauna
geomorphologic features
landscape
external site pollution
recreational opportunities
regeneration opportunities
Harvesting plan:
is a formal document that outlines the operational requirements of the work site, which may include:
extraction plan
traffic plan
environmental requirements
restricted areas
identified hazards
harvesting prescription
product volumes
while site plan document may be named differently between jurisdictions and regions, its common terms may include:
coupe plan
forest practices plan
site or logging plan
Job requirements may include:
information and instructions relevant to tree-felling operations, including:
processing location details
trees to be felled and retained
general environmental requirements
site plan and environmental features
Appropriate personnel may include:
supervisors
clients
colleagues
managers
Log extraction methods may include:
skidding
forwarding
using cable
shovel logging
Requirements for product quality may include:
product specifications
stump shatter
butt splitting
log breakage
stump height
Communication may include:
verbal and non-verbal language
hand or other agreed signals
eye contact with other operators or personnel
active listening and questioning to clarify and confirm understanding
electronic communication devices
Environmental conditions may relate to:
ground growth
canopy
general forest lean
ground slope
ground hazards
wind speed and direction
Hazards may include:
uneven and unstable terrain
unsafe trees
fires
overhead and underground services
excavations
traffic
structures
hazardous materials
insects and animals
other personnel and machinery
Trees considered outside own skill levelinclude:
trees that contain hazards and are deemed unsafe
trees that are considered to be in the advanced category
trees where cuts made may lead to loss of control of tree in felling
Tools and equipment may include:
warning signs
chainsaw and components
PPE and clothing
first aid equipment
maintenance requirements
support tools
Cutting techniques:
will include:
scarf cutting
back cutting to provide hinge-wood and maintain control of tree
and may include:
use of wedges to assist in controlling falling direction
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Overview of assessment
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can assess, plan and safely and efficiently operate chainsaw equipment to manually harvest trees at the intermediate level in a forest environment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements of this unit and include demonstration of:
compliance with applicable federal, state or territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice including OHS, environmental and organisational policies and procedures relevant to harvesting trees at an intermediate level
compliance with licensing or certification requirements relevant to harvesting trees at an intermediate level
communicating and working safely with others in the work area
assessing, planning and safely felling trees without damage to personnel, equipment and surrounding environment
planning felling sequence and preparing surroundings for harvesting operations
preparing, operating and maintaining chainsaw equipment and other felling equipment
applying appropriate extraction methods
applying specifications as outlined in harvesting plan
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a realistically simulated workplace
Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context
Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements and Australian standards
The following resources should be made available:
workplace location or simulated workplace
materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this units
work instructions specific to tree felling
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI11 Training Package
Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge
Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on underpinning knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills
Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access, interpret and apply the essential underpinning knowledge
Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances
Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate
Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English
Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment
Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role
Overview of assessment
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can assess, plan and safely and efficiently operate chainsaw equipment to manually harvest trees at the intermediate level in a forest environment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements of this unit and include demonstration of:
compliance with applicable federal, state or territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice including OHS, environmental and organisational policies and procedures relevant to harvesting trees at an intermediate level
compliance with licensing or certification requirements relevant to harvesting trees at an intermediate level
communicating and working safely with others in the work area
assessing, planning and safely felling trees without damage to personnel, equipment and surrounding environment
planning felling sequence and preparing surroundings for harvesting operations
preparing, operating and maintaining chainsaw equipment and other felling equipment
applying appropriate extraction methods
applying specifications as outlined in harvesting plan
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a realistically simulated workplace
Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context
Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements and Australian standards
The following resources should be made available:
workplace location or simulated workplace
materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this units
work instructions specific to tree felling
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI11 Training Package
Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge
Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on underpinning knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills
Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access, interpret and apply the essential underpinning knowledge
Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances
Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate
Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English
Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment
Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S4699 | FPIHAR3202A | Harvest trees manually (intermediate) | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AXK25 | FWPHAR3220 | Harvest trees manually (intermediate) | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J612 | FPI30213 | Certificate III in Harvesting and Haulage | Qualification |
| J466 | FPI30211 | Certificate III in Harvesting and Haulage | Qualification |