Elements and Performance Criteria

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

OHS requirements:
are to be in accordance with applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:
personal protective equipment and clothing
safety equipment
first aid equipment
fire fighting equipment
hazard and risk control
elimination of hazardous materials and substances
safe forest practices including required actions relating to forest fire
manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying

Legislative requirements:
are to be in accordance with applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice and may include:
award and enterprise agreements
industrial relations
Australian Standards
confidentiality and privacy
OHS
the environment
equal opportunity
anti-discrimination
relevant industry codes of practice
duty of care
heritage and traditional land owner issues

Organisational requirements may include:
legal
organisational and site guidelines
policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility
quality assurance
procedural manuals
quality and continuous improvement processes and standards
OHS, emergency and evacuation procedures
ethical standards
recording and reporting requirements
equipment use and maintenance and storage requirements
environmental management requirements (waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)

Forwarders
may be wheeled or half track and attachments may include blades

Environmental protection measures
may include action to limit the impact to:
ground growth and canopy
soil and water
may include action to limit the impact of:
general forest lean
wind speed and direction
fallen trees
density of trees
ground slope
ground hazards
obstacles

Work order is to include:
instructions for the operation of a forwarder and its respective tasks including logs to be handled. Information may also be included of log placement and access requirements, loading regulations and site operating plans

Appropriate personnel may include:
supervisors
suppliers
clients
colleagues
managers

Safe working conditions
requires ensuring minimal equipment and log movement during forwarder operations
control of risks and hazards

Environmental and heritage concerns may include:
dust
noise
water
flora and fauna
heritage legislation
culturally sensitive sights and artefacts
plantations
native forest

Communication may include:
verbal and non-verbal language
hand or other agreed signals
eye contact with other operators or personnel
active listening
questioning to clarify and confirm understanding
use of electronic communication devices

Pre start-up checks
are specified by the manufacturer prior to operating the equipment and may include:
visual and audio warning devices and lights
engine and stop engine lights
fluid levels
cab display instrumentation and gauges and on-board computer systems
checks relating to start-up, park and shutdown procedures may involve:
safety mechanisms
operational (horn, operating lights)
correct location of equipment
vehicle security

Functions must include:
segregating, stacking, loading, transporting and unloading of logs and,
may include loading and unloading of other materials

Hazards may include:
uneven/unstable terrain
trees
fires
overhead and underground services
bridges
buildings
excavations
traffic
embankment
cuttings
structures and hazardous materials

Capacities of equipment may include:
efficient and safe operating speed
duration of operation
type of activities performed
weight and/or load limitations
operating limitations

Site conditions may include:
wet, dry
day, night
stability of ground
broken round
slope of working surface
location of water table

Emergency plan may include:
notification of authorities
evacuation procedures
isolation procedures
equipment shut-down procedures
clean up
first aid
use of personal protective equipment
guarding

Logs
handled may cover :
the full range of species, size
conditions to be encountered in local harvesting operations,
softwood or hardwood

Maintenance
of log stacks includes providing for:
anticipated stock levels
stock rotation requirements
size
segregation of lengths, species and grades

Visual assessment
of logs includes identifying and determining:
species
diameter
length
grade
landing layout
stock rotation requirements

Estimation
of log weight is used to determine lifting requirements and compliance to load plate

Lifting
may be conducted on a trial basis when an issue with load size or stability or other unacceptable operational situation is determined

Placement
of slipper or chocks are made as required to support or compress logs

Visual inspection and fault finding may include:
vehicle number
danger tags
personnel proximity
tyres and rim condition
wheel nuts and studs
light positioning and cleanliness
radiator top up tank
oil leaks, fuel leaks, water leaks
no combustible material around exhaust
damage to equipment
portable fire extinguisher
fire suppression system
cab mounts
windows
engine oil to be checked before starting engine
grease lines
cab condition

Routine operational servicing may include:
checking fluid levels
greasing
tightening loose fittings
filter changing

Cleaning
methods may include:
water
steam
degreasing
vacuum
forced air

Records and reports may include:
end of shift documentation
work log
supplies
log
computer readings and;
may be compiled using a computer-based system or other appropriate organisational communication system

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can conduct forwarder operations

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 Commonwealth, State or Territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to conducting forwarder operations
compliance with organisational policies and procedures relevant to conducting forwarder operations
communicating effectively and working safely with others in the work area
planning, preparing and efficiently conducting forwarder operations including segregating and stacking logs, and loading, transporting and unloading logs in accordance with site requirements
carrying out authorised operator maintenance

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or 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 or Australian Standards requirements

The following resources should be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace
materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this unit
specifications and work instructions

Method of assessment
Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI05 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 and correctly 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