Harvest trees manually (intermediate)

Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:38 PM 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.

Unit of competency

National Code
FWPHAR3220

State Code
AXK25

TGA Status
Replaced

DTWD Status
Replaced

Current Release Number
1.00

Current Release Date
13/05/2016

View on TGA

State Implementation and Classification

Approved Date

05/10/2016

Field of Education

050501 - Forestry Studies

Original Release Date

05/10/2016

Nominal Hours

100

Description

This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to assess harvest sites and trees to be harvested and to plan and safely carry out manual tree-felling operations using a chainsaw.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 except very large trees, and/or those with significant defects and/or characteristics that cause excessive complexity. It applies to trees that have a diameter greater than the bar length of the chainsaw.Trees typical to the scope of this unit 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-woodvarious dimensions relative to local forest size distributionlimited visible damage and/or defectspecies prone to free splitting and adverse reactions during fellingsingle or multi-stemsdiameter of tree greater than chainsaw bar lengthgrown on terrain and slope that can add complexity to the operationThe unit applies to felling trees in a commercial harvesting operation within a forest environment, producing forest products. Licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit in some states & territories at the time of publication, and may differ according to jurisdiction

Notes

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Determine harvesting requirements

1.1 Identify and comply with applicable work health and safety (WHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to harvesting trees
1.2 Identify and adhere to site environmental protection measures according to harvesting plan and relevant legislation and regulations
1.3 Review job requirements and check 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 WHS 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

3. Visually assess trees and plan felling

3.1 Assess factors affecting harvesting requirements and detect and control specific forest or site risks and hazards
3.2 Confirm tree is safe to fell
3.3 Check planned falling direction and propose deviation if required
3.4 Select cutting pattern to optimise time and manageable removal of sections
3.5 Plan sequence of cuts to fell tree according to standard felling procedures and log quality requirements
3.6 Assess limitations of own skills in safely felling trees, identify trees considered outside own skill level and seek assistance from appropriate personnel where required
3.7 Select suitable escape route and clear of growth and other obstacles according to environmental care principles and statutory requirements
3.8 Note and monitor location and activity of other personnel in the work area and modify activity where required

4. Prepare equipment

4.1 Select tools and equipment appropriate to work requirements and check for operational effectiveness according to manufacturer recommendations
4.2 Sharpen and adjust chainsaw or change components according to manufacturer recommendations
4.3 Sharpen and adjust chainsaw or change components according to manufacturer recommendations

5. Fell trees

5.1 Fell individual trees using selected cutting techniques according to WHS 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 and monitor the fall and movement of tree on ground until determined stable
5.4 Delay movement back into the felling area until all tree material, including from adjacent tree crowns, has fallen
5.5 Identify and implement procedures for removal of trees that are hung-up
5.6 Fell trees to meet production levels, log extraction methods and site requirements
5.7 Dispose of waste materials in line with environmental and operational requirements

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 WHS requirements and manufacturer recommendations

No information

Replaces

State Code	National Code	Title	Type
WF828	FPIHAR3220	Harvest trees manually (intermediate)	Unit of competency

Replaced By

State Code	National Code	Title	Type
OCR46	FWPHAR3205	Harvest trees manually (intermediate)	Unit of competency

State Code	National Code	Title	Type
BAL0	FWP30216	Certificate III in Harvesting and Haulage	Qualification