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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below. Add any 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.

OHS requirements are to be in accordance with Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures. Requirements may include:
the use of 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 legislation from all levels of government that affect organisational operation. Requirements 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, ethical standards, recording and reporting, access and equity principles and practices, equipment use, maintenance and storage, environmental management (waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)

Work plan
is to include instructions for the trimming and despatch of felled branches from the work site and may include type, size, length, quantity and grade

Appropriate personnel
may include supervisors, suppliers, clients, colleagues and managers

Trees
may include native species, imported species, plantation and non plantation trees

Trimming
is to include trimming off branches, burls and other small growths at a height requiring the use of a pole saw

Equipment
may include pole saws, specific safety attire and maintenance tools and equipment
is to include procedures for pole saw lock-out, ie protecting operators and co-workers from accidental injury by isolating the machine

Pre start-up checks
are conducted to ensure equipment has been set up correctly, the systems are performing accurately and operating to optimum performance

Communication
may include verbal and non-verbal language, constructive feedback, active listening, questioning to clarify and confirm understanding, use of positive, confident and cooperative language, use of language and concepts appropriate to individual social and cultural differences, control of tone of voice and body language

Environmental conditions
may include ground growth, ground slope, ground hazards and obstacles

Tree conditions
may include the location and stability of the tree in determining safety for trimming conditions

Pole saw
is to include a pole saw, a mechanised saw at the end of a long extension pole from the bottom of the pole. Pole saws are also available as manual, non-mechanised saws

Splitting
may include the result of the branch tearing away part of the tree bark beneath the branch once the branch releases from the result of cutting

Records and reports
may include tree type, size, length, diameter, inspection, grading and labelling outcomes, storage locations, quality outcomes, hazards, incidents or equipment malfunctions
may be manual, using a computer-based system or another appropriate organisational communication system

Chain
is to include the fast moving component surrounding the pole saw blade containing many linked teeth

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 safely and efficiently trim trees within organisational requirements

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Comply with applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice, including OHS, environmental and organisational policies and procedures, relevant to operating a pole saw
Comply with applicable licensing or certification requirements
Communicate effectively and work safely with others in the work area
Efficiently trim trees in accordance with the work plan and within prescribed organisational tolerances
Effectively conduct operator maintenance on a pole saw

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 trimming trees
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 key competencies
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

The seven key competencies represent generic skills considered necessary for effective participation by an individual in the workplacePerformance Level 1 at this level, the candidate is required to undertake tasks effectivelyPerformance Level 2 at this level, the candidate is required to manage tasksPerformance Level 3 at this level, the candidate is required to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks
Communicating ideas and information
By communicating in simple language to confirm work requirements, convey information and requests to colleagues, and report and record outcomes for trimming trees (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By collecting, organising and understanding information required to undertake trimming trees (2)

Planning and organising activities
By organising work activities in the correct sequence for trimming trees to be completed within the designated timeframes (2)

Working with others and in teams
By using effective communication and interpersonal techniques with colleagues and others to maximise confidence, satisfaction and productivity during the process of trimming trees (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By calculating time to complete tasks and estimating tools, equipment and material requirements including height estimation (1)

Solving problems
By establishing safe and effective processes for trimming trees which anticipate likely problems to avoid wastage and downtime (2)

Using technology
By selecting and using pole saws to cut material to trim trees (2)