Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:41 PM AWST

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Harvest trees manually (advanced)

Harvest trees manually (advanced)

Unit of competency
National Code
FWPHAR3221
State Code
AXK24
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
21/02/2018
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
120
Description
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to assess harvest sites and trees to be harvested and to plan and safely harvest trees using a chainsaw. This unit covers the felling procedures for trees with a level of complexity that requires significant tree assessment and advanced practical felling skills.Persons competent in this unit should be able to effectively fell trees of any size, species and condition, including those with significant defects and characteristics that cause excessive felling complexity, that are deemed safe to fell. Trees typical to the scope of this unit including the following characteristics:lean and weight distribution which adds significant complexity yet can be assessed and adapted to site requirementslarger dimensions relative to local forest size distributionsubstantial leandamage and/or defect that requires complex felling techniquesmulti legged, hollow butts, culls, stagsspecies prone to free splitting and adverse reactions during fallingsingle or complex multi stemsdiameter of tree greater than chainsaw bar lengthgrown on terrain and slope that can add significant complexity to the operationThe unit applies to those 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. Prepare for felling
  • 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 and harvest plan according to relevant legislation and regulations
  • 1.3 Review and check job requirements with appropriate personnel
  • 1.4 Select tools and equipment appropriate to work requirements and check for operational effectiveness according to manufacturer recommendations
  • 1.5 Sharpen and adjust chainsaw or change components according to manufacturer recommendations
  • 1.6 Assess tree and determine felling requirements
  • 1.7 Identify and control potential and existing risks and hazards in the work area
  • 1.8 Identify trees to be felled and retained and establish general falling direction
  • 1.9 Identify log extraction method and requirements
  • 1.10 Determine requirements for product quality
  • 1.11 Establish and maintain communication with others according to WHS requirements
2. Assess conditions and surroundings
  • 2.1 Identify and comply with site environmental concerns according to relevant federal, state or territory legislation and local regulations
  • 2.2 Identify and assess environmental conditions according to harvesting plan
  • 2.3 Assess general factors affecting felling requirements and detect and control specific forest or site risks and hazards
3. Assess tree and plan felling
  • 3.1 Locate and visually assess tree for felling characteristics
  • 3.2 Confirm tree is safe to fell
  • 3.3 Assess and check required falling direction and possible deviation
  • 3.4 Plan sequence of cuts to fell tree according to standard felling procedures and log quality requirements
  • 3.5 Select suitable escape route and clear of growth and other obstacles according to environmental care principles and statutory 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 Note and monitor location and activity of other personnel in the work area and modify activity where required
4. Fell trees of any size, species and condition
  • 4.1 Fell individual trees using planned cutting techniques according to site conditions, extraction method and at a safe distance from other personnel in the work area
  • 4.2 Adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of tree
  • 4.3 Use planned escape route when tree starts to fall and monitor the fall and movement of tree on ground until determined stable
  • 4.4 Delay movement back into the felling area until all tree material, including from adjacent tree crowns, has fallen, and identify any dangerous tree branches that hang-up
  • 4.5 Identify and implement procedures for removal of trees that are hung-up
  • 4.6 Fell trees to meet production levels, log extraction methods and site requirements
  • 4.7 Dispose of waste materials in line with environmental and operational requirements
5. Maintain equipment
  • 5.1 Detect, rectify and report blunt or damaged saw chain according to workplace procedures
  • 5.2 Monitor chainsaw for operational effectiveness and record and report faults, malfunctions and problems according to workplace procedures
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
WF829 FPIHAR3221 Harvest trees manually (advanced) Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OCR43 FWPHAR3209 Harvest trees manually (advanced) Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
BAL0 FWP30216 Certificate III in Harvesting and Haulage Qualification