Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:31 AM AWST
22/07/2026 10:31 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.
Conduct mechanically assisted tree falling operations
Conduct mechanically assisted tree falling operations
Unit of competency
National Code
FPIHAR3213B
FPIHAR3213B
State Code
D6034
D6034
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
150
Description
This unit describes the outcomes required to use machinery, winches and cables to push or pull trees away from their natural direction of fallCompliance with licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may be required in various jurisdictions
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for treepushing or pulling
- 1.1. Applicable Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to conducting mechanically assisted tree falling operations are identified and followed1.2. Work plan is reviewed and checked with appropriate personnel1.3. Type and quantity of trees to be pushed or pulled are identified and assessed for safe working conditions1.4. Equipment is selected appropriate to work requirements and checked for operational effectiveness in line with manufacturer's recommendations1.5. Tree pushing or pulling activities are planned in line with site procedures, taking into consideration environmental requirements where it is safe to do so1.6. Communication with others is established and maintained in line with OHS requirements
2. Assess and plan tree pushing or pulling
- 2.1. Environmental conditions are assessed and used to plan the felling of each tree
- 2.2. Movement and whereabouts of other personnel is monitored and work modified to be in line with OHS regulations2.3. Tree, location and stability are assessed for conditions likely to affect safety of tree pushing or pulling activities2.4. Tree is visually assessed for defects, grade and recovery status2.5. Growth around tree and escape route is selected and cleared either manually or mechanically2.6. Fall direction and allowable degree of error are assessed, considering hang ups, damage and extraction constraints2.7. Cutting sequence is planned to control direction of the fall and minimise damage to the tree and surrounding environment and communicated to other personnel2.8. Trees too dangerous to be felled safely are marked and referred to appropriate personnel
3. Push or pull trees
- 3.1. Pre start-up checks are carried out on equipment in line with site requirements3.2. Leaders are removed and cleared in line with the tree pushing or pulling plan3.3. Unexpected characteristics of a tree are diagnosed and planning is reviewed3.4. Winches or cables or machinery are secured and tensioned and scarf cut made in line with planned falling direction and OHS requirements3.5. Appropriate cuts are made to assist the fall angle of the tree and should be placed below the scarf cut3.6. Falling is completed once initiated and planned escape route used once the tree begins to fall3.7. Movement of the tree on the ground is monitored until stable and trees which hang up are flagged and cleared immediately3.8. Tree pushing or pulling process and equipment faults are recorded and reported to the appropriate personnel
4. Conduct operator maintenance
- 4.1. Equipment lock-out procedures are followed in line with OHS legislation and site procedures4.2. Chain is checked for blunt or damaged condition4.3. Chain and other components are removed, sharpened, maintained, adjusted and replaced in line with manufacturer's recommendations4.4. Tree pushing or pulling equipment is checked for operation and serviced4.5. Chainsaw set-up is assessed and adjusted to suit cutting conditions4.6. Chainsaw is kept in operational condition and checked to ensure it meets relevant standards prior to use
RANGE STATEMENT
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.
Trees
are those in positions where conventional cutting techniques will not facilitate desired fall direction
Pushed or pulled
is the process of felling trees away from their natural direction of fall using machinery, winches or cables by pushing or pulling with winches or cables held in position by wrapping the cables around the tree to be cut
OHS requirements:
are to be in line 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
fatigue management
erection of signs
elimination of hazardous materials and substances
safe forest practices including required actions relating to forest fire
manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying
Environmental requirements may include:
legislation
organisational policies and procedures
workplace practices
Legislative requirements:
are to be in line 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
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)
Work plan is to include
instructions for tree pushing or pulling for the work site
and may include:
type
size
length
quantity
grade
instructions for the environmental monitoring of work and procedures
environmental care requirements relevant to the work
Appropriate personnel may include:
supervisors
suppliers
clients
colleagues
managers
Equipment may include:
machinery
excavators
winches
cables
chainsaws
specific safety attire
maintenance tools and equipment
and is to include:
procedures for chainsaw lock-out such as protecting operators and co-workers from accidental injury by isolating the machine
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
Environmental conditions may include:
ground growth
ground slope
gullies
water courses
seed trees
habitat trees
ground hazards
obstacles
Stability:
is the physical stability of the tree in-situ, that it is safe to fell and not likely to contain wet or dry rot
Defects may include:
shakes
insect defects
knots
resin pockets
Grade is to include:
evaluation of the tree for defects
quality and size of log return
Fall direction
is the natural direction the tree will fall considering its degree of natural lean or its ground position on a slope or in a gully
Hang ups
are trees which become entangled or snagged with other objects, usually other standing trees and do not fall completely to the ground
Extraction
is the method of removing the log from the worksite with mechanical equipment and cables, considering site conditions and specific log location
Cutting sequence
is the best direction or angle for making cuts to facilitate achieving the required fall direction
Pre start-up checks
are conducted to ensure:
equipment has been set-up correctly
the systems are performing accurately and operating to optimum performance
Leaders are to include:
new tree growth from the base or near the base of the tree
Winches or cables
are the equipment used to assist the tree falling in an opposing direction to its natural fall by wrapping the cables around the tree and another object, combined by the winch, pressure is brought on the tree to fall in an opposing direction
Machinery may include:
excavators
Records and reports may include:
tree type
size
length
diameter
inspection
grading and labelling outcomes
storage locations
quality outcomes
hazards
incidents
equipment malfunctions
and may be:
manual
using a computer-based system or another appropriate organisational communication system
Chain
is the fast moving component surrounding the chainsaw blade containing many linked teeth
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.
Trees
are those in positions where conventional cutting techniques will not facilitate desired fall direction
Pushed or pulled
is the process of felling trees away from their natural direction of fall using machinery, winches or cables by pushing or pulling with winches or cables held in position by wrapping the cables around the tree to be cut
OHS requirements:
are to be in line 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
fatigue management
erection of signs
elimination of hazardous materials and substances
safe forest practices including required actions relating to forest fire
manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying
Environmental requirements may include:
legislation
organisational policies and procedures
workplace practices
Legislative requirements:
are to be in line 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
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)
Work plan is to include
instructions for tree pushing or pulling for the work site
and may include:
type
size
length
quantity
grade
instructions for the environmental monitoring of work and procedures
environmental care requirements relevant to the work
Appropriate personnel may include:
supervisors
suppliers
clients
colleagues
managers
Equipment may include:
machinery
excavators
winches
cables
chainsaws
specific safety attire
maintenance tools and equipment
and is to include:
procedures for chainsaw lock-out such as protecting operators and co-workers from accidental injury by isolating the machine
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
Environmental conditions may include:
ground growth
ground slope
gullies
water courses
seed trees
habitat trees
ground hazards
obstacles
Stability:
is the physical stability of the tree in-situ, that it is safe to fell and not likely to contain wet or dry rot
Defects may include:
shakes
insect defects
knots
resin pockets
Grade is to include:
evaluation of the tree for defects
quality and size of log return
Fall direction
is the natural direction the tree will fall considering its degree of natural lean or its ground position on a slope or in a gully
Hang ups
are trees which become entangled or snagged with other objects, usually other standing trees and do not fall completely to the ground
Extraction
is the method of removing the log from the worksite with mechanical equipment and cables, considering site conditions and specific log location
Cutting sequence
is the best direction or angle for making cuts to facilitate achieving the required fall direction
Pre start-up checks
are conducted to ensure:
equipment has been set-up correctly
the systems are performing accurately and operating to optimum performance
Leaders are to include:
new tree growth from the base or near the base of the tree
Winches or cables
are the equipment used to assist the tree falling in an opposing direction to its natural fall by wrapping the cables around the tree and another object, combined by the winch, pressure is brought on the tree to fall in an opposing direction
Machinery may include:
excavators
Records and reports may include:
tree type
size
length
diameter
inspection
grading and labelling outcomes
storage locations
quality outcomes
hazards
incidents
equipment malfunctions
and may be:
manual
using a computer-based system or another appropriate organisational communication system
Chain
is the fast moving component surrounding the chainsaw blade containing many linked teeth
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 safely and efficiently apply tree pushing or pulling techniques mechanically within organisational requirements
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:
following applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to conducting mechanically assisted tree falling operations
following organisational policies and procedures relevant to conducting mechanically assisted tree falling operations
applying tree pushing or pulling techniques in line with the work plan and within prescribed organisational tolerances
conducting operator maintenance on a chainsaw
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 required knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context
Assessment is to follow 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 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 required knowledge
Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required 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 required 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 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 safely and efficiently apply tree pushing or pulling techniques mechanically within organisational requirements
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:
following applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to conducting mechanically assisted tree falling operations
following organisational policies and procedures relevant to conducting mechanically assisted tree falling operations
applying tree pushing or pulling techniques in line with the work plan and within prescribed organisational tolerances
conducting operator maintenance on a chainsaw
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 required knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context
Assessment is to follow 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 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 required knowledge
Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required 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 required 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
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AXK33 | FWPHAR3213 | Conduct mechanically assisted tree falling operations | 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 |