Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:27 AM AWST
22/07/2026 1:27 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.
Assess wood chips
Assess wood chips
Unit of competency
National Code
FPISAW3223B
FPISAW3223B
State Code
D6079
D6079
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
25/06/2012
Field of Education
030305 - Materials Engineering
Original Release Date
25/06/2012
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit describes the outcomes required to collect wood chip samples, to test wood chips, and to report and follow up on the results to ensure quality outcomes for downstream processingGeneral workplace legislative and regulatory requirements apply to this unit; however there are no specific licensing or certification requirements at the time of publicationThis unit replaces FPISAW3223A Assess wood chips
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for assessment
- 1.1. Applicable Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to assessing wood chips are identified and followed
- 1.2. Work order is reviewed and checked with appropriate personnel
- 1.3. Type and quantity of wood chips for assessment are obtained
- 1.4. Equipment is selected appropriate to work requirements and checked for operational effectiveness in line with manufacturer's recommendations
- 1.5. Testing processes are selected and planned in line with site procedures and environmental requirements
- 1.6. Communication with others is established and maintained in line with OHS requirements
2. Collect and assess samples
- 2.1. Material being chipped is inspected for contaminants
- 2.2. Chip production, transport and storage processes are examined for potential sources of contamination
- 2.3. Chips are visually assessed at production, transport and storage locations in line with site procedures
- 2.4. Potential problems with chip characteristics and contamination are reported in line with site procedures and environmental requirements
- 2.5. Chip samples are collected from designated locations and kept free from mixing and contamination
- 2.6. Sampling records are completed in line with site procedures
3. Test wood chips and report outcomes
- 3.1. Chip specifications are identified from production schedules and order requirements
- 3.2. Chips are tested for moisture content, size distribution, shape and contamination
- 3.3. Chip samples are stored and test reports completed in line with site requirements
- 3.4. Test results are communicated to production personnel to facilitate process control or changes
- 3.5. Test sampling is modified in response to new problems and production changes
- 3.6. Testing process and equipment faults are recorded and reported to the appropriate personnel
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.
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
elimination of hazardous materials and substances
safe forest practices including required actions relating to forest fire
manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying
machine isolation and guarding
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 minimisation and disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)
Work order is to include:
instructions for the sampling and testing of wood chips
and may also include:
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
Wood chips
are the output product as a result of converting wood into chip material which is then used to produce other products
Assessment is to include:
the inspection of wood chips to determine:
size distribution
shape
finish quality
contamination
faults
Equipment may include:
moisture meters
basic testing equipment
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
body language
Contaminants may include:
disease
infestation
rot
paint
plastic
bark
charcoal
rock
metal
Chip characteristics are to include:
moisture content
size
shape
species
Sampling
is the selection of small lots of wood chips from various points of the stockpile or other designated locations
Designated location may include:
stock piles
production points
transport methods
from transfer systems
Testing is to include:
the most appropriate approach taken to:
ascertain the cause of a problem
improve a current methodology
Moisture content
is the amount of moisture maintained in wood chips after processing to avoid cracking and deforming
in Australia generally ranges between 10% in warmer, more humid climates to 14% in cooler climates
Records and reports may include:
sampling and testing results
quantities produced
condition changes
production difficulties
storage locations
quality outcomes
hazards
incidents
equipment malfunctions
and may be:
manual
using a computer-based system or other appropriate organisational communication system
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 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
elimination of hazardous materials and substances
safe forest practices including required actions relating to forest fire
manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying
machine isolation and guarding
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 minimisation and disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)
Work order is to include:
instructions for the sampling and testing of wood chips
and may also include:
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
Wood chips
are the output product as a result of converting wood into chip material which is then used to produce other products
Assessment is to include:
the inspection of wood chips to determine:
size distribution
shape
finish quality
contamination
faults
Equipment may include:
moisture meters
basic testing equipment
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
body language
Contaminants may include:
disease
infestation
rot
paint
plastic
bark
charcoal
rock
metal
Chip characteristics are to include:
moisture content
size
shape
species
Sampling
is the selection of small lots of wood chips from various points of the stockpile or other designated locations
Designated location may include:
stock piles
production points
transport methods
from transfer systems
Testing is to include:
the most appropriate approach taken to:
ascertain the cause of a problem
improve a current methodology
Moisture content
is the amount of moisture maintained in wood chips after processing to avoid cracking and deforming
in Australia generally ranges between 10% in warmer, more humid climates to 14% in cooler climates
Records and reports may include:
sampling and testing results
quantities produced
condition changes
production difficulties
storage locations
quality outcomes
hazards
incidents
equipment malfunctions
and may be:
manual
using a computer-based system or other appropriate organisational communication system
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 assess wood chips 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 assessing wood chips
following organisational policies and procedures relevant to assessing wood chips
assessing wood chips in line with the work order and within prescribed organisational requirements
testing wood chips for contamination and moisture content
reporting on outcomes of testing
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 assess wood chips 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 assessing wood chips
following organisational policies and procedures relevant to assessing wood chips
assessing wood chips in line with the work order and within prescribed organisational requirements
testing wood chips for contamination and moisture content
reporting on outcomes of testing
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
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S4751 | FPISAW3223A | Assess wood chips | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AXJ86 | FWPSAW3223 | Assess wood chips | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J467 | FPI30311 | Certificate III in Sawmilling and Processing | Qualification |