Modification History

Release	Comments
Release 1	This version released with AHC Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package Version 6.0.

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for tree felling, fell small trees and complete felling operations where hazards have been assessed as low risk.

The unit applies to individuals who apply low risk work procedures and comply with worksite health and safety requirements when felling trees under general supervision, with limited autonomy or accountability.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

The prerequisite unit of competency for this unit is:

• AHCMOM213 Operate and maintain chainsaws.

Unit Sector

Plant Culture and Management (PCM)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements	Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes.	Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.
1. Assist in preparation of worksite	1.1 Identify location of worksite and correct tree from scope of works, and confirm with supervisor 1.2 Identify site hazards, assess risks and report to supervisor 1.3 Confirm work zone with work crew, and monitor site 1.4 Confirm first aid and emergency personnel, equipment and procedures 1.5 Document and implement site health and safety in the workplace, environmental and traffic control measures according to workplace procedures
2. Identify tree felling requirements	2.1 Identify hazards and risks relevant to felling operation, and implement safe working practices to manage risks 2.2 Examine topography and site conditions 2.3 Identify factors influencing the tree felling operation, and confirm with supervisor 2.4 Identify trees considered outside own skill level for felling, and seek assistance from appropriate personnel 2.5 Determine natural direction of fall, safe fall zone and exclusion zone, and confirm with supervisor 2.6 Confirm tree felling operations and instructions with supervisor prior to undertaking work
3. Prepare for tree felling	3.1 Select and prepare felling equipment and component options appropriate to the task being undertaken 3.2 Prepare, transport and position support tools to minimise felling delays 3.3 Select and maintain safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) according to workplace health and safety requirements 3.4 Fit and use safety equipment and PPE applicable to the task being undertaken 3.5 Clear fall zone of obstacles and articles that may be damaged by felled tree 3.6 Establish clear escape route appropriate to site
4. Fell tree	4.1 Note and monitor location of other personnel 4.2 Carry out tree felling operation according to scope of works 4.3 Communicate with work team during operations using voice, hand or whistle signals 4.4 Determine standard tree felling techniques, patterns and cut sequences by ground conditions and state of canopy 4.5 Take corrective action in response to changing conditions or problems encountered 4.6 Use planned escape route when tree starts to fall 4.7 Monitor fall of tree and movement on ground until felled tree is stable 4.8 Undertake tree felling activities using documented low risk work methods
5. Complete tree felling operation	5.1 Determine appropriate method of clearing the site of felled tree 5.2 Select and use machinery required for removal of felled tree 5.3 Clear fall site of tree and all tree debris according to supervisor instructions 5.4 Clean and return machinery, tools and equipment to required location 5.5 Identify and report unserviceable machinery, tools and equipment according to workplace procedures 5.6 Report tree felling activities according to workplace procedures

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Skill	Description
Reading	Interpret textual information from a range of sources to identify relevant and key information about tree felling operations
Oral communication	Use clear language to report hazards and risks and to confirm worksite, first aid and emergency personnel, equipment and procedures, and to report felling activities and unserviceable machinery, tools and equipment Participate in verbal exchanges to respond to questions and clarify information Use verbal and non-verbal communications with work team during operations using voice, hand and whistle signals

Unit Mapping Information

Code and title current version	Code and title previous version	Comments	Equivalence status
AHCPCM205 Fell small trees	AHCPCM203 Fell small trees	Minor changes to application Major changes to performance criteria Foundation skills added Assessment requirements updated	Not equivalent

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Release	Comments
Release 1	This version released with AHC Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package Version 6.0.

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has felled small trees on at least three occasions, and has:

• applied workplace health and safety requirements applicable to felling small trees
• applied principles and practices of small tree felling operations
• applied documented low risk work methods and workplace procedures
• assessed topography and site conditions, identified factors influencing tree felling operation, and confirmed findings with supervisor
• prepared, transported and positioned support tools to minimise felling delays
• safely operated a chainsaw to fell small trees
• reported felling activities, and machinery, tool and equipment unserviceability according to workplace procedures.

Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

• workplace requirements applicable to health and safety in the workplace for small tree felling operations
• principles and practices of small tree felling operations, including:

• corrective action
• emergency and first aid procedures
• felling equipment and components
• first aid and emergency personnel, equipment and procedures
• ground conditions
• how to determine natural direction of fall
• how to establish a clear escape route
• industry standard terminology
• obstacles and articles that may be damaged by felled trees
• positioning support tools
• safe operating procedures for felling small trees
• safe fall and exclusion zones
• selection, preparation and appropriate equipment for task
• standard tree felling techniques, patterns and cut sequences
• topography, site conditions and other factors influencing tree felling operations

• low risk work methods and workplace procedures for small tree felling operations.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• a workplace setting or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions
• personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn whilst operating chainsaw
• individual must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• individual must not be taking any medication (prescribed or otherwise) that may impair judgement

• resources, equipment and materials:

• chainsaws
• chainsaw tools
• small trees
• tree felling machinery, tools and equipment
• safety equipment and PPE applicable to the task being undertaken

• specifications:

• workplace requirements applicable to health and safety in the workplace and small tree felling operations
• documented low risk work methods and workplace procedures applicable to small tree felling operations

• relationships:

• team members, supervisor

• timeframes:

• according to job requirements.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Links

https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/AHCPCM205