Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
21/07/2026 11:16 PM AWST
21/07/2026 11:16 PM 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 and maintain saw performance
Assess and maintain saw performance
Unit of competency
National Code
FPICOT3216B
FPICOT3216B
State Code
D5927
D5927
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
04/08/2014
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
04/08/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit describes the outcomes required to assess, verify, test and rectify cutting problems on chipping and sawing machines, saw blades, knives and associated equipmentGeneral 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 FPICOT3216A Assess and maintain saw performance
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Inspect and test saw and equipment
- 1.1. Applicable occupational health and safety (OHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to assessing and maintaining saw performance are identified and followed
- 1.2. Information relating to current and past performance problems is obtained and reviewed to assess process problems
- 1.3. Saw and equipment are observed under a range of operating conditions to determine the extent of the problems
- 1.4. Timber fed through saw is examined to determine potential causes of cutting problem
- 1.5. Saw and equipment are inspected to identify worn, broken and loose components in line with manufacturer instructions and recommendations
- 1.6. Equipment lock-out procedures are applied in line with OHS and workplace procedures
- 1.7. Communication with others is established and maintained in line with OHS requirements
2. Assess technical performance
- 2.1. Technical performance of sawing operation is assessed to identify future improvements in line with site procedures
- 2.2. Technical performance is compared against other equipment to determine possible efficiencies
- 2.3. Options for new equipment are assessed to determine feasibility of improvements in performance
- 2.4. Endorsement from appropriate personnel of identified improvements is obtained as required
3. Rectify saw problems
- 3.1. Potential causes are diagnosed through the occurring problem and its characteristics
- 3.2. Assessed causes are validated by reference to other trades and by operations personnel
- 3.3. Multiple causes are assessed and action is planned, with alternative courses of action canvassed with relevant personnel to identify and agree on preferred option
- 3.4. Selected course of action is implemented and cutting results are re-examined and reviewed
- 3.5. Action and results are communicated to appropriate personnel
- 3.6. Causes of cutting problems and actions taken are accurately recorded and reported in line with site procedures
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
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, maintenance and storage requirements
environmental management requirements (waste minimisation and disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)
Saws may include:
individual items of wood cutting machinery, including:
band saws
circular saws
gang saws
chippers
canters
Timber may include:
hardwoods
softwoods
native
imported species
Equipment lock-out procedures are to include:
protecting operators and co-workers from accidental injury by isolating the equipment from the power source
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
Technical performance may relate to:
rectification methods to solve sawing problems
methods to improve saw performance
comparison against other equipment to identify efficiencies
potential application to other machinery
Causes may include:
forcing timber through the equipment
damage from foreign matter
incorrect operating speeds
oversized material removal
incorrect setting of equipment
poor sharpening or setting of saw blades
Action usually includes:
reversal
education relating to the causes or development of alternative strategies
Appropriate personnel may include:
supervisors
suppliers
clients
colleagues
managers
Records and reports may include:
equipment type
size
inspection information
maintenance outcomes
common and recurring faults
malfunctions and damage
hazards and incidents
and may be:
manual
using a computer-based system
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
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, maintenance and storage requirements
environmental management requirements (waste minimisation and disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)
Saws may include:
individual items of wood cutting machinery, including:
band saws
circular saws
gang saws
chippers
canters
Timber may include:
hardwoods
softwoods
native
imported species
Equipment lock-out procedures are to include:
protecting operators and co-workers from accidental injury by isolating the equipment from the power source
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
Technical performance may relate to:
rectification methods to solve sawing problems
methods to improve saw performance
comparison against other equipment to identify efficiencies
potential application to other machinery
Causes may include:
forcing timber through the equipment
damage from foreign matter
incorrect operating speeds
oversized material removal
incorrect setting of equipment
poor sharpening or setting of saw blades
Action usually includes:
reversal
education relating to the causes or development of alternative strategies
Appropriate personnel may include:
supervisors
suppliers
clients
colleagues
managers
Records and reports may include:
equipment type
size
inspection information
maintenance outcomes
common and recurring faults
malfunctions and damage
hazards and incidents
and may be:
manual
using a computer-based system
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 and maintain saw performance
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 and maintaining saw performance
following organisational policies and procedures relevant to assessing and maintaining saw performance
assessing saw problems through information gathering, testing and inspecting equipment, and assessing possible causes
selecting and implementing the correct course of action to rectify saw problems
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 and maintain saw performance
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 and maintaining saw performance
following organisational policies and procedures relevant to assessing and maintaining saw performance
assessing saw problems through information gathering, testing and inspecting equipment, and assessing possible causes
selecting and implementing the correct course of action to rectify saw problems
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| S4604 | FPICOT3216A | Assess and maintain saw performance | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AXL46 | FWPCOT3216 | Assess and maintain saw performance | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J471 | FPI30711 | Certificate III in Sawdoctoring | Qualification |
| J467 | FPI30311 | Certificate III in Sawmilling and Processing | Qualification |
| J469 | FPI30511 | Certificate III in Timber Manufactured Products | Qualification |
| J475 | FPI40211 | Certificate IV in Timber Processing | Qualification |
| J468 | FPI30411 | Certificate III in Wood Panel Products | Qualification |
| J472 | FPI30811 | Certificate III in Woodmachining | Qualification |