Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
21/07/2026 11:35 PM AWST
21/07/2026 11:35 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.
Fall trees manually (basic)
Fall trees manually (basic)
Unit of competency
National Code
FPICOT2236
FPICOT2236
State Code
WF816
WF816
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
07/11/2014
Field of Education
050501 - Forestry Studies
Original Release Date
07/11/2014
Nominal Hours
80
Description
This unit describes the outcomes required to assess, plan and safely carry out manual tree-felling operations using a chainsaw. It is an introductory or base-level unit that covers the felling procedures for relatively small trees with a low level of complexity.Techniques for trees with a diameter greater than the bar length, while not excluded, would generally be regarded as techniques beyond the scope of this unit.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for felling
- 1.1.Identify and adhere to work specifications and site environmental protection measures relevant to felling basic trees in line with organisational requirements and relevant regulations
- 1.2.Review and check job requirements as required with appropriate personnel
- 1.3.Select and check tools and equipment appropriate to work requirements for operational effectiveness according to manufacturer recommendations
- 1.4.Identify trees to be retained and felled
- 1.5.Establish general falling direction
- 1.6.Determine and progressively plan tree felling sequence for individual trees
- 1.7.Establish and maintain communication with others according to occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements
2. Visually assess site conditions and surroundings
- 2.1.Review location and stability for conditions likely to affect felling activities
- 2.2.Monitor movement and location of activity in the work area and modify plan for felling activity according to OHS regulations
- 2.3.Identify and report site environmental conditions to appropriate personnel
- 2.4.Identify and control potential and existing risks and hazards
- 2.5.Identify and monitor other personnel working on the site
3. Assess tree and plan felling
- 3.1.Identify trees considered outside own skill level and seek assistance from appropriate personnel
- 3.2.Visually assess tree for felling characteristics, defects and stresses
- 3.3.Determine and check required falling direction and possible deviation
- 3.4.Plan sequence of cuts to fell tree according to standard felling procedures
- 3.5.Select suitable escape route
- 3.6.Clear work site and escape route of debris and growth according to environmental care principles and statutory requirements
4. Apply tree felling techniques
- 4.1.Fell individual trees using selected cutting techniques according to OHS and job requirements
- 4.2.Adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of tree
- 4.3.Use planned escape route when tree starts to fall
- 4.4.Monitor fall and movement of tree on ground until determined stable
- 4.5.Identify and implement procedures for removal of trees that are hung-up
- 4.6.Dispose of waste materials in line with environmental and operational requirements
5. Maintain equipment
- 5.1.Inspect equipment on completion of trimming and cutting activities
- 5.2.Identify damaged saws and cutting attachments for repair or replacement according to organisational requirements and manufacturer recommendations
- 5.3.Remove, clean, adjust or replace chain and other components according to manufacturer recommendations
- 5.4.Maintain tools and equipment according to OHS requirements and manufacturer recommendations
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.
Environmental protection measures may include:
action to limit the impact to:
native vegetation
soil and water
heritage and archeological artefacts
flora and fauna
geomorphologic features
landscape
external site pollution
recreational opportunities
regeneration opportunities
Basic trees typical to the scope of this unit may include the following characteristics:
lean and distribution of the crown weight does not create a complex situation to assess or fell
small dimensions relative to local forest size distribution
no excessive lean
no visible damage or defect
species that are not prone to free splitting and adverse reactions during felling
a crown that is free of hazards, entanglement or malformation, and is fully visible for assessment and monitoring
single stem or non-complex multi-stems
diameter of tree is less than chainsaw bar length
grown on terrain and slope that does not add significant complexity to the operation
Organisational requirements may include:
legal compliance documentation
organisational and site guidelines
policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility
procedural manuals
quality and continuous improvement processes and standards
OHS requirements, that are in accordance with applicable federal, state or territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, including:
PPE and clothing
safety equipment
first aid equipment
firefighting equipment
hazard and risk control
fatigue management
appropriate signage
elimination of hazardous materials and substances
safe forest practices, including required actions relating to forest fire
techniques for manual handling, including shifting, lifting and carrying
legislative requirements that are to be in accordance with applicable federal, state or territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice, including:
award and organisational agreements
industrial relations
Australian standards
confidentiality and privacy
OHS
the environment
native vegetation
equal employment opportunity
anti-discrimination
relevant industry codes of practice
duty of care
OHS, emergency and evacuation procedures
ethical standards
recording and reporting requirements
equipment use, maintenance and storage requirements
environmental management requirements, including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines
Job requirements may include:
information and instructions relevant to tree-felling operations, including:
processing location details
trees to be felled and retained
general environmental requirements, including site plan and environmental features
Appropriate personnel may include:
supervisors
clients
colleagues
managers
Tools and equipment may include:
warning signs
chainsaw and components
PPE and clothing
first aid equipment
maintenance requirements
support tools
Communication may include:
verbal and non-verbal language
hand or other agreed signals
eye contact with other operators or personnel
active listening and questioning to clarify and confirm understanding
electronic communication devices
Environmental conditions may relate to:
ground growth
canopy
general forest lean
ground slope
ground hazards
wind speed and direction
Hazards may include:
uneven/unstable terrain
unsafe trees
fires
overhead and underground services
excavations
traffic
structures
hazardous materials
insects and animals
other personnel and machinery
Trees considered outside own skill level may include:
trees that contain hazards and are deemed unsafe
trees where cuts made may lead to loss of control of tree in felling
trees that are considered to be in the intermediate or advanced categories
Cutting techniques:
will be suited to small non-complex felling situations and will include:
scarf cutting
back cutting to provide hinge-wood and maintain control of tree
and may include:
use of wedges to assist in controlling falling direction
Environmental protection measures may include:
action to limit the impact to:
native vegetation
soil and water
heritage and archeological artefacts
flora and fauna
geomorphologic features
landscape
external site pollution
recreational opportunities
regeneration opportunities
Basic trees typical to the scope of this unit may include the following characteristics:
lean and distribution of the crown weight does not create a complex situation to assess or fell
small dimensions relative to local forest size distribution
no excessive lean
no visible damage or defect
species that are not prone to free splitting and adverse reactions during felling
a crown that is free of hazards, entanglement or malformation, and is fully visible for assessment and monitoring
single stem or non-complex multi-stems
diameter of tree is less than chainsaw bar length
grown on terrain and slope that does not add significant complexity to the operation
Organisational requirements may include:
legal compliance documentation
organisational and site guidelines
policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility
procedural manuals
quality and continuous improvement processes and standards
OHS requirements, that are in accordance with applicable federal, state or territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, including:
PPE and clothing
safety equipment
first aid equipment
firefighting equipment
hazard and risk control
fatigue management
appropriate signage
elimination of hazardous materials and substances
safe forest practices, including required actions relating to forest fire
techniques for manual handling, including shifting, lifting and carrying
legislative requirements that are to be in accordance with applicable federal, state or territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice, including:
award and organisational agreements
industrial relations
Australian standards
confidentiality and privacy
OHS
the environment
native vegetation
equal employment opportunity
anti-discrimination
relevant industry codes of practice
duty of care
OHS, emergency and evacuation procedures
ethical standards
recording and reporting requirements
equipment use, maintenance and storage requirements
environmental management requirements, including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines
Job requirements may include:
information and instructions relevant to tree-felling operations, including:
processing location details
trees to be felled and retained
general environmental requirements, including site plan and environmental features
Appropriate personnel may include:
supervisors
clients
colleagues
managers
Tools and equipment may include:
warning signs
chainsaw and components
PPE and clothing
first aid equipment
maintenance requirements
support tools
Communication may include:
verbal and non-verbal language
hand or other agreed signals
eye contact with other operators or personnel
active listening and questioning to clarify and confirm understanding
electronic communication devices
Environmental conditions may relate to:
ground growth
canopy
general forest lean
ground slope
ground hazards
wind speed and direction
Hazards may include:
uneven/unstable terrain
unsafe trees
fires
overhead and underground services
excavations
traffic
structures
hazardous materials
insects and animals
other personnel and machinery
Trees considered outside own skill level may include:
trees that contain hazards and are deemed unsafe
trees where cuts made may lead to loss of control of tree in felling
trees that are considered to be in the intermediate or advanced categories
Cutting techniques:
will be suited to small non-complex felling situations and will include:
scarf cutting
back cutting to provide hinge-wood and maintain control of tree
and may include:
use of wedges to assist in controlling falling direction
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this 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 fell trees manually according to 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:
compliance with applicable federal, state or territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to felling trees manually
compliance with organisational policies and procedures relevant to felling trees manually
compliance with applicable licensing or certification requirements relevant to felling trees manually
communicating effectively and working safely with others in the work area
Identifying key features of structural defects and stresses in trees and the impact on felling trees at the basic levelcontributing to a tree and conditions assessment, and planning for and felling trees within the range of variables for trees and conditions
planning felling sequence of basic trees and prepare surroundings including escape route
felling a range of basic trees using a range of cuts safely without damage to personnel, equipment and surrounding environment
selecting, using and maintaining appropriate tools and equipment for felling basic trees manually, and recognising faults, problems and malfunctions
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a realistically simulated workplace
Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context
Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements and Australian standards
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 methods 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 underpinning knowledge
Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on underpinning knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills
Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access, interpret and apply the essential underpinning 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
Overview of assessment
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can safely and efficiently fell trees manually according to 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:
compliance with applicable federal, state or territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to felling trees manually
compliance with organisational policies and procedures relevant to felling trees manually
compliance with applicable licensing or certification requirements relevant to felling trees manually
communicating effectively and working safely with others in the work area
Identifying key features of structural defects and stresses in trees and the impact on felling trees at the basic levelcontributing to a tree and conditions assessment, and planning for and felling trees within the range of variables for trees and conditions
planning felling sequence of basic trees and prepare surroundings including escape route
felling a range of basic trees using a range of cuts safely without damage to personnel, equipment and surrounding environment
selecting, using and maintaining appropriate tools and equipment for felling basic trees manually, and recognising faults, problems and malfunctions
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a realistically simulated workplace
Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context
Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements and Australian standards
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 methods 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 underpinning knowledge
Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on underpinning knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills
Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access, interpret and apply the essential underpinning 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| S4654 | FPIFGM2208A | Fall trees manually (basic) | Unit of competency |
| S4693 | FPIHAR2202A | Harvest trees manually (basic) | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AXL67 | FWPCOT2236 | Fall trees manually (basic) | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J609 | FPI20113 | Certificate II in Forest Growing and Management | Qualification |
| J458 | FPI20111 | Certificate II in Forest Growing and Management | Qualification |
| J610 | FPI20213 | Certificate II in Harvesting and Haulage | Qualification |
| J459 | FPI20211 | Certificate II in Harvesting and Haulage | Qualification |
| J523 | PUA20713 | Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations) | Qualification |