Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 6:23 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.

Fall trees manually (intermediate)

Fall trees manually (intermediate)

Unit of competency
National Code
FWPFGM3212
State Code
AXK70
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
13/05/2016
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
05/10/2016
Field of Education
050501 - Forestry Studies
Original Release Date
05/10/2016
Nominal Hours
100
Description
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to assess, plan and safely carry out manual tree-felling operations using a chainsaw. This unit covers the felling procedures for trees with a level of complexity that requires significant tree assessment and practical felling skills.Persons competent in this unit should be able to effectively fell most trees except very large trees, and/or those with significant defects and/or characteristics that cause excessive complexity. It applies to trees that have a diameter greater than the bar length of the chainsaw.Trees typical to the scope of this unit may include the following characteristics:lean and weight distribution, which can be assessed and readily adapted to falling direction with the use of wedges and/or control with hinge-woodvarious dimensions relative to local forest size distributionlimited visible damage or defectspecies prone to free splitting and adverse reactions during fellingsingle or multi-stemsdiameter of tree greater than chainsaw bar lengthgrown on terrain and slope that can add complexity to the operationThe unit applies to a non-production environment, including forest, rural and community environments.Licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit in some states & territories at the time of publication, and may differ according to jurisdiction
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for felling
  • 1.1 Identify and comply with applicable work health and safety (WHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to felling trees
  • 1.2 Identify and adhere to site environmental protection measures according to relevant legislation and regulations
  • 1.3 Review and check job requirements with appropriate personnel
  • 1.4 Sharpen and adjust chainsaw or change components according to manufacturer recommendations
  • 1.5 Assess tree and determine felling requirements
  • 1.6 Identify and control potential and existing risks and hazards in the work area
  • 1.7 Identify trees to be retained and felled
  • 1.8 Establish and maintain communication with others according to WHS requirements
2. Visually assess site conditions and surroundings
  • 2.1 Review terrain and slope to determine if they add complexity to the operation
  • 2.2 Assess general factors affecting felling requirements and detect and control specific forest or site risks and hazards
3. Assess tree and plan felling
  • 3.1 Visually assess tree for felling characteristics
  • 3.2 Confirm tree is safe to fell
  • 3.3 Select tools and equipment appropriate to work requirements and check for operational effectiveness according to manufacturer recommendations
  • 3.4 Identify trees to be felled for size, significant defects and any characteristics causing excessive complexity
  • 3.5 Assess and progressively plan tree-felling sequence for individual trees
  • 3.6 Assess and check required falling direction and possible deviation
  • 3.7 Plan sequence of cuts to fell tree according to standard felling procedures
  • 3.8 Assess limitations of own skills in safely felling trees, identify trees considered outside own skill level and seek assistance from appropriate personnel where required
  • 3.9 Monitor and exclude location and activity of other personnel on the work site
4. Apply tree-felling techniques
  • 4.1 Select suitable escape route and clear of growth and other obstacles according to environmental care principles and statutory requirements
  • 4.2 Fell individual trees using planned techniques according to site requirements, at a safe distance from other personnel in the work area
  • 4.3 Adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of tree
  • 4.4 Use planned escape route when tree starts to fall and monitor the fall and movement of tree on ground until determined stable
  • 4.5 Delay movement back into the felling area until all tree material, including from adjacent tree crowns, has fallen
  • 4.6 Identify and implement procedures for removal of trees that are hung-up
  • 4.7 Dispose of waste materials in line with environmental and operational requirements
  • 4.8 Detect, rectify and report blunt or damaged saw chain according to workplace procedures
  • 4.9 Monitor chainsaw for operational effectiveness and record and report faults, malfunctions and problems according to workplace procedures
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
WF824 FPIFGM3212 Fall trees manually (intermediate) Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OCR54 FWPFGM3216 Fell trees manually (intermediate) Unit of competency