FWPCOT3351 — Fell trees manually (advanced)

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What an assessment for FWPCOT3351 must cover

54 assessable components: 5 elements (32 performance criteria), 6 performance evidence and 12 knowledge evidence requirements, plus 4 foundation skills. An audit-defensible tool maps every question and task back to these — that mapping is the coverage matrix Auditori generates alongside the assessment.

Elements & performance criteria

1 Prepare for felling

1.1Determine job requirements from work order or instruction and, where required, seek clarification from appropriate personnel
1.2Confirm workplace health and safety and environmental protection practices and/or procedures for task
1.3Identify hazards, assess risks, determine appropriate control measures and record findings to mitigate risks and hazards associated with felling advanced trees by conducting a documented risk assessment according to workplace procedures
1.4Identify, assess and determine felling requirements of trees to fell according to work order or instruction
1.5Consult and maintain communication with team members and other appropriate personnel to ensure that work is coordinated effectively with others in the workplace
1.6Select, fit and use personal protective equipment
1.7Obtain tools and equipment needed for the work, and check for correct operation and safety

2 Assess site conditions and surroundings

2.1Inspect site for conditions likely to affect safe implementation of felling activities
2.2Identify and report site environmental conditions to appropriate personnel
2.3Determine fall zone and implement control measures to minimise risks and hazards in the zone according to safe work procedures
2.4Monitor location and activity of other personnel on the work site, and implement control measures according to workplace safety procedures

3 Assess tree and plan felling

3.1Identify trees considered outside own skill level, and seek assistance from appropriate personnel where required
3.2Assess tree visually to identify felling characteristics
3.3Assess trees and site to determine complexity of felling requirements
3.4Confirm tree is safe to fell
3.5Assess and progressively plan tree-felling sequence for individual trees
3.6Assess and check required felling direction and possible deviation
3.7Plan suitable escape routes, and clear routes of growth and other obstacles according to environmental care, workplace and regulatory requirements
3.8Plan sequence of cuts to fell tree according to standard felling procedures
3.9Assess need, safety and suitability of an industry approved technique and associated equipment to control tree fall
3.10Confirm planned escape route according to workplace procedures

4 Apply tree-felling techniques

4.1Fell individual trees using planned and appropriate techniques according to current Australian Standards and industry codes of practice at a safe distance from other personnel, machinery, infrastructure and other assets in the work area
4.2Apply an industry approved technique and equipment to ensure that the tree falls in the direction of the scarf
4.3Adjust cutting technique in response to movement and condition of tree
4.4Use planned escape route when tree starts to fall, and monitor the fall of the tree until all movement has stopped
4.5Delay movement back into the felling area until all tree material, including from adjacent tree crowns, has fallen or is stable enough to allow safe access back into the felling area
4.6Identify procedures for removal of trees that are hung-up if safe to do so
4.7Dispose of waste materials according to workplace environmental protection and operational practices and/or procedures

5 Maintain chainsaw

5.1Follow workplace health and safety procedures and manufacturer and cutting attachments instructions to deactivate and isolate equipment
5.2Inspect chainsaw on completion of activities
5.3Inspect for damage to chainsaw and cutting attachments, and tag for repair, service or replacement according to workplace requirements and manufacturer recommendations
5.4Remove, clean, adjust, sharpen or replace chain and other components according to workplace requirements and manufacturer recommendations

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 conducted a complete hazard and risk assessment of site, surroundings, and trees, planned risk control measures, selected appropriate cutting techniques and felled a minimum of six trees with advanced characteristics following workplace policies and procedures and current workplace health and safety legislation and regulations.
The trees must be chosen according to the following criteria: - at least one tree to be selected from: - tree with a lean and a weight distribution that adds significant complexity, yet can be assessed and adapted to site requirements - tree leaning in a direction away from the fall zone, or side-leaning towards the available fall zone - at least one tree with a heavy forward lean - at least one tree that can be safely felled using one of the following complex felling techniques: - centre scarf technique - executing cuts from both sides of the tree during the scarf and back cut - at least one tree exhibiting damage, defect or complex structure that requires complex felling techniques to be selected from the following: - tree with visible lightning damage - tree that is burnt out or has a fire-damaged butt - trees with complex multi-stems - tree with multi-legged growth or large multiple leaders - tree with a hollow - tree that is stag-dead or alive but in an advanced stage of decay - tree with complex large low branches.
There must also be evidence that the individual has documented a risk assessment for at least one of the felled trees. This documentation must detail localised hazards and risks associated with tree felling and specify methods to minimise these risks.
In completing this work, the individual must demonstrate correct use of personal protective equipment and that, for each tree, the felling technique used was appropriate and consistent with current Australian Standards and industry codes of practice applicable to tree felling operations.
There must also be evidence that the individual has sharpened one chain, inspected and carried out routine maintenance on one chainsaw and its cutting attachments on one occasion according to manufacturer requirements.

Knowledge evidence

Australian Standards and codes of practice applicable to tree felling operations
hazards and risks related to felling trees with chainsaws, and methods to minimise associated risks, including: - physical conditions of the site - unsafe/hazardous trees - fire and other emergency situations - overhead and underground services - nearby structures - standing vegetation in the intended direction of fall - falling branches - weather conditions - impediments of escape routes - vehicle and traffic access - people on or near worksite - machinery on or near worksite - carrying and transporting a chainsaw - user fatigue
hazards related to maintaining chainsaws, and methods to minimise associated risks
features of unsafe/hazardous advanced trees and defects of trees and how they affect tree felling activities
types and purposes of cuts to fell advanced trees: - scarf cut - back cut using different methods to provide hinge wood and wedges to maintain control of tree
characteristics of advanced trees, considering features or factors that include: - lean and weight distribution - heavy forward lean - lean direction relative to fall zone - tree diameter - trees that have fallen but remain caught on other trees or structures - damage or defects to trees from lightning, fire, or other causes - structural particularities in trees - species prone to splitting or reacting unpredictably during felling - physical environment, including the terrain and slope where the tree is situated
methods used to identify advanced trees, including those: - that contain hazards and are deemed unsafe to fell - that are considered outside own skill level - where cuts made may lead to loss of control of tree in felling
methods used to remove trees that are hung up, and procedures for removal
methods for assessing chain condition
types, safe use, operation and maintenance of chainsaws, support tools and attachments
workplace procedures specific to felling trees with chainsaws, including: - health and safety, with particular emphasis on deactivating and isolating equipment, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe manual handling and fire prevention measures - communication reporting lines - recording and reporting repairs, maintenance activities and equipment faults
environmental protection requirements and practices that meet legal obligations and requirements of the industry, state and local standards and/or codes of practice for felling trees with chainsaws, including: - protection of natural and cultural assets - cleaning plant, tools and equipment - disposing of, recycling and reusing materials - disposing of hazardous substances

Foundation skills

Reading: Interpret workplace documentation to determine requirements
Writing: Use technical and workplace specific vocabulary to accurately and legibly complete workplace records and forms
Oral communication: Select and use appropriate spoken communication strategies with work colleagues and other personnel on site when felling trees Interpret hand signals with other operators to ensure safe tree felling
Numeracy: Complete routine calculations and report on size, length and diameter of felled trees

Unit content sourced from training.gov.au — © Commonwealth of Australia, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Auditori is not affiliated with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

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Questions about assessing FWPCOT3351

What does an assessment tool for FWPCOT3351 need to cover?

To satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence, an assessment for FWPCOT3351 needs to address all 54 unit components: 5 elements with 32 performance criteria, 6 performance evidence requirements, 12 knowledge evidence requirements, and the foundation skills. A coverage matrix mapping each question and task to these components is what an auditor looks for.

How does Auditori generate an assessment tool for FWPCOT3351?

Auditori pulls the current release of FWPCOT3351 from training.gov.au and generates a complete package: candidate assessment, assessor guide with model answers and observation criteria, and a coverage matrix mapping every component. A suitably qualified person then reviews and approves the draft in a built-in workflow — consistent with ASQA's guidance on AI use in VET — before export as branded PDF and editable Word.

Is the first assessment tool really free?

Yes. Every new account includes one free credit — enough to generate the complete assessment tool for FWPCOT3351 — with no card and no subscription required. After that it's pay-as-you-go per unit.

Can I check my existing FWPCOT3351 assessment instead of generating a new one?

Yes — upload your existing assessment or learner guide and Auditori maps it against every element, performance criterion, PE and KE of FWPCOT3351, showing exactly what's covered and what's missing. Mapping costs a quarter of a credit.

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