SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Fell trees using a chainsaw in a production situation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117064  Fell trees using a chainsaw in a production situation 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Forestry 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Forestry and Wood Technology 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit is for people who fell trees using a chainsaw in a production situation. People credited with this standard are able to:
  • Describe the operational plan for the specific tree felling operation.
  • Prepare for felling.
  • Fell trees in a production situation complying with operational requirements. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Demonstrate knowledge of basic safety in forestry operations.
  • Maintain a chainsaw and cut felled timber using a chainsaw.
  • Fell trees with a chainsaw using the standard technique and felling levers.
  • Fell trees with a chainsaw using specialised techniques. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Competence can be demonstrated either in pulpwood or saw timber operations. Demonstration of competence will take place "on-the-job" in a production situation. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the operational plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Operational requirements for the felling operation are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Production target, felling layout, felling direction, stump heights, timber quality, timber flow and special management zones
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Felling direction, starting points for felling and the sequence of progression into the stand are explained in terms of the operational plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Contingency plans to cover additional means of bringing trees to the ground are described to ensure the safety of workers. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare for felling. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Self, other workers, equipment, general work area. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Safety requirements applicable to the specific operation are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All personal protective equipment required, is checked for functionality and used in terms of company policy and legal requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Chainsaw and equipment are checked for completeness and serviceability, and corrective action is taken, if required. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    General work area is assessed in terms of section 10.9.1 of the Handbook. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Fell trees in a production situation complying with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Trees are individually assessed in terms of section 10.9.2 of the Handbook in order to ensure safety and determining the felling direction. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Felling site is prepared in terms of section 10.9.3 of the Handbook, when required. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Trees are directionally felled using effective techniques, including the use of felling aids, when required. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Felling is performed to meet operational plan requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Stump heights, wastage and breakage are minimised, felling direction and layout, felling complements other phases of the operation, work rate meets predetermined production target, and special management zones are protected
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Standard operating procedures and safe work practices are adhered to throughout the operation. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Providers of learning and assessors must be accredited in terms of the requirements of the Forest Industries Education and Training Authority.

    Moderation option: The moderation requirements of the Forest Industries Education and Training Authority must be met. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Names and functions of:
  • Operational plans
  • Contingency plans
  • Personal Protective equipment

    Attributes, descriptions, characteristics and properties of:
  • General work area
  • Felling site
  • Standard operating procedures

    Sensory cues:
  • What I see, feel hear and smell during the process

    Purpose of:
  • Felling direction
  • Starting points for felling
  • The sequence of progression into the stand

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies, standards:
  • The Handbook referred is FESA's " Chainsaw Safety and Operating Handbook."
  • Standard operating procedures: "Guidelines for Forest Engineering Practices in South Africa" (FESA)
  • Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) legislation

    Theory: rules, principles, laws:
  • Chainsaw and equipment maintenance
  • Standard operating procedures

    Relationships, systems:
  • The felling is performed in relation to the operational plan requirements 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems
  • Relating to the felling of trees with a chainsaw in a production environment 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others
  • When interacting with team members and colleagues during the planning, preparation, and completion of the process 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage myself and my activities
  • When planning and performing the felling of trees in a safe and aware manner
  • When managing resources and my time 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively
  • When discussing the felling direction of the trees with others to ensure safe working conditions are maintained 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically
  • When using special tools and equipment to assist the chainsaw operation 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems
  • When I can explain and justify my actions and procedures followed during the operational requirements 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  48988   National Certificate: Forestry: Timber Harvesting  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  FPMSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. AFRICAN MULTISKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING 
    2. COALITION TRADING 1238 CC 
    3. Furniture World Training Centre 
    4. KWAMAHLATI TRAINING SERVICES CC 
    5. Legal Environment Safety & Health Requirements cc 
    6. NEW AFRICA SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 
    7. Phambile Skills Training (Pty) Ltd 
    8. South African Forestry Training College 
    9. TAMASA TRAINING PTY LTD 
    10. VPK BUSINESS VENTURE C C 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.