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: 

Demonstrate understanding of the principles of Forest Engineering practices 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
263815  Demonstrate understanding of the principles of Forest Engineering practices 
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 4  NQF Level 04  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 standard is for supervisors in a forestry operation. People completing this unit standard will have a basic understanding of general principles of Forest Engineering practices.

Qualifying learners credited with this Unit Standard will apply these principles in the management of field activities and in the support of low level workers. In particular, they are able to:
  • List and briefly describe the components of the Harvesting Process.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality standards framework within which Forest Engineering practices are applied.
  • List and briefly discuss relevant timber transport systems.
  • Briefly describe the different elements involved in the management of roads within plantations.
  • Describe the application of fundamental ergonomics in Forestry Engineering. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    List and briefly describe the components of the Harvesting Process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The three levels of planning are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Strategic, Operational and Tactical.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Manual and mechanical harvesting processes are listed and briefly described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Felling, debranching, debarking, topping, cross-cutting and stacking.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Manual and mechanical extraction processes are listed and briefly described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hand extraction, ground, cable and aerial extraction.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Options for temporary storage of timber are listed and briefly described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Infield stacking, stacking at roadside, landings and depots.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Manual and mechanical loading processes are listed and briefly described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hand and mechanical loading.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Production/Productivity and Cost control systems are listed and briefly described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Production records, production standards and budgets.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality standards framework within which Forest Engineering practices are applied. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Statutory requirements and industry norms and standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Relevant Safety and Health considerations are listed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Personal Protective Equipment and Safe Work Procedures.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The most important Environmental Legislation is listed and briefly described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Veld and Forest Act and environmental management systems, e.g. ISO 14001 and FSC.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Relevant quality management systems are listed and briefly described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Work Procedures, product specifications, quality indicators and quality management systems (e.g. ISO14001 and FSC).
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    List and briefly discuss relevant timber transport systems. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Road and Rail. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Relevant transport terminology is explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Primary transport (extraction), extended primary transport (short-haul), secondary intermediate transport (short-haul) and secondary terminal transport (delivery).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Relevant elements to be considered when utilizing road transport are briefly described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Vehicle configuration/selection, payloads, road legislation, vehicle management systems and roads infrastructure.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Relevant elements to be considered when utilizing rail transport are briefly described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Rolling stock configuration/selection, payloads, rail network infrastructure and rail network guidelines.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Briefly describe the different elements involved in the management of roads within plantations. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Building new roads and maintaining existing roads. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Elements central to new road construction in plantations are listed and briefly described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Terrain, E.I.A., Road Gradient, In situ materials, carrying capacity, curve radii, road width and drainage, road spacement (metres per hectare) and Silvicultural requirements.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Elements to consider in maintaining existing plantation roads are listed and briefly described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Gravelling, grading, drainage, compacting, camber.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The different road classes are briefly explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Road Classes A, B, C and D and depots, integration into the national road network.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Describe the application of fundamental ergonomics in Forestry Engineering. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The three elements of ergonomics are listed and briefly described (i.e. Man/method, machine and workplace). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The benefits of applying sound ergonomic principles in the workplace are listed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Important criteria to be considered before purchasing mechanical equipment or machinery are listed. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against the unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA`s policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the associated unit standards.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Components of a forestry operation.
  • Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality standards framework within a Forest Engineering context.
  • Timber transport systems.
  • Key considerations for the management of roads within plantations.
  • Fundamental ergonomics in Forestry Engineering. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in relation to a forestry operation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a supervisor of a team in a forestry operation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively in applying the principles of forest engineering principles in a forestry operation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information to determine key requirements for a range of contexts in a forestry operation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively to supervised team members, third parties and own supervisor by using mathematical and language skills in the modes of oral and written presentations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others in a forestry operation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    See the world as an integrated whole in implementing the principles of forestry engineering practices. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Qualification must be registered with the relevant ETQA as an assessor.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement this qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA. Assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the policies and guidelines for assessment of that ETQA, in terms of agreements reached around assessment and between various ETQA's (including professional bodies).
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • The options as listed above provide the opportunity to ensure that assessment and moderation can be transparent, affordable, valid reliable and non-discriminatory.

    For an applicant to register as an assessor or moderator of this qualification, the applicant needs:
  • To be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • To be in possession of the relevant qualification.
  • To have sufficient relevant experience.
  • To have the appropriate qualification to assess communication and mathematical literacy. 
    		•

    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  66349   Further Education and Training Certificate: General Forestry  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2015-06-30  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.
     
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    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.