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Confirm log grades and scale logs
Level
3
Credits
10
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: manage hazards
associated with confirming log grades and scaling logs; demonstrate
knowledge of the reasons for log grading; identify and confirm log grades;
describe log scaling procedures; describe features of log scaling; scale logs
and use conversion factors to calculate log volumes.
Subfield
Wood Handling and Distribution
Domain
Wood Preparation
Status
Registered
Status date
18 December 2006
Date version published
18 December 2006
Planned review date
31 December 2011
Entry information
Recommended: Unit 8008, Demonstrate knowledge of
log yard operations; and Unit 736, Demonstrate
knowledge of tree growth and physical characteristics of
wood; or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
Accreditation
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and
industry.
Standard setting body (SSB)
Competenz
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0173
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Special notes
1
Definitions
Industry best practice refers to minimum standards for forest operations as described
in: Forest Industry Best Practice Guidelines (Auckland: Competenz, 2000) and
available from Competenz, PO Box 9005, Newmarket, Auckland 1149.
Log scaling refers to the measurement of log dimensions and calculation of log
volumes.
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Worksite documentation refers to instructions to staff on policy and procedures
(including the application of legislation to worksite situations), which are formally
documented, and are available for reference at the worksite. Examples are standard
operating procedures, specifications, manuals, and manufacturer's information.
2
Reference in this unit standard to the Code of Practice refers to the Approved Code
of Practice for Safety and Health in Forest Operations (Wellington: Occupational
Safety and Health Service, Department of Labour, 1999) available at
http://www.osh.govt.nz.
3
The following apply to the performance of all elements of this unit standard:
a
All work practices must meet recognised codes of practice and documented
worksite health and safety and environmental procedures (where these exceed
the code) for personal, product and worksite health and safety, and must meet
the obligations required under current legislation, including the Health and
Safety in Employment Act 1992, the Resource Management Act 1991, and their
subsequent amendments.
b
All work practices must meet documented worksite operating procedures. This
includes the recording (by electronic or non-electronic means) of activities,
events, and decisions.
c
All evidence of communications gathered in relation to this unit standard must
be in accordance with worksite procedures for content, recipient, timing and
method.
Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Manage hazards associated with confirming log grades and scaling logs.
Performance criteria
1.1
Hazards associated with confirming log grades are identified and actions to be
taken to isolate, minimise or eliminate the hazard are described in accordance
with the code of practice and worksite documentation.
Range
1.2
mobile plant, dust, noise, moving logs.
Safe work practices associated with confirming log grades are identified and
used in accordance with the code of practice, legislative requirements and
worksite documentation.
Range
practices may include but are not limited to – isolation procedures,
lock-outs, working around mobile plant, wearing appropriate safety
equipment.
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Element 2
Demonstrate knowledge of the reasons for log grading.
Performance criteria
2.1
Reasons for purchasing to a uniform log size and quality are explained.
Range
2.2
production throughput, recovery, saleable product mix, profitability.
Relative values of current log grades are identified.
Range
economic, grade and conversion recovery.
Element 3
Identify and confirm log grades.
Performance criteria
3.1
Log grade specifications are interpreted in terms of log characteristics.
Range
log characteristics may include but are not limited to – length,
pruned or unpruned, small end diameter, largest single branch,
sweep class and minimum internode length index, mechanical or
insect damage, draw wood, sapstain, decay, butt flare, nodal
swelling, wobble.
3.2
Grade marks are identified from suppliers’ marks, brands and delivery dockets.
3.3
Log characteristics are measured, calculated, and compared with log grade
specifications in accordance with worksite purchasing requirements.
3.4
Supplied log grades and lengths are confirmed according to customer
specifications.
Element 4
Describe log scaling procedures.
Performance criteria
4.1
Procedures for rule, tape, and calliper placement are described in accordance
with industry best practice.
4.2
Methods for determining log volume are described.
Range
4.3
evidence of two methods is required.
Interpretation of loader and weighbridge weigh scales are described in
accordance with industry best practice.
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Element 5
Describe features of log scaling.
Performance criteria
5.1
Calibration of log scaling equipment is described in accordance with industry
best practice.
Range
tapes, rules, callipers.
5.2
Checks for accuracy of log scaling data using scaling equipment and recording
methods are described in accordance with worksite documentation and industry
best practice.
5.3
Description explains how sample loads for weight scale factors are planned and
identified in accordance with worksite documentation and industry best practice.
5.4
The requirement for weight-to-volume conversion factors is explained in
accordance with industry best practice.
5.5
Derivation of weight-to-volume conversion factors is explained in accordance
with industry best practice.
Element 6
Scale logs and use conversion factors to calculate log volumes.
Performance criteria
6.1
Log dimensions are measured, and the volume is calculated from the
dimensions.
Range
6.2
volumes of five logs are calculated from data obtained using
computer and/or calculator.
Volume is calculated from weight using a weights scale factor.
Range
three weights of log loads.
Please note
Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority, or an inter-institutional body
with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from
assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority before
they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
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Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Competenz at info@competenz.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes
to the content of this unit standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016