NZQA registered unit standard
15764 version 3
Page 1 of 5
Title
Demonstrate knowledge of sawmill operations
Level
3
Credits
15
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe
sawmill equipment and its operation; describe sawmill products
and processes; describe cutting patterns and schedules; and
describe legislative requirements relating to sawmill operations.
Classification
Solid Wood Manufacturing > Sawmilling
Available grade
Achieved
Entry information
Recommended skills
and knowledge
Unit 160, Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of
sawmilling; Unit 5847, Demonstrate knowledge of timber yard
operations; and Unit 166, Confirm log grades and scale logs; or
demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
Explanatory notes
1
Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes, but is not limited to, the: Health
and Safety in Employment Act 1992, and the Resource Management Act 1991, and
their subsequent amendments.
2
Definition
Worksite policies and procedures refer to documented policies and to documented or
other directions provided to staff. These include, but are not limited to, ways of
managing health and safety, environmental considerations, quality, and production,
and must conform to legislation. Examples include standard operating procedures,
company health and safety plans, on-site briefings, and supervisor’s instructions.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
15764 version 3
Page 2 of 5
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Describe sawmill equipment and its operation.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Saw centre specifications are described.
Range
saw centre – circular, band;
specifications – maximum and minimum input sizes, kerf, and feed
speeds.
1.2
Specification requirements for saw orientation are described in accordance with
worksite policies and procedures.
1.3
Debarker specifications are described.
Range
1.4
Types of log transport system are described.
Range
1.5
advantages,
and
types – twin frame, quad, single circular, horizontal, line bar band
resaw, centre line band resaw, edger, gang edger, breast bench,
docking;
description – operating principles, roles, and limitations;
evidence is required for five types.
The role and benefits of types of computerised equipment are described.
Range
1.7
types – carriage, sharp chain, end dogging;
description
–
operating
principles,
disadvantages.
Types of secondary saw centre are described.
Range
1.6
specifications – allowable bark in chip, issues relating to chip
quality, and maximum and minimum input sizes.
computerised equipment – scanners, board trimmers, cameras,
setworks, slabbers, bin sorters, docking systems, log
positioning/turning equipment.
Chipper specifications are described.
Range
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
chip size and quality, maximum and minimum input sizes.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
15764 version 3
Page 3 of 5
Outcome 2
Describe sawmill products and processes.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Grade, finish and value of timber products are described.
Range
examples of timber products are – finger jointed timber, structural
timber, clears;
evidence is required for five.
2.2
Differences in nominal and target sizes of timber are identified.
2.3
Monitoring requirements and aims are outlined in accordance with worksite
policies and procedures.
Range
2.4
Data collection and its application to size control in sawmilling are described.
Range
2.5
methods – dip, spray.
The impacts of kerf in sawmilling operations are explained.
Range
2.7
data collection – manual, computerised.
Application methods for antisapstain are identified and described in accordance
with worksite policies and procedures.
Range
2.6
monitoring – operator and downstream.
impacts may include – recovery, conversion, production, saw life,
maintenance.
Packet build and packaging requirements are interpreted from Occupational
Safety and Health (OSH), customer, and/or worksite policies and procedures.
Range
requirements – fillet placement, number of boards across, height.
Outcome 3
Describe cutting patterns and schedules used in sawmill operations.
Evidence requirements
3.1
The use of cutting patterns and cutting schedules to maximise grade recovery
or volume, and production value are described.
3.2
Log types are matched with cutting schedules.
Range
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
pruned butt logs, unpruned sawlogs.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
15764 version 3
Page 4 of 5
3.3
The effects of alterations to cutting patterns on product quality and mill flow are
described.
3.4
Options for use of defect cores are identified in accordance with worksite
policies and procedures.
3.5
The concept of best opening face is described.
description includes reference to – best sellable size, best face
first, and best face last.
Range
Outcome 4
Describe legislative requirements relating to sawmill operations.
Evidence requirements
4.1
Occupational health and safety matters relating to sawmill operations are
explained in accordance with legislative requirements and worksite policies and
procedures.
Range
4.2
induction and training requirements, maximum work hours,
accident and incident requirements, hazard identification,
emergency procedures, safety committee operation, safety
representatives.
Environmental matters relating to sawmill operations are explained in
accordance with legislative requirements and worksite policies and procedures.
Range
disposal and use of log and wood residues, restrictions on site
operations, storage and disposal of chemicals and chemically
treated product, chemical spillage procedures.
Planned review date
31 December 2013
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
10 February 1999
31 December 2012
Review
2
18 December 2006
31 December 2012
Rollover and
Revision
3
15 April 2011
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0173
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
15764 version 3
Page 5 of 5
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The
CMR 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.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016