NZQA Expiring unit standard
141 version 6
Page 1 of 5
Title
Operate a mechanical stress grading machine to grade timber
Level
4
Credits
20
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: demonstrate
knowledge of the operation and operating principles of
mechanical stress grader (MSG) machines; prepare to operate,
operate, and monitor the performance of a MSG machine.
Classification
Solid Wood Manufacturing > Timber Grading
Available grade
Achieved
Entry information
Recommended skills
and knowledge
Unit 20754, Demonstrate knowledge of mechanical stress
grading of timber; or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and
skills.
Explanatory notes
1
Definition
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
International and national standards relevant to this unit are:
AS/NZS 1748:2006 Timber – Mechanically stress-graded for structural purposes;
NZS 3622: 2004 Verification of timber properties;
AS/NZS 4490:1997 Timber – Stress-graded – Procedures for monitoring structural
properties;
AS/NZS 4063:1992 Timber – Stress-graded – In-grade strength and stiffness
evaluation.
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.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
c
141 version 6
Page 2 of 5
All evidence of communications gathered in relation to this unit standard must
be in accordance with worksite procedures for content, recipient, timing and
method.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of the operation and operating principles of mechanical stress
grader (MSG) machines.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Purpose of the MSG machine and the operation of a grading machine are
described in accordance with worksite documentation.
1.2
Components of the MSG machine are described in accordance with worksite
documentation.
Range
components may include but are not limited to – in-feed and outfeed rollers, load cylinder(s) and associated air pressure system,
transducers, photocells, acoustic hammer, grade branding or
spraying system, computer and memory system.
1.3
List four product downgrading characteristics that may not be detected by the
MSG machine.
1.4
The identification grades and colours for all MSG grades that are detailed by
NZS 3622 are identified.
Range
1.5
species – Douglas Fir, Radiata Pine;
market – export, domestic.
Roles and responsibilities of the MSG machine operator are described in
accordance with worksite documentation.
Outcome 2
Prepare to operate a MSG machine.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Start-up checks, cleaning, and adjustment of components are completed in
accordance with worksite documentation.
2.2
Calibration is carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s or worksite
documentation.
2.3
The operating schedule is identified and described in accordance with worksite
documentation.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
141 version 6
Page 3 of 5
Outcome 3
Operate a MSG machine.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Hazards associated with operating a mechanical stress-grading machine are
identified and actions to be taken to isolate, minimise or eliminate the hazards
are described in accordance with worksite documentation.
Range
3.2
hazards may include but are not limited to – moving equipment,
mobile plant, noise, loose clothing.
Safe work practices associated with operating a mechanical stress-grading
machine are used in accordance with worksite documentation and legislative
requirements.
Range
safety practices may include but are not limited to – isolation
procedures, lock-outs, emergency stops, machine guarding,
wearing of appropriate safety equipment.
3.3
Machine is operated in a production environment in accordance with the
manufacturer's specifications.
3.4
Machine parameters are adjusted to meet the requirements of the operating
schedule in accordance with worksite documentation.
3.5
Samples are removed for verification checks and data relating to the samples
are recorded in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations.
3.6
Housekeeping procedures are carried out in accordance with the
manufacturer’s and legislative requirements and worksite documentation.
Outcome 4
Monitor performance of a MSG machine.
Evidence requirements
4.1
Operating faults are recognised and corrective action is taken in accordance
with worksite documentation.
Range
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
operating faults may include but are not limited to –
incorrect machine settings – incorrect size parameters, transducer
settings, air pressure settings;
mechanical faults – timber breakages, transducer breakages or
moving out of adjustment and/or position, sticking solenoids, load
arms not measuring properly.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
141 version 6
Page 4 of 5
4.2
Verification checks are compared to MSG recordings for each batch or rolling
sample, and the MSG machine is recalibrated in line with verification outcomes,
in accordance with worksite documentation.
4.3
Spraying and/or branding delivery systems are checked and replenished to
meet manufacturer's specifications or worksite documentation.
4.4
Test samples are taken for analysis to meet the requirements of NZS 3622, and
AS/NZS 4490.
4.5
Records are analysed and stored in accordance with worksite documentation.
Replacement information
This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard
28116 and unit standard 28117.
This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by
the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
5 July 1993
31 December 2014
Review
2
24 October 1996
31 December 2014
Review
3
10 February 1999
31 December 2014
Review
4
18 December 2006
31 December 2015
Review
5
20 March 2014
31 December 2018
Rollover
6
19 November 2015
31 December 2018
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0173
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
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 (CMR). The
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
141 version 6
Page 5 of 5
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.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016