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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD: 

Fell trees with a chainsaw using the standard technique and felling levers 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117062  Fell trees with a chainsaw using the standard technique and felling levers 
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 2  NQF Level 02  2 
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 with a chainsaw using the standard technique and felling levers. People credited with this unit are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of factors influencing efficiencies in tree felling.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of safety during felling.
  • Fell trees with a chainsaw using the standard technique and felling levers. 
    		•

    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. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of factors influencing efficiencies in tree felling. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Implications of unplanned felling and lack of controls during felling are explained in terms of cost, safety, operational efficiency and physical environmental impacts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The role of the feller as part of a team is explained in terms of complying with safety standards and to optimise production. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Factors influencing felling productivity are stated in terms of section 10.2 of the Handbook. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Factors on which the felling direction depends, are stated in terms of section 10.3 of the Handbook. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Timber losses and felling quality requirements are explained in terms of section 10.7 and 10.8 of the Handbook. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Effects of over and under production in felling are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Effects on subsequent operations, quality, team work, safety.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Consequences of cuts not properly lined up are explained in terms of 10.11.4 of the Handbook. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge of safety during felling. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Requirements for entering felling zones are explained in terms of section 10.4 of the Handbook. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Safety requirements during felling are explained in terms of section 10.5 of the Handbook. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The requirements in preparing for felling are stated in terms of section 10.9 of the Handbook. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Procedures for taking down hung-up trees are described in terms of section 10.12 of the Handbook. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Procedures for taking down cut-up trees are described in terms of section 10.14 of the Handbook. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Fell trees with a chainsaw using the standard technique and felling levers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Purpose, sequence and requirements of cuts for the standard technique are described in terms of section 10.11.1 of the Handbook. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Trees are felled using the standard technique complying with section 10.10 regarding felling position, section 10.11.1 regarding the cuts, section 10.5 regarding safety and section 10.8 regarding quality. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Purpose of felling aids and felling levers are explained in terms of sections 10.6.1 and 10.6.2 of the Handbook. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Felling lever is used to assist in felling trees that lean the opposite way to the felling direction complying with section 10.11.2.3 regarding technique, section 10.5 regarding safety and section 10.8 regarding quality. 


    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 
    1. Names and functions of:
  • Chainsaw
  • Chainsaw equipment
  • Personal Protective Equipment

    2. Attributes, descriptions, characteristics and properties of:
  • Tree felling
  • Operational requirements for tree felling

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

    4. Purpose of:
  • Purpose of felling aids and felling levers
  • Tree felling
  • The role of the feller as part of a team
  • Standard operating procedures
  • Safe work practices

    5. 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

    6. Theory: rules, principles, laws:
  • Factors on which the felling direction depends
  • Implications of unplanned felling and lack of controls

    7. Relationships, systems:
  • Felling trees with a chainsaw in relation to maintaining safety and productivity and safety in the workplace 
    		•

    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 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage myself and my activities
  • When demonstrating knowledge of factors influencing efficiencies in felling
  • When managing resources and my time 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively
  • When implications of unplanned felling and lack of controls are explained
  • When factors on which the felling direction depends are explained
  • When the role of the feller as part of a team is explained
  • When standard operating procedures are explained 
    		•

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

    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 planning, preparation and completion of the felling process 
    		•

    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  50266   National Certificate: Forestry: Silviculture  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  FPMSETA 
    Elective  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. Arden School of Management (Pty) Ltd 
    3. Blanket Security and SHEQ Solutions 
    4. COALITION TRADING 1238 CC 
    5. ENB TRAINING SERVICEPTYLTD 
    6. Furniture World Training Centre 
    7. FUTURE DISCOVERY TRAINING ACADEMY 
    8. INYAPA VHUSIKU CONSULTING PTY LTD 
    9. Khumo-Matlo Training and Projects (Pty) Ltd 
    10. KWAMAHLATI TRAINING SERVICES CC 
    11. Legal Environment Safety & Health Requirements cc 
    12. Longata Consultant 
    13. LOTTENBURG EDU-FARM 
    14. Malitinne (Pty) Ltd 
    15. MUKWEVHO TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT 
    16. NEW AFRICA SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 
    17. Ngcebo Consulting (Pty) Ltd 
    18. Nolwazi Dev Centre (Pty) Ltd 
    19. Ntunzela Trading Enterprise 
    20. Optimum Capacity (Pty) Ltd 
    21. Pest Management Academy 
    22. Phambile Skills Training (Pty) Ltd 
    23. Phezukomkhono Training Services 
    24. Premier Agric (Pty) Ltd 
    25. Redefined Skills Training & Development (Pty) Ltd 
    26. SINOVUYOLETHU TRADING PTY LTD 
    27. South African Forestry Training College 
    28. TAMASA TRAINING PTY LTD 
    29. Thunderflex3 Pty (Ltd) 
    30. Tirhani SkillsTraining Pty Ltd 
    31. Tower City Trading 100 
    32. Try Easy Electrical Solutions 
    33. UMBUSO TRAINING SERVICES 
    34. UMGANO FOUNDATION NPC 
    35. VEB CELE & ASSOCIATES PTY LTD 
    36. VPK BUSINESS VENTURE C C 
    37. Yangantle Trading 


    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.