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: 

Debranch felled trees using a chainsaw in a production situation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117061  Debranch felled trees using a chainsaw in a production situation 
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  3 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
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 debranch felled trees using a chainsaw in a production situation. People credited with this unit are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of factors influencing efficiencies in debranching.
  • Prepare for debranching.
  • Debranch felled trees in a production situation complying with operational requirements. 
    		•

    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 
  • Demonstration of competence will take place "on-the-job" in a production situation. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of factors influencing efficiencies in debranching. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

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

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The role of the debrancher as part of a team is explained in order to comply with safety standards and to optimise production. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Factors influencing debranching productivity are stated in terms of section 11.2 of the Handbook. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare for debranching. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Self, other workers, equipment, operational plan, general work area. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Safety requirements applicable to the specific operation are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All personal protective equipment required, is checked for functionality and used in terms of company policy and legal requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Chainsaw and equipment are checked for completeness and serviceability, and corrective action is taken, if required. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Operational requirements for the debranching operation are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Production target, slash management, debranching quality, timber flow and special management zones.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    General work area is check for hazards and corrective action taken according to standard operating procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Debranch felled trees in a production situation complying with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Trees are debranched using effective techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Debranching is performed to meet operational plan requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Slash management, quality of debranching, debranching complements other phases of the operation, work rate meets pre-determined production target, special management zones are protected.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Standard operating procedures and safe work practices are adhered to throughout the operation. 


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

    Attributes, descriptions, characteristics and properties of:
  • Debranching
  • Operational requirements for debranching

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

    Purpose of:
  • Debranching
  • The role of the debrancher as part of a team
  • Standard operating procedures
  • Safe work practices

    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

    Theory: rules, principles, laws:
  • Implications of unplanned debranching and lack of controls
  • Factors influencing debranching productivity

    Relationships, systems:
  • Debranching 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 in a production environment 
    		•

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

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

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively
  • When implications of unplanned debranching and lack of controls during debranching are explained
  • When factors influencing debranching productivity are stated
  • When the role of the debrancher 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 debranching 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  Reregistered  2023-06-30  FPMSETA 
    Core  48988   National Certificate: Forestry: Timber Harvesting  Level 3  NQF Level 03  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.
     
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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.