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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Operate a skidding machine fitted with a winch in machine assisted tree felling 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117075  Operate a skidding machine fitted with a winch in machine assisted tree felling 
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 3  NQF Level 03  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 operate a skidding machine fitted with a winch in machine assisted tree felling. People credited with this standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of machine assisted tree felling
  • Adhere to safe work practices throughout the operation.
  • Use a skidding machine in machine assisted tree felling. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Demonstrate knowledge of ground-based machine extraction.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of basic safety in forestry operations.

    AND any one of the following:
  • Extract timber to a landing using a cable skidder in a production situation.
  • Extract timber to a landing using a grapple skidder in a production situation.
  • Extract timber to a landing using a tractor fitted with a skidding attachment in a production situation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Competence can be demonstrated on any skidding machine fitted with a winch, including tractors. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of machine assisted tree felling. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Situations for using machine assistance are described in terms of section 12.13.1 of the Handbook. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Methods of machine assisted felling are demonstrated in terms of 12.13.3 of the Handbook. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Relationship between "choker setter", tree feller, and skidding machine operator is explained in order to comply with safety standards. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare for machine assisted tree felling. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Safety requirements applicable to the operation are explained in terms of 12.13.2 of the Handbook. 

    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 
    Equipment and wire ropes are checked for suitability, serviceability and corrective action is taken, if required, according to manufacturer's requirements and company standard operating procedures 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Corrective action includes repairing and/or rectifying.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Work area is checked for hazards and corrective action taken according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Safe work practices are adhered to throughout preparation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Operational requirements for the operation are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Operate a skidding machine in machine assisted tree felling. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Trees are individually assessed and the appropriate method and felling direction determined. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Direct pull or indirect pull.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Machine and equipment are positioned for the task to ensure the safety of the team and that the tree falls in the desired direction. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Tree is brought to the ground in the desired direction with the assistance of the skidding machine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Communication ensures safe and effective operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Pre-determined audio and/or visual signals are used for communication to direct the skidding machine.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Operation is performed according to the operational plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    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:
  • Skidding machine
  • Winch fitted on the skidding machine
  • Equipment and wire ropes
  • Personal protective equipment

    Attributes, descriptions, characteristics and properties of:
  • Equipment and wire ropes
  • Methods of machine assisted felling
  • Hazards

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

    Purpose of:
  • Winch fitted on the skidding machine
  • Equipment and wire ropes
  • Standard operating procedures
  • Assessing trees individually

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies, standards:
  • Standard operating procedures: "Guidelines for Forest Engineering Practices in South Africa" (FESA)
  • Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) legislation

    Theory: rules, principles, laws:
  • Safety requirements
  • Positioning machines and equipment
  • Bringing down trees in the desired direction

    Relationships, systems:
  • Relationship between "choker setter", tree feller, and skidding machine operator to optimise safety 
    		•

    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 skidding machine fitted wit a winch 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage myself and my activities
  • When preparing the machine and the work area
  • When managing resources and my time 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively
  • With team members to ensure safe and effective operation 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically
  • When equipment and wire ropes are checked for suitability, serviceability. 
    		•

    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 operational requirements 
    		•

    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
    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. ENB TRAINING SERVICEPTYLTD 
    3. Furniture World Training Centre 
    4. FUTURE DISCOVERY TRAINING ACADEMY 
    5. KWAMAHLATI TRAINING SERVICES CC 
    6. Legal Environment Safety & Health Requirements cc 
    7. LOTTENBURG EDU-FARM 
    8. NEW AFRICA SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 
    9. Phambile Skills Training (Pty) Ltd 
    10. South African Forestry Training College 
    11. TAMASA TRAINING PTY LTD 
    12. TIRHANI SKILLSTRAINING PTY LTD 
    13. UMBUSO TRAINING SERVICES 
    14. UMGANO FOUNDATION NPC 
    15. VEB CELE & ASSOCIATES PTY LTD 
    16. VPK BUSINESS VENTURE C C 


    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.