2.1 Forest Harvesting Competency-Based Requirements
2.2 Minimum Competency Standards
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OBJECTIVES To ensure that all staff who engage in forest planning, harvest planning, and harvesting operations are competent in the use and maintenance of equipment and are able to carry out their assigned tasks effectively and efficiently. To ensure those staffs responsible for particular tasks
understand the requirements of those tasks. |
Skills and training needs assessment along with the development of minimum competency standards for forest harvesting operations should be undertaken prior to the implementation of any code of practice.
Training programs and regular refresher courses for forest concession employees and Forest Authority staff and local villagers (where appropriate) should be developed and conducted. Properly trained staff, or workers with the necessary competencies for undertaking forest harvesting and associated activities, work more safely and effectively. This leads to more efficient work practices with less downtime from injuries and machinery breakdowns.
Training should be undertaken to ensure competencies in the following areas:
Planning and survey
Understanding codes
of practice and their requirements for:
- watercourse class recognition and buffer zones;
- road location, alignment and construction;
- skid track location, alignment and construction;
- navigation techniques and equipment (e.g., compass and GPS).
Inventory and
mensuration. Tree
identification.
Aerial photography
and interpretation.
Road design and
survey.
Watercourse crossing
location and construction.
Correct marking and
recording of survey information.
Stakeholder
consultation
Equipment operation and maintenance
Certification of
skills and competencies from a recognised training institution for equipment
operators (e.g., for chainsaws, boats, harvesting and transport
machines).
Specific
competencies in safe work practices as indicated in ILO Code of Practice on
Safety and Health in Forest Work.
Understanding by
staff of the requirements of the Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in
Asia-Pacific or national codes and their individual tasks.
Harvesting and associated procedures
All staff engaged in
harvesting and associated procedures are competent to meet the needs of their
position, including:
- species recognition;- determining accurate log length and diameter measurement and assessing defect allowance;
- tree and log marking requirements;
Certification of all
log measurers. Harvesting
monitoring and post-harvest evaluation
Forest authorities, companies and training institutions should negotiate a target date for certification or attainment of competencies of all machinery and equipment operators.
It is desirable that minimum competency standards be developed for each of the following vocations:
