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: 

Choke and dechoke timber during extraction with a skidding machine fitted with a winch in a production situation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117043  Choke and dechoke timber during extraction with a skidding machine fitted with a winch 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
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 choke and dechoke timber during extraction with a skidding machine fitted with a winch in a production situation.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Prepare for choking and dechoking.
  • Choke timber for extraction with a skidding machine.
  • Dechoke timber on the landing. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Demonstrate knowledge of choking and dechoking timber.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of basic safety in forestry operations. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Demonstration of competence will take place "on-the-job" in a production situation. Competence can be demonstrated either on tree lengths or log lengths or bundles in conjunction with skidders or tractors fitted with a winch. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Prepare for choking and dechoking. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Self, other workers, equipment, operational plan, general work area. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Safety requirements applicable to the operation are explained to minimise the effect of hazards on the operation. 

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

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Maximum loading capability of the skidding machine and the winch is explained according to manufacturer's requirements and varying conditions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Varying conditions include underfoot conditions and slope.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Choking equipment and winch line are checked for suitability, completeness and serviceability, and corrective action is taken, if required. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Choking equipment is assembled onto winch line in terms of the requirements of the operation and the manufacturer. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Operational requirements are explained in terms of extraction routes, slopes, landing locations, special management zones, timber flow and production target. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Work areas are checked for hazards and corrective action taken according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Safe work practices are adhered to throughout preparation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Choke timber for extraction with a skidding machine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Communication with the skidding machine operator ensures safe and effective operation during the positioning of the skidding machine, haul-out, break-out and haul-in. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Skidding machine and choking equipment are correctly positioned before choking commences to ensure ease of haul-out, break-out and haul-in. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Timber to comprise a load is selected according to position and size to ensure optimal load size and ease of operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Timber is choked and break-out effected. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Attaching sequence of timber, choking techniques, positioning of choker, tensioning of choker, avoid acute angles to machine or fairlead.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Standard operating procedures and safe work practices are adhered to throughout the operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Choking is performed to meet operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Timber damage and breakage are minimised, choking complements other phases of the operation, work rate meets pre-determined production target.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Dechoke timber on the landing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Communication with the skidding machine operator ensures safe and effective operation during dechoking on the landing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Standard operating procedures and safe work practices are adhered to throughout dechoking. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Dechoking is performed to meet operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Timber damage and breakage are minimised, dechoking complements other phases of the operation, timber is dechoked in the pre-determined positions on the landing, work rate meets pre-determined production target.
     


    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
  • Choking equipment
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

    Attributes, descriptions, characteristics and properties of:
  • Safety procedures
  • Extraction routes
  • Slopes
  • Landing locations
  • Special management zones
  • Timber flow
  • Production target.

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

    Purpose of:
  • Communication with the skidding machine operator
  • Choking and dechoking

    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:
  • Timber damage and breakage are minimised
  • Dechoking complements other phases of the operation
  • Timber is dechoked in the pre-determined positions on the landing
  • Work rate meets pre-determined production target.

    Relationships, systems:
  • Factors influencing choking and dechoking productivity 
    		•

    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 choking and dechoking of timber during extraction with a skidding machine fitted with a winch in a production situation 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage myself and my activities
  • When complying with safety standards and to optimise production
  • When managing resources and my time 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively
  • When completing and processing documentation
  • When submitting reports and/or reporting to the relevant department 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically
  • When using special tools and equipment safely and effectively during the operation 
    		•

    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  50225   General Education and Training Certificate: General Forestry  Level 1  NQF Level 01  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. AMOS / KGAPHAMADI COMMUNITY ORGANISATION 
    3. Arden School of Management (Pty) Ltd 
    4. ASSURED VOCATIONAL SKILLS INSTITUTE PTY LTD 
    5. EKURHULENI ARTISANS & SKILLS TRAINING CENTRE PTY LTD 
    6. ENB TRAINING SERVICEPTYLTD 
    7. Furniture World Training Centre 
    8. FUTURE DISCOVERY TRAINING ACADEMY 
    9. GNBR SOLUTIONS PTY LTD 
    10. INTUTHUKO YESIZWE COMMUNITY ORGANISATION NPO 
    11. INYAPA VHUSIKU CONSULTING PTY LTD 
    12. ITHEMBA LOMPHAKATHI COMMUNITY ORGANISATION 
    13. KWAMAHLATI TRAINING SERVICES CC 
    14. Legal Environment Safety & Health Requirements cc 
    15. LOTTENBURG EDU-FARM 
    16. MALITINNE PTY LTD 
    17. MUKWEVHO TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT 
    18. NEW AFRICA SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 
    19. NOKUSHOM CONSULTANCY & TRADING PTY LTD 
    20. Nurture-Nature Resources (Pty) Ltd 
    21. Optimi Workplace 
    22. Phambile Skills Training (Pty) Ltd 
    23. PINUS TECH TECHNOLOGIES TRADING AND PROJECTS 
    24. Premier Agric (Pty) Ltd 
    25. Redefined Skills Training & Development (Pty) Ltd 
    26. SINOVUYOLETHU TRADING PTY LTD 
    27. South African Forestry Training College 
    28. SPLS CONSULTANTS PTY LTD 
    29. TAMASA TRAINING PTY LTD 
    30. The Brokers Learning Centre 
    31. TIRHANI SKILLSTRAINING PTY LTD 
    32. UMBUSO TRAINING SERVICES 
    33. UMGANO FOUNDATION NPC 
    34. VCK TRAINING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES PTY LTD 
    35. VEB CELE & ASSOCIATES PTY LTD 
    36. VPK BUSINESS VENTURE C C 
    37. WORKPLACE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP TALENT SOLUTIONS 
    38. 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.