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: 

Climb a tree according to safe working practices 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
262280  Climb a tree according to safe working practices 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Horticulture 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Horticulture 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10 
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 
As professionals, tree workers need to develop the practical skills and know how of negotiating their way around a tree. Safe tree climbing and descending are key requirements for the various activities of tree maintenance and general care, including tree pruning.

Qualifying learners credited with this Unit Standard will be able to:
  • Investigate operating conditions to ensure safety to candidate and environment.
  • Inspect tree and site for hazards.
  • Climb a tree according to industry standards. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 2 or an equivalent.
  • Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 2 or an equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Investigate operating conditions to ensure safety of people and environment during tree climbing operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A risk assessment is conducted for tree climbing operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Reasons for conducting risk assessment prior to tree climbing operations are given, with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Equipment and Personal Protective Clothing (PPC) needed for climbing are identified in accordance with the codes of practice and workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Functions of each piece of equipment are explained in relation to climbing operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The importance of wearing each item of the PPC is described in terms of protection offered. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    All equipment is checked for safe working condition in accordance with the codes of practice and workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Tree climbing methods are assessed to select the most appropriate to operational conditions. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Inspect tree and site for potential hazards during tree climbing operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Tree is inspected for possible hazards before climbing with respect to legislative and regulatory requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Possible hazards in relation to tree structure are identified and factored into the climbing operation plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Emergency procedures are agreed upon prior to climbing operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Site is inspected for possible hazards before climbing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Plan of action is prepared for access route into the tree. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Method, choice of anchor points, plan for movement around the crown is developed, the site is organised in respect of safety and legal requirements, effective communication systems are established, ground staffs are deployed as appropriate.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Safety requirements with respect to tree climbing operation are explained and agreed upon. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Standard operational procedures are adhered to during climbing operation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Climb a tree safely according to industry standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Tree climbing technique is observed throughout the climbing process to maintain safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Correct manoeuvres are applied to enable learner to climb up the tree to achieve the desired destination. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Branch walking standards are observed during the climbing operation to meet safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Descent from tree is done in line with site conditions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Rope is controlled and organised by the climber to smooth the descending process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Retrieval of equipment is carried out according to standard procedures. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against the unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA`s policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the associated unit standards.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    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 decision making around tree climbing operation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with ground staff when climbing and descending a tree. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage myself and my activities prior, during and post tree climbing activities. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect and analyse hazards in relation to tree climbing activities and when developing an action plan. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The qualifying learner is able to communicate effectively with key role players using relevant modes of communication when commenting on hazardous conditions and agreeing on emergency procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health and safety of others. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems when describing the consequences of incorrect risk assessment and safety procedures. 

    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  65490   National Certificate: Arboriculture: Tree Preservation  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2015-06-30  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. COALITION TRADING 1238 CC 
    3. Legal Environment Safety & Health Requirements cc 


    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.