17961 version 2

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Tally random width timber

Level / 2
Credits / 3

PurposePeople credited with this unit standard are able to: manage hazards associated with tallying random width timber; calculate board footage (volume) of random width timber pieces; and complete tally sheets for random width timber.

This unit standard is for people who are, or intend to be, employed in the solid wood manufacturing industry.

Subfield / Wood Handling and Distribution
Domain / Timber Yarding
Status / Registered
Status date / 18 December 2006
Date version published / 18 December 2006
Planned review date / 31 December 2011
Entry information / Open.
Accreditation / Evaluation of documentation by NZQA and industry.
Standard setting body (SSB) / Competenz
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference / 0173

This AMAP can be accessed at

Special notes

1Definitions

Timber and lumber are used to describe sawn product in a variety of shapes.

Worksite documentation refers to instructions to staff on policy and procedures (including the application of legislation to worksite situations), which are formally documented, and are available for reference at the worksite. Examples are standard operating procedures, specifications, manuals, and manufacturer’s information.

2The following apply to the performance of all elements of this unit standard:

aAll work practices must meet recognised codes of practice and documented worksite health and safety and environmental procedures (where these exceed the code) for personal, product and worksite health and safety, and must meet the obligations required under current legislation, including the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, and its subsequent amendments.

bAll work practices must meet documented worksite operating procedures. This includes the recording (by electronic or non-electronic means) of activities, events, and decisions.

cAll evidence of communications gathered in relation to this unit standard must be in accordance with worksite procedures for content, recipient, timing and method.

3Performance criteria 2.2 and 2.3 must be demonstrated and assessed in accordance with the reference text Western Lumber Grading Rules 05 (Portland: Western Wood Products Association (WWPA), 1998). This is available from WWPA, 522 SW Fifth Ave, Portland, Oregon 97204-2122, USA, or online at This document is referred to below as ‘USA WWPA Rules’.

4Evidence of elements 1 and 3 must be presented in a workplace environment. A calculator may be used for element 2.

Elements and performance criteria

Element 1

Manage hazards associated with tallying random width timber.

Performance criteria

1.1Hazards associated with tallying random width timber are identified and actions to be taken to isolate, minimise or eliminate the hazard are described in accordance with worksite documentation.

Rangehazards may include but are not limited to – moving equipment, mobile plant, noise.

1.2Safe work practices associated with tallying random width timber are identified and used in accordance with legislative requirements and worksite documentation.

Rangepractices may include but are not limited to – isolation procedures, lock-outs, emergency stops, machine guarding, the wearing of appropriate safety equipment.

Element 2

Calculate board footage (volume) of random width timber pieces.

Performance criteria

2.1Timber lengths are determined, using a measuring device and rounded down to the nearest whole foot.

Rangeevidence is required of at least six different lengths.

2.2Board footages (volumes) are determined using a shop stick in accordance with USA WWPA Rules.

Rangeevidence is required of at least two thicknesses selected from 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 7/4, and 8/4 inches.

2.3Board footages (volumes) are adjusted for scaling off in accordance with USA WWPA Rules.

Element 3

Complete tally sheets for random width timber.

Performance criteria

3.1Board footages are recorded in accordance with worksite documentation.

3.2The number of timber pieces per layer, and the total number of pieces per timber packet, are calculated and recorded in accordance with worksite documentation.

3.3Packet volumes are calculated in cubic metres or board feet and recorded in accordance with worksite documentation.

Rangetimber thicknesses – 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 7/4, 8/4 inches;

evidence is required of two.

3.4Tally sheets are completed and packet identified in accordance with worksite documentation.

Rangetally sheet documentation may include but is not limited to – packet identification, size, grade, condition, date.

3.5Tally sheets are distributed in accordance with worksite documentation.

Please note

Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.

Comments on this unit standard

Please contact the Competenz at if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018