Assessor Resource

AHCBIO403A
Plan and implement a biosecurity program

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit applies to site managers in animal production facilities and covers the work involved in taking responsibility for maintaining protection for animals from transmissible diseases.

This unit covers the planning and implementation of a biosecurity program and defines the standard required to: establish a biosecure area for an animal enterprise; manage visitor access and the storage and movement of inputs and outputs for biosecurity; develop sanitation procedures to reduce the risk of disease; apply integrated pest management practices to control pests in a biosecure area; train staff in biosecurity procedures; review biosecurity status based on records system.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

establish a biosecure area for an animal enterprise

manage visitor access and the storage and movement of inputs and outputs for biosecurity

develop sanitation procedures to reduce the risk of disease

apply integrated pest management practices to control pests in a biosecure area

train staff in biosecurity procedures

review biosecurity status based on records system.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge, skill and application using more than one of the following assessment methods: oral/written questions, professional conversations, direct observation, third-party evidence, performance audit and portfolio.

Guidance information for assessment

Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated environments.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

develop safe operating procedures

manage and maintain quarantine

implement and monitor on-farm sanitation

disinfect production facilities

planning and implementing pest control strategies

use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, develop sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of tasks

use oral communication skills / language competence to fulfill the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine and more complex workplace measures and data

use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

diseases that pose a threat and their likely causes of spread

principles of risk management applied to biosecurity

requirements for personal hygiene and quarantine procedures for site entry

principles of disinfecting a site

safe use of chemicals and cleaning agents

integrated pest management and rotation of chemical pest controls

cleaning and disinfecting procedures

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), environmental and biosecurity legislation, codes of practice and enterprise procedures

record keeping requirements

reporting incidents or issues

safety practices related to use of equipment and materials used in cleaning and pest control.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Animals may include:

pigs

poultry.

Biosecurity may include:

isolation or quarantine through physical barriers as well as hygiene practices to prevent importing pathogens onto the site, or from spreading if they are able to enter the site.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
A controlled access perimeter is maintained to funnel authorised traffic through control points. 
Procedures are established and implemented for all staff and equipment to cross the controlled access perimeter into the controlled access zone. 
Entry of workers and equipment into the controlled access zone is restricted by transferring inputs, waste and products through access points on the controlled access perimeter. 
Restricted access perimeters and restricted access zones for each shed are maintained. 
Access to sheds is prioritised, based on the risks and potential impacts of infection being carried to the animals being housed in them. 
The risk level of visitors is defined by gathering information before the visit and during sign in. 
Procedures for higher risk visitors such as veterinarians, catchers and vaccinating crews are established. 
Clear signage is maintained to direct traffic and discourage unauthorised visitors. 
The requirements for entry are communicated to visitors before they arrive on site. 
Visitor parking is kept separate so that staff vehicle or traffic ways don't become contaminated. 
A questionnaire is developed to be completed and signed by visitors to establish their risk levels. 
Criteria for banning visitors are set down including those who fail to make pre-arrangements. 
Visitor log books are maintained to allow traceability of any subsequent disease issues. 
Drainage is monitored and adjusted to ensure water doesn't collect and stand. 
Hygiene and clothing procedures for entry to the site are put in place and monitored. 
Well-defined transition zones are established and maintained for entering barns or rooms. 
Disinfectants that are appropriate for surfaces and water quality are selected for use. 
Standard operating procedures for cleaning and sanitising facilities, tools and equipment are developed and implemented. 
Staff movements and animal exposures are from most susceptible animals to least susceptible. 
Boot dips are used correctly and recharged frequently. 
Facilities are maintained to eliminate potential points of entry for pests. 
All inputs such as feed, animals and bedding are screened to reduce the likelihood of pests being introduced. 
Pest numbers are monitored through the use of counts or other indicators. 
Good sanitation and hygiene is used to break pest cycles and eliminate pest habitat. 
Pests are controlled or excluded from output storage areas. 
Pest numbers are reduced by use of an integrated approach using a combination of biological, chemical, behavioural and mechanical controls. 
Pesticides are rotated periodically to overcome resistance in pest populations. 
Sufficient time is allowed between groups of animals in a shed to break the pest cycle. 
Pest control measures are documented and evaluated in response to effectiveness over time. 
Farm outputs such as garbage, manure and bedding are removed and stored for removal or disposal. 
Storage areas for farm outputs are located in low-traffic areas and managed to prevent cross-contamination and comply with environmental legislation. 
A manure management strategy is put in place with emphasis on sale or recycling. 
A mortality management strategy is implemented using alternatives such as burial, composting, rendering or incineration. 
Record keeping of biosecurity procedures is used to reduce risk of disease. 
Effectiveness and progress of control activities are monitored and compared with planned objectives. 
Standards and protocols for the monitoring of sheds and facilities are carried out as part of work duties. 
Issues and concerns with biosecurity are addressed and procedures amended where required. 
Control activities are revised as required to address relevant protocols, maintain cost-effectiveness (including appropriate resource allocation) and contain wider impacts. 
Staff training and induction records are reviewed to ensure they are able to implement all biosecurity requirements appropriate to their position. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCBIO403A - Plan and implement a biosecurity program
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

AHCBIO403A - Plan and implement a biosecurity program

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: