Assessor Resource

AHCSHG204
Shear sheep to improver level

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to select, handle and shear sheep under supervision to improver level.

Improver level is defined as shearing a minimum of 80 adult merino sheep or 100 adult crossbred sheep per day to industry standards.

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity legislation and codes, and sustainability practices.

This unit applies to individuals who work under broad supervision and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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



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.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare for shearing

1.1 Check shearing equipment for correct operation prior to shearing session

1.2 Identify potential and existing hazards in the workplace and report to the supervisor

1.3 Select, use and maintain suitable personal protective equipment

1.4 Identify, catch sheep and move to required location in line with organisational, work health and safety, industry and animal welfare standards

2. Perform shearing operations

2.1 Position sheep for shearing using identified positions

2.2 Activate handpiece and position in readiness for shearing operations

2.3 Shear sheep using identified method and positions

2.4 Use shearing methods that ensure that injuries and damage to the sheep and fleece is avoided while meeting volume expectations

2.5 Use safe and humane handling techniques at all times

3. Respond to complications

3.1 Identify contamination during shearing operations and report to wool handlers

3.2 Suture sheep cuts as required

3.3 Identify flyblown sheep and report

3.4 Identify problem sheep and report

4. Complete shearing operation

4.1 Place wool to avoid contamination and for wool handlers to collect

4.2 Set handpiece to non-operational position and store

4.3 Release sheep safely from the board into the count-out pens

4.4 Report shearing grievances and difficulties

4.5 Follow enterprise biosecurity policies where required

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must be observed shearing a minimum of 80 adult merino sheep or 100 adult crossbred sheep per day to industry standards.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

identify hazards and follow safety directions

select and use equipment and materials appropriate for shearing sheep

avoid contamination, second cuts and damage to wool, sheep and people

shear sufficient sheep within eight hours to match skill level as per industry award minimum rate of pay for learner shearers

suture cuts to sheep

catch and release sheep safely

demonstrate safe and responsible workplace practices

provide due care and handle sheep humanely

clean and maintain shearing equipment, site and facilities

communicate problems, faults and workplace hazards, and to comprehend instructions provided by the owner or overseer

tally shorn sheep count

apply enterprise work health and safety policies in the context of own work

apply enterprise animal welfare policies in the context of own work

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

types of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens

shearing machinery required and their relative functions

industry shearing techniques and positions and method of shearing

aspects of safe handling techniques for catching, dragging, shearing and releasing sheep

basic anatomy of male and female sheep as it relates to the safe humane removal of wool

common sheep diseases

the impacts of sheep behaviour on moving and handling sheep and shearing sheep

personal protective clothing and equipment, and when and how it should be used

Federal and/or State shearing awards and agreements associated with shearing sheep

enterprise biosecurity policies applying to the job role

work health and safety legislation and codes of practice applying to the job role

animal welfare legislation and codes of practice applying to the job role

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or workplace and simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.


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.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare for shearing

1.1 Check shearing equipment for correct operation prior to shearing session

1.2 Identify potential and existing hazards in the workplace and report to the supervisor

1.3 Select, use and maintain suitable personal protective equipment

1.4 Identify, catch sheep and move to required location in line with organisational, work health and safety, industry and animal welfare standards

2. Perform shearing operations

2.1 Position sheep for shearing using identified positions

2.2 Activate handpiece and position in readiness for shearing operations

2.3 Shear sheep using identified method and positions

2.4 Use shearing methods that ensure that injuries and damage to the sheep and fleece is avoided while meeting volume expectations

2.5 Use safe and humane handling techniques at all times

3. Respond to complications

3.1 Identify contamination during shearing operations and report to wool handlers

3.2 Suture sheep cuts as required

3.3 Identify flyblown sheep and report

3.4 Identify problem sheep and report

4. Complete shearing operation

4.1 Place wool to avoid contamination and for wool handlers to collect

4.2 Set handpiece to non-operational position and store

4.3 Release sheep safely from the board into the count-out pens

4.4 Report shearing grievances and difficulties

4.5 Follow enterprise biosecurity policies where required

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must be observed shearing a minimum of 80 adult merino sheep or 100 adult crossbred sheep per day to industry standards.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

identify hazards and follow safety directions

select and use equipment and materials appropriate for shearing sheep

avoid contamination, second cuts and damage to wool, sheep and people

shear sufficient sheep within eight hours to match skill level as per industry award minimum rate of pay for learner shearers

suture cuts to sheep

catch and release sheep safely

demonstrate safe and responsible workplace practices

provide due care and handle sheep humanely

clean and maintain shearing equipment, site and facilities

communicate problems, faults and workplace hazards, and to comprehend instructions provided by the owner or overseer

tally shorn sheep count

apply enterprise work health and safety policies in the context of own work

apply enterprise animal welfare policies in the context of own work

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

types of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens

shearing machinery required and their relative functions

industry shearing techniques and positions and method of shearing

aspects of safe handling techniques for catching, dragging, shearing and releasing sheep

basic anatomy of male and female sheep as it relates to the safe humane removal of wool

common sheep diseases

the impacts of sheep behaviour on moving and handling sheep and shearing sheep

personal protective clothing and equipment, and when and how it should be used

Federal and/or State shearing awards and agreements associated with shearing sheep

enterprise biosecurity policies applying to the job role

work health and safety legislation and codes of practice applying to the job role

animal welfare legislation and codes of practice applying to the job role

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or workplace and simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.

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
Check shearing equipment for correct operation prior to shearing session 
Identify potential and existing hazards in the workplace and report to the supervisor 
Select, use and maintain suitable personal protective equipment 
Identify, catch sheep and move to required location in line with organisational, work health and safety, industry and animal welfare standards 
Position sheep for shearing using identified positions 
Activate handpiece and position in readiness for shearing operations 
Shear sheep using identified method and positions 
Use shearing methods that ensure that injuries and damage to the sheep and fleece is avoided while meeting volume expectations 
Use safe and humane handling techniques at all times 
Identify contamination during shearing operations and report to wool handlers 
Suture sheep cuts as required 
Identify flyblown sheep and report 
Identify problem sheep and report 
Place wool to avoid contamination and for wool handlers to collect 
Set handpiece to non-operational position and store 
Release sheep safely from the board into the count-out pens 
Report shearing grievances and difficulties 
Follow enterprise biosecurity policies where required 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCSHG204 - Shear sheep to improver level
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

AHCSHG204 - Shear sheep to improver level

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: