Assessor Resource

AHCSHG210
Undertake basic shearing and crutching

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required for basic wool removal as part of a shearing and crutching operation.

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 alongside a supervisor in most situations and exercise limited autonomy within established and well known parameters.

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. Set-up shearing handpiece as directed

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

1.2 Check shearing equipment for correct operation

1.3 Assemble comb and cutter on handpiece

1.4 Set lead and throw

1.5 Set tension to enable comb and cutter to cut wool cleanly with minimum friction

1.6 Lubricate working surfaces and moving parts

2. Follow health and fitness procedures

2.1 Prepare for exercises to warm-up the body

2.2 Perform back, shoulder, leg, arm, and abdomen stretches

2.3 Recognise the necessities of hydration, nutrition and rest periods

2.4 Select suitable personal protective equipment and ensure correct fit

3. Catch sheep for shearing

3.1 Catch and move sheep in line with organisational, work health and safety, industry and animal welfare standards

3.2 Move sheep from the catching pen to the shearing board using safe manual handling techniques

3.3 Position sheep for shearing and crutching

4. Remove wool

4.1 Activate handpiece and position in readiness for shearing and crutching operations

4.2 Shear and crutch section of sheep as directed

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

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 provide evidence that they can:

follow safety directions

select, prepare and use tools equipment and materials appropriate for shearing sheep work

ensure health and fitness for shearing

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

catch and shear a sheep in line with organisational, animal welfare and work health safety standards

demonstrate safe and responsible workplace practices

clean and maintain shearing equipment, site and facilities

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

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

types of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens

shearing machinery required and their relative functions

industry agreed shearing and crutching techniques, and positions and method of shearing

features 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 as they relate to work health and safety and humane treatment of animals

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

animal welfare requirements in relation to 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

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

animal welfare legislation and codes of practice apply 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. Set-up shearing handpiece as directed

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

1.2 Check shearing equipment for correct operation

1.3 Assemble comb and cutter on handpiece

1.4 Set lead and throw

1.5 Set tension to enable comb and cutter to cut wool cleanly with minimum friction

1.6 Lubricate working surfaces and moving parts

2. Follow health and fitness procedures

2.1 Prepare for exercises to warm-up the body

2.2 Perform back, shoulder, leg, arm, and abdomen stretches

2.3 Recognise the necessities of hydration, nutrition and rest periods

2.4 Select suitable personal protective equipment and ensure correct fit

3. Catch sheep for shearing

3.1 Catch and move sheep in line with organisational, work health and safety, industry and animal welfare standards

3.2 Move sheep from the catching pen to the shearing board using safe manual handling techniques

3.3 Position sheep for shearing and crutching

4. Remove wool

4.1 Activate handpiece and position in readiness for shearing and crutching operations

4.2 Shear and crutch section of sheep as directed

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

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 provide evidence that they can:

follow safety directions

select, prepare and use tools equipment and materials appropriate for shearing sheep work

ensure health and fitness for shearing

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

catch and shear a sheep in line with organisational, animal welfare and work health safety standards

demonstrate safe and responsible workplace practices

clean and maintain shearing equipment, site and facilities

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

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

types of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens

shearing machinery required and their relative functions

industry agreed shearing and crutching techniques, and positions and method of shearing

features 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 as they relate to work health and safety and humane treatment of animals

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

animal welfare requirements in relation to 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

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

animal welfare legislation and codes of practice apply 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
Identify potential and existing hazards in the workplace and report to supervisor 
Check shearing equipment for correct operation 
Assemble comb and cutter on handpiece 
Set lead and throw 
Set tension to enable comb and cutter to cut wool cleanly with minimum friction 
Lubricate working surfaces and moving parts 
Prepare for exercises to warm-up the body 
Perform back, shoulder, leg, arm, and abdomen stretches 
Recognise the necessities of hydration, nutrition and rest periods 
Select suitable personal protective equipment and ensure correct fit 
Catch and move sheep in line with organisational, work health and safety, industry and animal welfare standards 
Move sheep from the catching pen to the shearing board using safe manual handling techniques 
Position sheep for shearing and crutching 
Activate handpiece and position in readiness for shearing and crutching operations 
Shear and crutch section of sheep as directed 
Release sheep safely from the board into the count-out pens 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCSHG210 - Undertake basic shearing and crutching
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

AHCSHG210 - Undertake basic shearing and crutching

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: