Assessor Resource

AHCSHG401
Apply advanced shearing techniques

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to apply advanced shearing techniques.

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

This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation 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 and set up equipment to optimise shearing output

1.1 Confirm that the range and condition of equipment available for selection meets anticipated shearing conditions

1.2 Select equipment and set up based on the assessment of shearing conditions to ensure the optimum yield and shearing throughput

1.3 Monitor equipment performance and make adjustments to maintain optimum shearing throughput

2. Assess and monitor the shearing conditions and environment

2.1 Confirm that the style and approach adopted for the shear are appropriate to the shearing conditions, and maintain the quality and throughput at the appropriate level

2.2 Adopt approaches for mitigating adverse shearing conditions prior to and during the shearing

2.3 Monitor and assess the shearing environment with consideration of the whole wool harvesting operation

2.4 Identify potential and existing hazards, assess risks and implement control measures

2.5 Identify opportunities to support and encourage the performance of other shearers and respond constructively while maintaining own output

2.6 Implement enterprise animal welfare policies

3. Maintain control, rhythm and output during shearing

3.1 Adapt personal position and shearing method to accommodate limitations in equipment performance and set up

3.2 Use timing, length and width of blows that optimise selected shearing pattern

3.3 Ensure blow commencement and finish positions are economical of effort and reflect the shortest route

3.4 Ensure blow placement, body work and sheep positioning combine to represent sustainable shearing effort and output

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 applying advanced shearing techniques while shearing.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

identify potential and existing hazards, assess risks and implement control measures

prepare and set up equipment to optimise shearing output

assess and monitor a diverse range of shearing conditions and environments

maintain control, co-ordination, rhythm, high quality performance and output during shearing

support and encourage the performance of other shearers as part of a team and respond constructively while maintaining own output

implement 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

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 and set up equipment to optimise shearing output

1.1 Confirm that the range and condition of equipment available for selection meets anticipated shearing conditions

1.2 Select equipment and set up based on the assessment of shearing conditions to ensure the optimum yield and shearing throughput

1.3 Monitor equipment performance and make adjustments to maintain optimum shearing throughput

2. Assess and monitor the shearing conditions and environment

2.1 Confirm that the style and approach adopted for the shear are appropriate to the shearing conditions, and maintain the quality and throughput at the appropriate level

2.2 Adopt approaches for mitigating adverse shearing conditions prior to and during the shearing

2.3 Monitor and assess the shearing environment with consideration of the whole wool harvesting operation

2.4 Identify potential and existing hazards, assess risks and implement control measures

2.5 Identify opportunities to support and encourage the performance of other shearers and respond constructively while maintaining own output

2.6 Implement enterprise animal welfare policies

3. Maintain control, rhythm and output during shearing

3.1 Adapt personal position and shearing method to accommodate limitations in equipment performance and set up

3.2 Use timing, length and width of blows that optimise selected shearing pattern

3.3 Ensure blow commencement and finish positions are economical of effort and reflect the shortest route

3.4 Ensure blow placement, body work and sheep positioning combine to represent sustainable shearing effort and output

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 applying advanced shearing techniques while shearing.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

identify potential and existing hazards, assess risks and implement control measures

prepare and set up equipment to optimise shearing output

assess and monitor a diverse range of shearing conditions and environments

maintain control, co-ordination, rhythm, high quality performance and output during shearing

support and encourage the performance of other shearers as part of a team and respond constructively while maintaining own output

implement 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

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
Confirm that the range and condition of equipment available for selection meets anticipated shearing conditions 
Select equipment and set up based on the assessment of shearing conditions to ensure the optimum yield and shearing throughput 
Monitor equipment performance and make adjustments to maintain optimum shearing throughput 
Confirm that the style and approach adopted for the shear are appropriate to the shearing conditions, and maintain the quality and throughput at the appropriate level 
Adopt approaches for mitigating adverse shearing conditions prior to and during the shearing 
Monitor and assess the shearing environment with consideration of the whole wool harvesting operation 
Identify potential and existing hazards, assess risks and implement control measures 
Identify opportunities to support and encourage the performance of other shearers and respond constructively while maintaining own output 
Implement enterprise animal welfare policies 
Adapt personal position and shearing method to accommodate limitations in equipment performance and set up 
Use timing, length and width of blows that optimise selected shearing pattern 
Ensure blow commencement and finish positions are economical of effort and reflect the shortest route 
Ensure blow placement, body work and sheep positioning combine to represent sustainable shearing effort and output 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCSHG401 - Apply advanced shearing techniques
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

AHCSHG401 - Apply advanced shearing techniques

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: