Assessor Resource

MTMP401B
Utilise refrigeration index

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit is applicable to Quality Assurance (QA) staff and regulators who utilise the RI to validate compliance of a chilling or freezing process.

This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to use the Refrigeration Index (RI) to validate compliance of a chilling and freezing process.

The Export Control Orders (ECO), which came into effect in July 2005, require the validation of all chilling processes using the RI.

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

The meat industry has specific and clear requirements for evidence. A minimum of three forms of evidence is required to demonstrate competency in the meat industry. This is specifically designed to provide evidence that covers the demonstration in the workplace of all aspects of competency over time.

These requirements are in addition to the requirements for valid, current, authentic and sufficient evidence.

Three forms of evidence means three different kinds of evidence - not three pieces of the same kind. In practice it will mean that most of the unit is covered twice. This increases the legitimacy of the evidence.

All assessment must be conducted against Australian meat industry standards and regulations.

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

Competency must be demonstrated utilising the RI calculator.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment may involve processing real or simulated data.

Method of assessment

Recommended methods of assessment include:

assignment

quiz of underpinning knowledge

simulation

workplace demonstration

workplace project

workplace referee report of performance over time.

Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander, gender, or language backgrounds other than English. Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role.

Guidance information for assessment

A current list of resources for this unit of competency is available from MINTRAC www.mintrac.com.au or telephone 1800 817 462.


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

Ability to:

define a process and the relevant variables

plan and manage the collection of data for a validation exercise

arrange and document the validation of a chilling process using the RI

input data into the RI index

identify and resolve data inconsistencies

process data into the correct format for the RI calculator

review RI calculated and make decisions on process validation or product disposition

apply relevant communication and mathematical skills

maintain currency of knowledge and techniques through informal learning and personal research utilising such things as the web, industry journals, Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) notices and conference workshops

work effectively as an individual and as a team member when gathering data

identify and apply relevant Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S), regulatory and workplace requirements

take action to improve own work performance as a result of self-evaluation, feedback from others, or in response to changed work practices or technology

Required knowledge

Knowledge of:

growth phases of microbes

purpose of predictive microbiological models

how and why RI is used

the parameters of the RI model

product disposition using the RI

ECO criteria for RI

requirements for data collection

different RI calculator options

documentation requirements for process validation using RI

factors affecting the growth of microbes

meaning of log values

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Factors affecting microbial growth include:

lactic acid levels

lag phase

pH

temperature

time

water activity.

Temperature data includes:

air flow

locating and siting sensors

nature and type of freezers/chillers

product being refrigerated

sites of microbial concern

time of chilling operation

worst case scenarios.

Product may include:

beef (e.g. brisket and tongue)

game meat

lamb (e.g. legs and tongue)

mutton

other meat species or products

pork (e.g. hand and spring)

veal.

Communicationskills may include:

speaking clearly and directly

listening and understanding

communicating with people from a range of cultural, social and ethnic backgrounds

reading and interpreting workplace documentation

the preparation of documentation for a specified audience

the use of negotiation and persuasion skills, and being appropriately assertive

the sharing of information.

Mathematical skills may include:

collection, estimation, calculation and interpretation of deviations within cycle, internal temperature, humidity, ambient temperature and weights

graphs of microbial growth

logarithm growth rates

model parameters

percentiles

predictive models.

OH&Srequirements may include:

enterprise OH&S policies, procedures and programs

OH&S legal requirements

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which may include:

coats and aprons

ear plugs or muffs

eye and facial protection

head-wear

lifting assistance

mesh aprons

protective boot covers

protective hand and arm covering

protective head and hair covering

uniforms

waterproof clothing

work, safety or waterproof footwear

requirements set out in standards and codes of practice.

Regulatory requirements may include:

Export Control Act

ECO

hygiene and sanitation requirements

relevant regulations and Australian Standards

requirements set out in AS 4696:2007 Australian Standard for the Hygienic Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat Products for Human Consumption

state and territory regulations regarding meat processing.

Workplace requirements may include:

enterprise-specific requirements

OH&S requirements

QA requirements

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

the ability to perform the task to production requirements

work instructions.

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
RI measure and the uses of predictive microbiological model are explained. 
Regulatory requirements for process compliance using the RI are identified. 
Factors affecting microbial growth are identified. 
RI model parameters are identified. 
Data logger is set up correctly. 
Temperature sensor is placed in product, taking into account the point of microbiological concern and recommended placement. 
Time-temperature data is processed into correct format for RI calculator. 
Process is defined in terms of the output. 
Production lot is defined. 
Variables in the process are identified. 
Number of measurements to be taken is identified. 
When and where data is to be collected is identified. 
RI criteria are identified. 
Software is loaded and opened. 
Correct calculator options for process being validated are selected. 
RI for process to be validated is calculated. 
RI is compared with ECO requirements. 
Appropriateness of the data is assessed where RI does not comply. 
Action is taken on a non-conforming process. 
Decisions are made on production disposition for a refrigeration breakdown. 
Purpose, process and arrangements for the validation are described. 
Data collection methods and calculation options used are described and data collected is summarised. 
Validation decision is stated. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MTMP401B - Utilise refrigeration index
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:

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Assessment Record Sheet

MTMP401B - Utilise refrigeration index

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

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Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: