Elements and Performance Criteria
- Receive eggs into hatchery
- Occupational health&safety hazards are identified, risk assessed and suitable controls implemented.
- Suitable personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained.
- Delivery vehicle is monitored to ensure door remains sealed.
- Eggs are unloaded at hatchery and quality monitored.
- All required information recorded accurately and promptly in accordance with organisational requirements.
- Store eggs
- Eggs are stored as instructed with regard to position, temperature, humidity and period of storage according to industry standards.
- Eggs are transferred from delivery dollies/trolleys to setter dollies/trolleys.
- Eggs are attached to the turning machine to ensure maximum viability is maintained.
- All lifting and bending is done according to safe working practices and using the available safety and lifting equipment.
- Egg stock is managed to minimise egg age on setting.
- Temperature, humidity and airflow are monitored to maintain required settings.
- Prepare to incubate eggs
- Work to be undertaken is interpreted from work program where necessary, and confirmed with management.
- Discussions are held with other workers who may be affected by the activities to ensure continued smooth operation of the production process.
- Tools and equipment suitable for the work to be undertaken are selected, checked, and maintained if necessary.
- Monitor and operate setter
- Setter readings are accurately taken and recorded.
- Alarms are recognised and specified sequence of operations carried out during a breakdown as set out by the employer.
- Setter is operated, repaired and maintained according to establishment practice.
- Temperature probes are calibrated with known standards.
- Transfer eggs to hatcher
- Dollies moved to the egg handling/transfer area safely and in the sequence required by the organisation.
- Temperature, humidity and airflow are checked to ensure specified equipment operation and adjustment.
- Where required by the organisation, fumigant is measured and placed according to label instructions and safe work practices.
- Hatcher is fumigated and gases exhausted according to manufacturers instructions.
- Eggs are transferred to hatching trays in sequence according to organisation procedures.
- Fumigate setter or hatcher
- Need for fumigation is determined from supervisors instructions, production/hygiene management plan, or management practice.
- Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified, risks assessed and suitable controls are implemented.
- Fumigant and apparatus are prepared according to manufacturer's instructions and in line with established safe working procedures.
- Setter or hatcher is sealed and fumigated to ensure maximum exposure of the fumigant to disease-causing organisms.
- Shed is aired to ensure evacuation of toxicants prior to re-entry of staff, re-installation of equipment, and placement of eggs.
- Monitor and operate hatcher
- Complete hygiene and administration activities
- Waste material is removed from the incubation area and disposed of in an environmentally aware and safe manner according to organisational work procedures.
- Tools, equipment and machinery are cleaned, maintained and stored according to organisational work procedures.
- A clean and safe area is maintained throughout and upon completion of work according to organisational work procedures.
- Work outcomes are recorded or reported to the supervisor according to organisational work procedures.