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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Set-up shearing handpiece
   • 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 for comb and cutter
   • Set tension to enable comb and cutter to cut wool cleanly with minimum friction
   • Lubricate working surfaces and moving parts
2. Follow health and fitness procedures
   • 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
3. Catch sheep for shearing
   • Select, use and maintain suitable personal protective equipment
   • Catch sheep and move to required location in line with organisational, work health and safety, industry and animal welfare standards
   • Drag sheep from the catching pen to the shearing board using safe manual handling techniques
   • Position sheep for shearing
4. Remove fleece
   • Activate handpiece and position in readiness for shearing operations
   • Shear section of sheep in position suitable to the individual's competence
   • Shear the six basic positions in sequence
   • Minimise injury to sheep and treat injuries where required
   • Release sheep safely from the board into the count-out pens
   • Minimise second cuts and contamination
   • Maintain shearing effort to achieve the required minimum rate per day to acceptable standard

Range Statement

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Performance Evidence

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 40 adult merino sheep or 50 adult crossbred sheep per day to industry standards.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

follow safe work practices

select and use equipment and materials appropriate for shearing sheep

load a handpiece correctly

avoid contamination, second cuts

shear sufficient sheep within eight hours to match novice skill level

use appropriate suturing for cuts to sheep

catch and release sheep safely

provide due care and handle sheep humanely

clean and maintain shearing equipment, site and facilities

communicate problems, faults and workplace hazards to the owner or overseer

tally shorn sheep count

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

apply enterprise animal welfare policies in the context of own work

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

types of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens

shearing machinery required and their relative functions

industry agreed shearing techniques and positions, and method of shearing

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

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

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