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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for shearing
   • Check shearing equipment for correct operation prior to shearing session
   • Identify potential and existing hazards in the workplace and report to the supervisor
   • Select, use and maintain suitable personal protective equipment
   • Identify, catch sheep and move to required location in line with organisational, work health and safety, industry and animal welfare standards
2. Perform shearing operations
   • Position sheep for shearing using identified positions
   • Activate handpiece and position in readiness for shearing operations
   • Shear sheep using identified method and positions
   • Use shearing methods that ensure that injuries and damage to the sheep and fleece is avoided while meeting volume expectations
   • Use safe and humane handling techniques at all times
3. Respond to complications
   • Identify contamination during shearing operations and report to wool handlers
   • Suture sheep cuts as required
   • Identify flyblown sheep and report
   • Identify problem sheep and report
4. Complete shearing operation
   • Place wool to avoid contamination and for wool handlers to collect
   • Set handpiece to non-operational position and store
   • Release sheep safely from the board into the count-out pens
   • Report shearing grievances and difficulties
   • Follow enterprise biosecurity policies where required

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 80 adult merino sheep or 100 adult crossbred sheep per day to industry standards.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

identify hazards and follow safety directions

select and use equipment and materials appropriate for shearing sheep

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

shear sufficient sheep within eight hours to match skill level as per industry award minimum rate of pay for learner shearers

suture cuts to sheep

catch and release sheep safely

demonstrate safe and responsible workplace practices

provide due care and handle sheep humanely

clean and maintain shearing equipment, site and facilities

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

tally shorn sheep count

apply enterprise 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 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

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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