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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for shearing
   • Shearing materials, tools and equipment are checked for serviceability and prepared in readiness for shearing operations.
   • Alpacas to be shorn are identified, drafted and moved according to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), animal welfare and enterprise requirements.
   • Alpacas are positioned for shearing according to industry agreed shearing methods.
   • Potential and existing hazards in the workplace are identified, assessed and controlled according to OHS requirements.
   • Suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected, used and maintained according to OHS and enterprise requirements.
2. Perform shearing operations
   • Alpacas are shorn using shearing methods that minimise damage to the alpaca and fleece and ensure that volume of shearing meets enterprise requirements.
   • Safe and humane handling techniques are used at all times according to OHS and animal welfare requirements.
   • Own shearing performance is monitored and posture, shearing rate or speed and position of alpaca are adjusted as required.
3. Respond to complications
   • Where contamination is identified during shearing operations, it is reported to owner according to enterprise requirements.
   • Cuts to alpacas are treated according to industry standards and animal welfare requirements.
   • Problem alpacas are identified and appropriate measures are taken.
4. Complete shearing operation
   • Fleece is placed correctly for collection by handlers to avoid contamination and according to enterprise and industry requirements.
   • Shearing handpiece is set to non-operational position and stored according to manufacturer specifications and enterprise requirements.
   • Alpacas are safely released from the board into holding yards.
   • Shearing grievances and difficulties are reported to supervisor according to enterprise requirements.
   • Environmental implications associated with shearing activities are monitored and controlled according to enterprise requirements.

Required Skills

Required skills

identify hazards and apply safe work practices appropriately treating injured alpacas avoiding contamination second cuts and damage to fleece alpacas and people demonstrating safe and environmentally responsible workplace practices effectively communicating with work teams and supervisor and comprehending and applying task instructions handling alpacas with due care maintaining safe and hazardfree equipment observing signs of alpaca diseases and disorders reading and interpreting Material Safety Data Sheets MSDSs manufacturer specifications and shearing schedules selecting setting up and operating equipment appropriate to shearing tasks use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly use oral communication skillslanguage competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning active listening asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor use numeracy skills to estimate calculate and record routine workplace measures use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

Required knowledge

alpaca anatomy and behavioural characteristics alpaca diseases and treatments codes of practice for alpaca shearing components and functions of shearing equipment and machinery environmental codes of practice with regard to livestock production industryaccepted handling and shearing techniques and positions OHS environment and animal welfare legislative and enterprise requirements relevant industry awards types of shearing sheds boards and catching pens

Evidence Required

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
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit	The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following set up and adjust handpiece to the shearing conditions operate shearing equipment safely position alpaca and restrain for shearer safety avoid damage to alpaca as well as second cuts and contaminants in fleece handle and shear alpacas using industryaccepted methods and procedures meet volume and productivity expectations
Context of and specific resources for assessment	Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances

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Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Animals may include:	all types and strains of alpacas and all fleece types, including crossbred, huacaya, and suri.

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