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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Remove contamination from the fleece
   • Identify work health and safety hazards and report to the supervisor
   • Select and use suitable personal protective equipment
   • Remove stained wool, black/coloured wool and contamination on the shearing board as instructed
   • Apply safe working practices and using the available safety equipment
2. Remove fleeces and component parts from the shearing board
   • Pick wool up after the shearing handpiece has been disengaged and not before
   • Identify wet wool and remove for drying
   • Pick belly wool up and remove stained wool
   • Remove crutch wool and reposition the hind leg if necessary
   • Arrange the hind legs of the fleece to allow for the fleece to be picked up efficiently
   • Pick fleece up in a controlled bundle and remove from shearing stand as soon as sheep is shorn
   • Carry fleece to the wool table and throw to land flat and spread out ready for skirting
   • Collect loose wool remaining in the let-out chute
   • Place all wool removed from the fleece and from the shearing board in the correct bins or on the correct table
3. Handle non-fleece wool
   • Sweep up locks and place in correct bins
   • Separate board and table locks where directed
   • Remove shanks and jowls if directed and placed in appropriate bin
   • Remove pizzle stain from bellies and place in stains line
   • Remove brisket wool if directed by the wool classer
   • Sweep crutchings clear of the board, remove stain and dags and place in appropriate bins
   • Carry lambs wool and prematurely shorn wools to the wool table using boards or paddles, if required
   • Place lambs wool on tables for sorting
4. Skirt fleeces under supervision
   • Seek information on wool classer requirements for mob
   • Remove fribs and sweats and place in appropriate bins
   • Remove short crutch wool and wiggings and place with locks
   • Remove wool carrying vegetable matter under wool classer supervision
   • Seek feedback on accuracy of skirting and fleece to skirtings ratio
   • Assist wool classer or wool roller in separating fleece wool, which has been identified as defective or lacking uniformity
5. Sweep the board and wool room
   • Sweep shearing boards, wool room and area beneath the wool table regularly and when necessary during the shearing operation
   • Keep the shearing boards and the wool room free of potential contamination
   • Remove waste and place appropriately in full consideration of environmental implications
6. Empty bins and other wool containers
   • Empty bins and other wool containers as necessary, and replace as directed
7. Perform cut-out duties
   • Empty all butts and bins and press wool
   • Stack bales
   • Sweep wool working area
   • Store equipment
   • Wash board down and disinfect

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 provide evidence that they can:

identify hazards and follow safety directions

remove fleeces and sweep boards before the next sheep is dragged for shearing

pick up and throw fleeces safely onto wool table

remove non-fleece wools from the board and place in correct bins

identify and accurately remove stains

use correct technique for skirting and rolling fleece

check quantities in bins

sweep floors and remove contamination

work rapidly within specified timeframes

communicate with supervisor, the wool classer and the shearers

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

apply enterprise environmental sustainability practices in the context of own work

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

features of the parts of a fleece

types of shearing shed layouts

duties and responsibilities of a board person

types and sources of contamination of the fleece and be able to explain the requirements of Code of Practice for the Preparation of Australian Wool Clips as it relates to the preparation of skirtings and oddments

methods of handling fleece that minimise risk to own health, including safe lifting and bending techniques.

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