Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare for skirting
- Midside fleece samples are taken from each alpaca prior to shearing.
- All tools, equipment and materials required for basic skirting are assembled and checked for serviceability prior to beginning skirting and fleece handling.
- Existing and potential Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards in the workplace are recognised and reported to supervisor, and actions are taken to minimise risks to self and others.
- Site quarantine and other biosecurity protocols are observed.
- Collect fleece during shearing
- Fleece is picked up as blanket, neck and pieces during shearing.
- Blanket, neck and pieces are kept and weighed separately, labelled and weight is recorded according to enterprise procedures.
- Severely contaminated fleece is discarded.
- Unavoidable bending, reaching and lifting are carried out in line with safe work practices.
- Blanket is carried to classing table to enable skirting.
- Skirt saddles under supervision and according to industry guidelines
- Blanket is lightly thrown onto classing table exposing entire fleece so as to enable loose sand or dirt to fall through without disturbing structure of saddle.
- Fleece with excessive medullation, or not consistent with general style, character, micron and length of staples, is removed and placed in pieces bag.
- Fleece with major faults and of No Commercial Value (NCV) is discarded.
- Process neck pieces and finalise operation
- Individual pieces are separated into small bags.
- Small bags containing pieces are placed into a larger bag regardless of colour, micron or length.
- Neck pieces are placed in appropriate classing line.
- Feedback on skirting outcomes and compliance with industry standards is sought from owner, classer or processor and any required improvements are noted for future action.