AHCBEK201A
Support beekeeping work

This unit covers the process of supporting beekeeping and defines the standard required to: assist with routine beekeeping activities; work safely around and with bees; apply knowledge of food safety regulations when handling frames and honey or other hive products for human consumption.

Application

This unit applies to beekeeping assistants who may be working by themselves or as part of a small team. Work may be performed in a workshop or similar facility or in the field. Where work requires the use of load-shifting equipment, appropriate training/certification must be provided according to state and territory safety and licensing requirements.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare materials, tools and equipment for beekeeping work

1.1. Required materials, tools and equipment are identified according to lists provided and/or supervisor instructions.

1.2. Checks are conducted on all materials, tools and equipment, and insufficient or faulty items are reported to supervisor.

1.3. Correct manual handling techniques are used when loading and unloading materials to minimise damage to self, others, load and vehicle.

1.4. Suitable personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected and checked prior to use.

1.5. Work support is provided according to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements and supervisor instructions.

2. Undertake beekeeping work as directed

2.1. Instructions and directions provided by supervisor are followed and clarification is sought when necessary.

2.2. Work is undertaken in a safe and environmentally appropriate manner and according to enterprise guidelines.

2.3. Interactions with other staff, apiary site owners and customers are carried out in a positive and professional manner.

2.4. Enterprise policies and procedures in relation to workplace practices in the handling and disposal of materials are observed.

2.5. Problems or difficulties in completing work to required standards or timelines are reported to supervisor.

3. Handle materials and equipment

3.1. Materials, tools and equipment are handled and transported according to supervisor instructions and enterprise guidelines.

3.2. Waste material produced during work is handled according to supervisor instructions.

3.3. Clean and safe work site is maintained while working.

4. Clean up on completion of work

4.1. Materials are returned to store or disposed of according to supervisor instructions.

4.2. Tools and equipment are cleaned, maintained and stored according to manufacturer specifications and supervisor instructions.

4.3. Work outcomes are reported to supervisor, feedback on performance is sought and any required improvements are noted for future action.

Required Skills

Required skills

identifying hazards and applying safe work practices

cleaning up on completion of work

handling bees

handling materials, tools and equipment

preparing materials, tools and equipment for work

undertaking work as directed

use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly

use oral communication skills/language 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

appropriate tools and equipment

bee-handling techniques

repair and maintenance of buildings, fixtures or fittings

OHS, environment and animal welfare legislative and enterprise requirements.

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:

assist with routine beekeeping activities

work safely around and with bees

apply knowledge of food safety regulations when handling frames and honey or other hive products for human consumption.

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.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Bees may include:

all species of bees used in production.


Sectors

Unit sector

Beekeeping


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Refer to Application of the Unit