Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manipulate a honey bee brood to achieve desired outcomes.
This unit applies to beekeepers who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare to manipulate brood combs | 1.1 Clarify reason for manipulating brood and plan appropriate sequence of actions 1.2 Select tools and equipment required to manipulate brood and check prior to use 1.3 Identify work health and safety hazards associated with manipulating brood and take actions to minimise risk to self and others 1.4 Select and use suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) and check prior to use 1.5 Observe site quarantine or other biosecurity protocols in force 1.6 Identify risks to colony, including to brood and queen bee, and take actions to minimise likelihood and consequences of risks |
2. Manipulate brood | 2.1 Open hive and remove combs in planned sequence and place in suitable position 2.2 Replace frames in same or new sequence and position, or remove to another hive according to purposes for which brood is being manipulated 2.3 Monitor hive and colony after the manipulation process and take appropriate action if needed to minimise any disturbance to brood 2.4 Dispose of waste materials appropriately |
Evidence of Performance
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:
correctly wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
determine when and how a honey bee brood should be manipulated to achieve a desired outcome
identify hazards and implement safe work procedures handling bees
handle materials and equipment
use a bee smoker
open hives and remove and reposition frames safely with minimal damage or unintended disturbance to brood
clean up on completion of work.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
principles and practices of brood manipulation
biosecurity involved when moving bees
bee behaviour
bee handling techniques
different types of manipulation that may be used to achieve desired result
fire risk level
purposes for which brood may be manipulate.
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Beekeeping (BEK)