Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to care for the health and welfare of livestock.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity legislation and codes of practice and sustainability practices.
In addition to legal responsibilities, all units of competency dealing with animals in the AHC Training Package have the requirements for animals to be handled humanely to minimise stress and discomfort.
This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.
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 work | 1.1 Discuss work requirements with supervisor and seek clarification where necessary 1.2 Identify work health and safety risks and inform supervisor 1.3 Prepare and use suitable personal protective equipment 1.4 Select and prepare appropriate tools and equipment |
2. Monitor and assess livestock health and welfare | 2.1 Check livestock regularly to assess health and welfare 2.2 Recognise and report symptoms of injuries, ill health or abnormal behaviour 2.3 Handle livestock in line with enterprise animal welfare policies |
3. Implement livestock health and welfare procedures | 3.1 Follow quarantine and biosecurity procedures as instructed to minimise the risk of disease 3.2 Maintain thorough personal hygiene practices in all activities associated with handling livestock to reduce risks from diseases that are transmissible to humans 3.3 Treat sick and injured livestock or make arrangements to humanely destroy livestock if necessary 3.4 Recognise environmental implications associated with livestock husbandry practices and follow relevant procedures 3.5 Follow the regulations and codes of practice appropriate for the industry 3.6 Follow enterprise animal welfare emergency procedures where required |
4. Administer drenches, vaccines and prescribed treatments to livestock | 4.1 Prepare livestock treatment site and facilities 4.2 Prepare livestock treatments 4.3 Move, yard and control livestock and inspect for treatment requirements 4.4 Use safe work practices with regard to livestock handling 4.5 Administer treatment if required as instructed or under supervision |
5. Monitor treated livestock and maintain records | 5.1 Monitor livestock post-treatment for signs of treatment effectiveness 5.2 Recognise and report livestock health and condition abnormalities 5.3 Record disease incidence, livestock losses, and treatments 5.4 Report post-treatment information to the supervisor so that prevention strategies can be planned and implemented |
6. Complete work | 6.1 Dispose of treatment materials appropriately 6.2 Clean, maintain and store equipment, materials and facilities 6.3 Dispose of livestock residues and waste in an environmentally responsible manner |
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:
handle livestock safely and humanely
monitor and assess livestock health and welfare
select, use and maintain specialised animal health equipment
prepare treatment site, facilities and equipment
administer treatments to livestock
monitor the effectiveness of treatments and report issues
keep and maintain records
dispose of unused treatments safely and in an environmentally correct manner
recognise ill health and abnormal behaviour in livestock
recognise fear and aggressive behaviour in livestock
recognise heat stress
follow enterprise animal welfare emergency procedures
follow enterprise work health and safety policies
follow enterprise biosecurity, animal welfare and sustainability policies
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
water quality and animal requirements
feed requirements and quality
workplace biosecurity and euthanasia procedures
safe handling of sick and dead livestock
livestock handling principles and livestock behaviour
signs of heat stress
symptoms of ill-health in livestock
the range of common diseases affecting livestock
vaccination programs
relevant legislation and regulations relating to waste and environment management, livestock health, stock medicines and animal welfare
relevant work health and safety legislation, regulations and codes of practice
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
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
Livestock (LSK)