Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to euthanase livestock without distress or suffering prior to cessation of their vital life functions.
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.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They complete routine activities, work in a range of known contexts and use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources.
Individuals must hold firearms licenses if they are using firearms to euthanase livestock.
Individuals must comply with national and local regulations for disposal of the carcass.
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 for euthanasia | 1.1 Confirm criteria for decision to destroy livestock conforms to workplace procedures and approval of supervisor where required 1.2 Confirm the method selected to destroy livestock is suitable for the species and meets animal welfare requirements, as outlined in the relevant codes of practice 1.3 Prepare equipment and materials required to complete the euthanasia 1.4 Identify hazards, assess risks and implement control measures 1.5 Identify environmental and public safety risks associated with the euthanasia 1.6 Obtain licences and permits required to complete euthanasia where necessary 1.7 Check and prepare equipment and materials for euthanasia 1.8 Select and use personal protective equipment |
2. Carry out euthanasia of animal | 2.1 Handle and transport equipment appropriately and safely 2.2 Restrain animal in a way that minimises pain and distress 2.3 Euthanase animal in a quick and painless way 2.4 Check animal to ensure it is dead 2.5 Destroy animals that have not been euthanased immediately, in a humane manner |
3. Carry out post euthanasia procedures | 3.1 Handle and prepare carcass to be used for research or commercial according to enterprise requirements 3.2 Dispose of carcass not to be used for research or commercial purposes in line with legislative and enterprise requirements 3.3 Clean and store equipment and materials 3.4 Report and record animal and euthanasia details as required |
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:
apply relevant animal welfare requirements
implement relevant work health and safety practices
implement relevant biosecurity requirements
prepare for euthanasia
carry out euthanasia of animal
confirm signs of death in the euthanased animal
handle, prepare or dispose of carcass in line with workplace procedures, national and local regulations
clean and store equipment and materials
record details of the euthanasia
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
their responsibilities with regard to animal welfare as outlined in the relevant animal welfare codes of practice
relevant work health and safety and biosecurity requirements, explain the requirements of statutory legislation and codes of practice related to euthanasing livestock
workplace procedures for euthanasia of livestock as required, describe animal handling, restraint and behaviour for carrying out euthanasia
signs of death in an animal
anatomy and physical features of the relevant livestock species
methods of euthanasia suitable for the livestock species as outlined in the relevant codes of practice
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace and/or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessments for the following performance evidence must be conducted on a live animal:
carry out euthanasia of animal
Competency in this unit can be determined in a single species.
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)