Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to castrate young animals.
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 and work in a range of known contexts.
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.
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 for animal castration | 1.1 Interpret work to be undertaken from work program where necessary, and confirm with management 1.2 Hold discussions with other workers who may be affected by the activities to ensure continued smooth operation of the production process 1.3 Identify work health and safety hazards, assess risks, and implement suitable controls 1.4 Select, use and maintain suitable personal protective equipment 1.5 Hygienically clean castration area to minimise the risk of infection 1.6 Select and assemble equipment, instruments and resources needed for castration operations, ensuring adequate supplies of consumables 1.7 Separate male animals as required to facilitate ease of handling and to minimise stress and in compliance with animal welfare codes |
2. Castrate animals | 2.1 Select, catch and restrain individual animals using industry standard techniques 2.2 Check animals for health and soundness according to organisation guidelines 2.3 Castrate restrained animals in a humane and hygienic manner according to organisational guidelines, industry standards, and the relevant of animal welfare codes of practice 2.4 Complete records as instructed by organisational guidelines |
3. Complete hygiene and administration activities | 3.1 Remove all debris, waste material and animal residues from the site and dispose of in an environmentally aware and safe manner according to organisation work procedures 3.2 Hygienically clean, maintain and store instruments and equipment according to organisation work procedures 3.3 Maintain a clean and safe area throughout and on completion of work 3.4 Document work outcomes and report to the supervisor where appropriate according to organisation work procedures |
4. Monitor castrates | 4.1 Move animals from yard to pasture as soon as practical with minimal stress to reduce risk of infection 4.2 Monitor animals to identify post-castration complications 4.3 Identify and treat animals exhibiting signs of ill health or infection |
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:
identify hazards, assess risks and implement safe operating procedures
handle animals humanely and with minimal stress in line with animal welfare legislation codes of practice
perform a recommended method of castration with attention to hygiene
administer pre or post operative treatments
monitor castrated animals
carry out animal husbandry tasks in hygienic manner
record the number and health of animals post castration
work effectively as a part of a team and communicate with supervisors
apply relevant work health and safety requirements
apply relevant animal welfare and environmental sustainability practices
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
male anatomy as it relates to castration
castration methods for various species of livestock
organisation castration, hygiene and animal welfare procedures and policies
industry standards for the care and husbandry of animals
industry and enterprise requirements for debris, waste material and animal residues disposal
relevant work health and safety legislation, codes of practice and industry and enterprise requirements
relevant animal welfare legislation, codes of practice and industry and enterprise requirements
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the work place or workplace and simulated environments that accurately reflect performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessors must satisfy current conditions 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)