Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to escort livestock during export.
This unit applies to animal attendants who escort livestock on sea voyages.
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 take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others within known parameters. They may provide direction to others, and use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources. They provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems.
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. Carry out administration requirements | 1.1 Obtain and clarify details of the livestock to be exported from the exporter or producer 1.2 Establish effective communication links between all parties to the consignment and any relevant organisations or agencies 1.3 Investigate and verify specific details of the vessel/plane to facilitate loading and transit operations 1.4 Complete required certification, permit and invoicing arrangements according to exporter requirements and relevant legislation 1.5 Estimate nutritional and veterinary requirements and order required quantities according to exporter directions, established industry standards and load specifications |
2. Prepare for livestock to be loaded | 2.1 Comply with work health and safety policies and procedures, including selection of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 2.2 Ensure that animal welfare and biosecurity requirements are met 2.3 Establish communication lines with all shipboard personnel for the voyage 2.4 Review exporter instructions according to loading criteria 2.5 Identify appropriate infrastructure for loading 2.6 Perform basic risk analysis for loading and recommend preventative measures 2.7 Identify appropriate on-board loading resources including personnel requirements 2.8 Check and ensure all on-board equipment is in working condition, including the veterinary kit and euthanasia equipment |
3. Load and accompany livestock on transport | 3.1 Observe and follow work health and safety policies and procedures, animal welfare, biosecurity and environmental requirements 3.2 Load and secure prepared livestock safely and humanely according to animal welfare, biosecurity, work health and safety and exporter requirements 3.3 Check and verify loading densities and conditions in accordance with the loading plan and regulatory requirements 3.4 Monitor and record water and feed provision to livestock and report any abnormalities or variance from feed budgets to the appropriate party 3.5 Carry out regular observation of all livestock to ensure timely and appropriate responses to changes in condition, feed and water intake, or incidence of disease 3.6 Deal humanely with injured or diseased livestock in accordance with relevant animal welfare, biosecurity, health and environmental considerations and in consideration of customer requirements 3.7 Complete reports according to shipping company policy and in accurate observation of shipping conditions |
4. Complete post-shipment procedures | 4.1 Establish unloading strategies including timing, health checks and documentation in consultation with the carrier’s Chief Officer or Master 4.2 Complete pen cleaning and other established pre-unloading procedures prior to entering port 4.3 Unload animals safely and humanely using appropriate equipment and facilities in line with work health and safety, animal welfare, biosecurity and exporter requirements 4.4 Identify specific animal requirements at unloading and obtain supplies to meet consignment needs 4.5 Complete end of voyage reports and required documentation in accordance with exporter requirements, shipping company policy, government legislation, and customer requirements 4.6 Undertake post-transport checks according to exporter and customer requirements, and shipping company policy |
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:
carry out pre-shipping and consignment administration procedures
make preparations for loading of livestock
load livestock onto the carrier
handle, treat and feed livestock in accordance with relevant animal welfare, biosecurity, health and environmental legislation and cods of practice and in consideration of customer requirements
identify signs of ill health and injury, or signs of abnormal or depressed appetite
handle and restrain livestock for observation and treatment as required
oversee the care of livestock in transit
communicate effectively with exporting agents and related agencies, as well as the Master/Captain, officers and seamen on board
complete export documentation including daily records of animal observations and conditions
communicate effectively with exporting agents and related agencies, as well as transportation officers and staff
implement relevant work health and safety, animal welfare, biosecurity and environmental requirements and practices
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
relevant work health and safety, animal welfare, biosecurity and quarantine, and environmental legislation and codes of practice
regulatory requirements and industry standards for the transport of livestock using sea carriers
typical exporter and shipping company requirements, policies and procedures
how conflicts should be handled between regulatory requirements and requirements of exporters or shipping companies
working culture and specifications for imported livestock of common importing countries
care, husbandry and management procedures for health and welfare of all classes of livestock - including pregnant livestock - in transit
methods and techniques for handling and restraint of all classes of livestock
methods and techniques for loading and unloading of livestock
signs of health, anatomy and physiology of the livestock species
zoonoses of livestock and preventative health strategies for humans and livestock
common diseases of the livestock species and preventative health strategies
signs of ill health and related management strategies in the livestock species
methods and techniques of euthanasia
disposal of animal carcasses on-board sea carriers
on-board procedures and responsibilities
use and maintenance of personal protective equipment, veterinary, euthanasia and disinfectant materials and equipment
invoice, receipt and document requirements at both ends of the transport operation
strategies for effective communication between all parties to the consignment, relevant organisations and agencies, and on-board carrier personnel
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 live animals:
load and transport livestock
Competency for the 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)