Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor and maintain outdoor pig production.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity legislation and codes, and sustainability practices.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and use discretion and judgement in the selection 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 for work in the production area | 1.1 Confirm work to be undertaken from work program where necessary, and clarify with supervisor if required 1.2 Identify work health and safety hazards, assess risks and implement suitable controls 1.3 Select and use suitable personal protective equipment 1.4 Select, check and maintain tools and equipment suitable for the work to be undertaken 1.5 Communicate the personal protective equipment and other safety requirements to staff and contractors, and obtain confirmation of understanding 1.6 Monitor weather and carry out preparations or adjustments to work program as required |
2. Coordinate work activities and monitor progress | 2.1 Communicate the work required to staff and contractors clearly and unambiguously following the production plan and program 2.2 Meet work schedules, plans and priorities according to the needs of the organisation or situation 2.3 Ensure the allocation of work optimises resources and the existing competencies of staff 2.4 Communicate with operational staff and any contractors regularly to ensure smooth operation and progress 2.5 Provide feedback to staff and management on request, or as necessary |
3. Monitor pig health | 3.1 Observe pigs for signs of ill health, and record and report changes 3.2 Observe and monitor pig behaviour, and record and report abnormalities 3.3 Ensure that welfare and care needs of pigs are adequately provided 3.4 Ensure that pigs have access to clean and adequate water supply 3.5 Examine dead pigs for evidence of disease through post-mortem techniques in line with regulatory and industry standards and veterinary advice 3.6 Identify disease status of herd and request staff or veterinary assistance when required 3.7 Check components of biosecurity procedures for compliance |
4. Monitor pig housing, sheds, shelters and infrastructure | 4.1 Monitor outdoor pig housing, sheds or shelters for wear and tear, and carry out maintenance and repair as required 4.2 Monitor outdoor facilities and infrastructure such as fencing, feeders and drinkers, and carry out maintenance or repair as required |
5. Monitor effluent and waste removal, storage and treatment | 5.1 Remove manure and litter if required, and store or treat appropriately 5.2 Remove, store and treat liquid effluent appropriately and as required 5.3 Check that manure and effluent storage and treatment systems are operated according to the production program and manufacturer's instructions 5.4 Ensure that all waste and used consumables are removed from production site and disposed of in line with enterprise environmental policies 5.6 Ensure work, health and safety requirements are being observed and followed |
6. Monitor and maintain production environment | 6.1 Identify and monitor production environment components 6.2 Observe production environment for signs of deterioration, and record and report to management 6.3 Monitor nutrient, soil and water conditions of production environment, report and carry out maintenance as required 6.4 Coordinate or carry out maintenance of production environment as required. |
7. Complete records and documentation | 7.1 Collate information gathered throughout production operations 7.2 Document collated information where required, and prepare for reporting to supervisor or manager |
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:
prepare for work in the production area
coordinate work activities
monitor daily operations
monitor herd health
monitor production environment
complete records and documentation
follow work health and safety policies
follow biosecurity policies
follow animal welfare policies
follow environmental policies
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
relevant legislation, codes of practice, industry standards and guidelines for outdoor pig production
features and uses of enterprise production plans, enterprise work programs, environmental management plan and nutrient management plan
requirements, maintenance, mitigation and protection measures for nutrients, soils, ground and surface water
significance, effects and control measures for chemicals, gaseous emissions and odours that impact on the production environment and surrounding community
relevant regulatory, industry and enterprise work health and safety requirements, codes of practice and standards
use and maintenance of personal protective equipment
types, functions, cleaning and maintenance of relevant tools and equipment
types, requirements for and methods for determining allocation of enterprise resources
strategies for communicating with and providing feedback to staff, contractors and management
effects and impacts of weather elements on enterprise work programs and outdoor production environments, and preparations and adjustments to mitigate such impacts
types, functions, characteristics, cleaning and maintenance of relevant outdoor pig housing and production installations and equipment, such as fencing, feeders and drinkers
requirements, methods and procedures for manure and litter removal and treatment
types, characteristics, functions, operation and maintenance of effluent storage and treatment systems
requirements, methods and procedures for waste removal and disposal
common diseases signs of health, signs of ill health, and methods for assessing individual pig and herd health and condition
requirements, methods and procedures for conducting post mortem examination of pigs
relevant regulatory, industry and enterprise biosecurity requirements, codes of practice and standards
relevant regulatory, industry and enterprise environmental and sustainability requirements, codes of practice and standards
criteria, methods and procedures for monitoring environmental health and condition
relevant documentation, records and reports that are required
relevant animal welfare requirements
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace OR workplace and 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
Pork (PRK)