Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to select, handle and shear sheep under supervision to improver level.
Improver level is defined as shearing a minimum of 80 adult merino sheep or 100 adult crossbred sheep per day to industry standards.
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 supervision and take responsibility for their own work. They 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 shearing | 1.1 Check shearing equipment for correct operation prior to shearing session 1.2 Identify potential and existing hazards in the workplace and report to the supervisor 1.3 Select, use and maintain suitable personal protective equipment 1.4 Identify, catch sheep and move to required location in line with organisational, work health and safety, industry and animal welfare standards |
2. Perform shearing operations | 2.1 Position sheep for shearing using identified positions 2.2 Activate handpiece and position in readiness for shearing operations 2.3 Shear sheep using identified method and positions 2.4 Use shearing methods that ensure that injuries and damage to the sheep and fleece is avoided while meeting volume expectations 2.5 Use safe and humane handling techniques at all times |
3. Respond to complications | 3.1 Identify contamination during shearing operations and report to wool handlers 3.2 Suture sheep cuts as required 3.3 Identify flyblown sheep and report 3.4 Identify problem sheep and report |
4. Complete shearing operation | 4.1 Place wool to avoid contamination and for wool handlers to collect 4.2 Set handpiece to non-operational position and store 4.3 Release sheep safely from the board into the count-out pens 4.4 Report shearing grievances and difficulties 4.5 Follow enterprise biosecurity policies where 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 be observed shearing a minimum of 80 adult merino sheep or 100 adult crossbred sheep per day to industry standards.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
identify hazards and follow safety directions
select and use equipment and materials appropriate for shearing sheep
avoid contamination, second cuts and damage to wool, sheep and people
shear sufficient sheep within eight hours to match skill level as per industry award minimum rate of pay for learner shearers
suture cuts to sheep
catch and release sheep safely
demonstrate safe and responsible workplace practices
provide due care and handle sheep humanely
clean and maintain shearing equipment, site and facilities
communicate problems, faults and workplace hazards, and to comprehend instructions provided by the owner or overseer
tally shorn sheep count
apply enterprise work health and safety policies in the context of own work
apply enterprise animal welfare policies in the context of own work
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
types of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens
shearing machinery required and their relative functions
industry shearing techniques and positions and method of shearing
aspects of safe handling techniques for catching, dragging, shearing and releasing sheep
basic anatomy of male and female sheep as it relates to the safe humane removal of wool
common sheep diseases
the impacts of sheep behaviour on moving and handling sheep and shearing sheep
personal protective clothing and equipment, and when and how it should be used
Federal and/or State shearing awards and agreements associated with shearing sheep
enterprise biosecurity policies applying to the job role
work health and safety legislation and codes of practice applying to the job role
animal welfare legislation and codes of practice applying to the job role
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
Shearing (SHG)