Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to catch, handle and shear goats.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity requirements and sustainability practices.
This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for own work. They identify and provide solutions to a limited range of predictable problems.
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, catch and move goats to be shorn 1.3 Prepare shearing equipment in readiness for shearing operations 1.4 Identify potential and existing hazards in the workplace and report to the supervisor 1.5 Select, use and maintain suitable personal protective equipment |
2. Perform shearing operations | 2.1 Position goat for shearing using identified positions and shear 2.2 Use shearing methods that ensure that damage to the goat and fleece is minimised while meeting volume of shearing expectations 2.3 Shear goats using safe and humane handling techniques at all times 2.4 Comply with work health and safety and animal welfare requirements |
3. Respond to complications | 3.1 Identify contamination during shearing operations and report to owner 3.2 Treat cuts to goats as required 3.3 Identify problem goats and report |
4. Complete shearing operation | 4.1 Place fibre to avoid contamination and for collection by handlers 4.2 Set handpiece to non-operational position and store 4.3 Release goats safely from the board into the count-out pens 4.4 Report shearing grievances and difficulties to supervisor 4.5 Monitor and control environmental implications associated with shearing activities 4.6 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 provide evidence that they can:
identify hazards and implement safe work practices
select and operate equipment appropriate to shearing tasks
shear goats using industry accepted methods and procedures
avoid contamination, second cuts and damage to fleece, goats and people
appropriately treat injured goats
handle goats with due care
maintain safe and hazard-free equipment
effectively communicate with supervisor
apply enterprise work health and safety policies in the context of own work
apply enterprise animal welfare, biosecurity policies in the context of own work
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
types of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens
components and functions of shearing equipment and machinery
industry accepted handling and shearing techniques and positions
basic goat anatomy and behavioural characteristics as they impact on shearing of goats
common goat diseases and treatments as they impact on work health and safety and humane treatment of goats
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)