Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to sort and prepare livestock for shearing.
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 broad direction and take responsibility for their own work including limited responsibility for the work of others. 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. Sort livestock for shearing | 1.1 Locate, identify and confirm livestock with as specified in shearing plan 1.2 Muster livestock and move to shearing facilities, sort, count and yard livestock 1.3 Identify livestock with pigmented fleece and cull for separate shearing operations 1.4 Identify potential and existing hazards, assess risks and implement control measures in line with enterprise work health and safety policies 1.5 Select, use and maintain suitable personal protective equipment 1.6 Comply with animal welfare codes of practice |
2. Prepare livestock for shearing | 2.1 Check shearing, cleaning and drenching equipment for correct operation 2.2 Crutch livestock as required 2.3 Remove contaminated and stained wool and dispose of appropriately 2.4 Take livestock off feed to allow emptying out before shearing |
3. Monitor livestock | 3.1 Provide and maintain feed and water supplies for livestock 3.2 Provide and maintain suitable shelter for livestock 3.3 Monitor livestock condition and health status for evidence of sickness, and record or report as required 3.4 Monitor and control environmental implications associated with shearing activities 3.5 Apply enterprise biosecurity policies |
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 preparing livestock for shearing.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
identify hazards and implement safe work procedures
select equipment appropriate to crutching and shearing tasks
organise crutching and shearing operations
muster, move, draft and handle livestock in compliance with animal welfare requirements
observe and monitor livestock health and condition and detect disease or nutritional disorders and treat appropriately
organise feed and water supplies
avoid and remove contamination of fleece
demonstrate safe and environmentally responsible workplace practices
communicate verbally with work team and manager
calculate livestock numbers, keep mobs separate
follow enterprise work health and safety policies in the context of own work
follow enterprise biosecurity policies in the context of own work
follow enterprise animal welfare policies in the context of own work
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
different types and purposes of shearing boards, yards and catching pens
components and functions of shearing, cleaning and drenching equipment
handling, mustering and movement techniques
livestock breeds, nutritional and hygiene requirements
possible fleece contaminants and types of pigmentation faults
biosecurity legislation and codes of practice 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)