This unit applies to shearers who demonstrate a high level of professional skill.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare and set up equipment to optimise shearing output

1.1. Range and condition of equipment available for selection meets anticipated shearing conditions.

1.2. Equipment is selected and set up based on the assessment of shearing conditions to ensure the optimum yield and shearing throughput within Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements.

1.3. Equipment performance is monitored and adjustments are initiated to maintain optimum shearing throughput.

2. Assess and monitor the shearing conditions and environment

2.1. The style and approach adopted for the shear are appropriate to the shearing conditions, and maintain the quality and throughput at a level that meets enterprise requirements.

2.2. Approaches for mitigating adverse shearing conditions are adopted prior to and during the shearing.

2.3. Monitoring and assessment of the shearing environment are undertaken with consideration of the whole wool harvesting operation.

2.4. Potential and existing hazards are identified and resolved to ensure the quality and throughput are at a level that meets grower and contractor expectations.

2.5. Opportunities to support and encourage the performance of other shearers are identified and constructively responded to while maintaining own output.

3. Maintain control, rhythm and output during shearing

3.1. Personal position and shearing method is adapted to accommodate limitations in equipment performance and set up.

3.2. Timing, length and width of blows optimise selected shearing pattern.

3.3. Blow commencement and finish positions are economical of effort and reflect the shortest route.

3.4. Blow placement, body work and sheep positioning combine to represent sustainable shearing effort and output.

Required skills

prepare and set up equipment to optimise shearing output

assess and monitor a diverse range of shearing conditions and environments

maintain control, co-ordination, rhythm, high quality performance and output during shearing

work in a team as a piece worker

use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, develop sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of tasks

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine and more complex workplace measures and data

use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

types of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens

shearing machinery required and their relative functions

industry agreed shearing techniques, and positions and method of shearing

safe handling techniques for catching, dragging, shearing and releasing sheep

anatomy of all types of sheep

sheep diseases

animal welfare requirements in relation to sheep

sheep behaviour

personal protective clothing and equipment, and when and how it should be used

Federal Pastoral Industry Award and/or State Shearing Award of Queensland, or Western Australian Shearing Contractors Award

relevant State/Territory legislation and awards, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS and animal welfare.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

prepare and set up equipment to optimise shearing output

assess and monitor a diverse range of shearing conditions and environments

maintain control, co-ordination, rhythm, high quality performance and output during shearing.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Techniques may include:

those that cover all sheep types, shearing facilities and equipment that are likely to be used for wool harvesting.

Unit sector

Shearing

This unit contains employability skills.