This unit requires the application of some judgement and discretion, and would be carried out within enterprise guidelines and within specified timeframes. The continuous supply of sheep with uncontaminated wool to shearers is an essential factor towards the efficiency of a wool harvesting operation.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Provide continuous supply of sheep to shearers

1.1. Potential and existing hazards in the workplace are identified and reported to the supervisor.

1.2. Suitable personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained in line with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and workplace procedures.

1.3. Sheep are penned in their separate mobs according to the instructions of the supervisor.

1.4. Gates are secured to prevent sheep escaping on to the board.

1.5. The speed of shearers is observed and numbers of sheep in catching pens arranged so that shearers all complete shearing at or near mob cutout.

1.6. Sheep numbers are checked in catching pens and pens are filled as they empty to ensure continuous supply to shearers.

1.7. Other pens are refilled as required.

2. Keep mobs separate

2.1. Gates are secured to prevent mixing of mobs.

2.2. Pens are filled with sheep from only one mob at any given time to avoid mixing mobs and wool types.

2.3. Mob cutout is communicated to shed supervisor.

2.4. Sheep are moved to other catching pens to ensure that mob cutout is simultaneous.

2.5. Safe workplace practices with regard to livestock handling are observed and implemented in line with OHS, animal welfare and organisation requirements.

3. Prevent contamination of wool

3.1. Pen density is arranged and monitored to avoid crushing, trampling or soiling of wool.

3.2. Pens are monitored to maintain sheep in standing position to avoid soiling of wool.

3.3. Potential contaminants within pens are minimised and removed.

Required skills

identify hazards and follow safe work procedures

accept and interpret advice from the shed supervisor

observe differences between mobs of sheep

observe shearers workflow and estimate rates for refilling the catching pens and for mob cutout

move sheep in a shed and pen them up

use the accepted communications signals in the shed when shearing and sheep movement is in full force

use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

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

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

Required knowledge

types of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens

gates and catches in shearing sheds

safe handling techniques for catching, dragging, and releasing sheep

animal welfare requirements in relation to sheep

sheep behaviour in the shearing sheds and yards

hazards associated with handling livestock

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

industry awards and conditions

relevant State/Territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS, animal welfare, and the use and control of hazardous substances

communication signals used in the particular shed when shearing and sheep movement is in operation.

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:

observe differences between mobs of sheep

observe workflow and estimate rates for refilling the catching pens and for mob cutout

move sheep in a shed and pen them up

monitor sheep density and check for contaminants in wool.

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.

Pens may include:

front fill

back fill

or side fill pens.

Unit sector

Wool

This unit contains employability skills.