Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to press wool into bales and related tasks.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety and biosecurity legislation and codes.
This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their 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 wool pressing | 1.1 Identify work health and safety hazards and report to the supervisor 1.2 Select and use suitable personal protective equipment 1.3 Identify the lines of wool to be pressed and confirm with the supervisor 1.4 Check the wool press for safe operation and report any issues to supervisor 1.5 Carry out any required lubrication and maintenance as directed by supervisor 1.6 Prepare the work area in readiness for pressing as instructed 1.7 Check the scales to be used for accuracy and calibrate if necessary, as instructed 1.8 Check the press and its location for safety 1.9 Identify any defective equipment and report to the supervisor |
2. Press wool | 2.1 Apply safe working practices using the available safety equipment 2.2 Remove contamination from the woolpack and place in the appropriate location 2.3 Place all wool correctly and evenly in the press, as directed 2.4 Press bales safely for weight and length as directed 2.5 Keep work area in a condition that avoids contamination of the wool |
3. Close and stack bales | 3.1 Use approved bale dividers as instructed and ensure flaps are correctly fastened 3.2 Identify bales for branding before removing them from the press 3.3 Store bales safely, avoiding injury to presser, risk to other workers, and damage to bales and equipment |
4. Complete recording requirement | 4.1 Brand bales as directed 4.2 Weigh bales and have weight checked by supervisor 4.3 Record bale weights, numbers and descriptions using the appropriate recording system, as directed and arrange a check by the supervisor |
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:
observe and report on work health and safety hazards and risks
apply standard operating procedures for the press and equipment
operate different types of wool presses under supervision
operate the various types of scales and manual handling devices and supervision
maintain uniform bale weights for each line
brand bales clearly and accurately
handle and stack wool bales efficiently and without risk to self, other people or machinery
record bale information to be interpreted and used by other people
communicate with wool classer/supervisor
apply work health and safety practices in the context of own work
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
sources of contamination of the fleece
the requirements of Code of Practice for the Preparation of Australian Wool Clips as it relates to wool pressing
methods of handling fleece and bales that minimise risk to own health, including safe lifting and bending techniques
features of industry standards for weight, length of bales, fastening methods and type of pack
industry standards for bale branding
features of the recording system for bale details in use in the organisation
enterprise work health and safety policies
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the work place or workplace and simulated environments that accurately reflect 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
Wool (WOL)