This unit covers skills and knowledge required to prepare lines of wool that are suitable for processing and meet the requirements of the industry Code of Practice.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Separate wools with characteristics outside the uniformity requirements of the Code of Practice.

1.1. Assessment of sheep breed and wool type is made.

1.2. Wools are separated into different lines based on:

1.2.1. fibre diameter

1.2.2. length and strength

1.2.3. colour and character

1.2.4. handle and style.

1.3. Staple formation and tip is checked.

1.4. Wool is examined for medullation and/or pigmentation.

2. Separate wool showing faults that impact on processing or fabric quality.

2.1. Wool is examined for dogginess that will impact on fabric quality.

2.2. Wool is checked for cotts that will require extra processing.

2.3. Skin pieces are identified and removed.

2.4. Wool is checked for dermatitis and kept separate.

2.5. Wool with a level and type of vegetable matter contamination that requires different processing is kept separate.

2.6. Mobs with high pigmented fibre risk are recorded according to the Code of Practice and their wool kept completely separate from low risk wool.

2.7. Wool from sheep with shedding characteristics is identified and kept completely separate from non-shedding white woolled sheep, with any risk of exposure documented on the classer's report.

2.8. Fleeces containing pigmented fibre in a white woolled flock are kept separate.

2.9. Wool containing stain is kept separate.

3. Recognise impurities of greasy wool and their effect on processing and yield.

3.1. Wool is examined for natural impurities.

3.2. Applied impurities are identified and their effect on processing is assessed.

3.3. Acquired impurities are identified and their effect on processing and yield of clean fibre is assessed.

Required skills

assess key wool characteristics

identify wool faults

recognise impurities

separate wool that does not meet Code of Practice requirements for uniform, predictable low risk lines of wool

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

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required

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

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

Required knowledge

breeds of sheep

documentation of wool clips

fleece measurement criteria - techniques used to measure wool characteristics

Code of Practice for the Preparation of Australian Wool Clips

processing methods - woollen and worsted, and stages of processing

raw wool characteristics and their effect on processing and final product

measurement of wool characteristics - diameter, length and strength, colour, yield, VM type, curvature and comfort factor

wool faults and their impact on processing and fabric quality

impurities of wool and their impact on processing and yield of clean fibre after processing

wool growth, skin and fibre biology, and effect of genetics and environment on fibre characteristics.

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:

assess the key characteristics of wool

separate wool that differs in processing performance

remove all stained fibre from clean wool

separate wool with differing levels and types of impurities with due regard to required knowledge and skill, potential risks to human and animal health and the environment.

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.

Types of wool may include:

all wools that can be sold through the auction system.

Unit sector

Wool

This unit contains employability skills.