This unit applies to workers in shearing shed teams who are experienced in working on both the board and table and are able to provide some mentoring and direction to less experienced staff.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Perform board duties

1.1. Stained wool, black wool, and contamination are removed on the shearing board.

1.2. Belly wool is picked up, and stained wool is removed.

1.3. Crutch wool is removed and the hind leg repositioned if necessary.

1.4. Fleece is picked up and thrown, or parked and retrieved later if wool table is not clear.

1.5. Removal of wool and maintenance of the board is monitored and extra support provided when needed.

1.6. Mentoring and demonstration of work skills is provided to inexperienced board staff as required.

1.7. All bending and lifting that is required is done according to safe working practices and using the available safety equipment.

2. Prepare wool

2.1. Locks are swept up and board and table locks are kept separate where directed.

2.2. Shanks and jowls are removed if directed and placed in correct bin.

2.3. Pizzle stain is removed from bellies and placed in stains line.

2.4. Brisket wool is removed if directed by the wool classer.

2.5. Crutchings are swept clear of the board, stain and dags are removed, and placed in correct bins.

2.6. Lambs wool and prematurely shorn wools are carried to the wool table using boards or paddles if required.

2.7. Mentoring and support is provided in wool handling to inexperienced staff as part of the work team role.

3. Skirt fleeces

3.1. Information is sought on wool classer requirements for mob.

3.2. Fribs and sweats are removed and placed in correct bins.

3.3. Short crutch wool and wiggings are removed and placed with locks.

3.4. Wool carrying clumpy vegetable matter is removed if directed by the wool classer.

3.5. Feedback is sought on accuracy of skirting and fleece to skirtings ratio.

3.6. Fleece wool which is defective or lacks uniformity is removed if directed by the wool classer.

4. Maintain wool flow and minimise contamination risk

4.1. The immediate shearing area is swept after each sheep is shorn.

4.2. Shearing boards, wool room, and area beneath the wool table are swept as regularly as necessary during the shearing operation.

4.3. The shearing boards and the wool room are kept free of potential contamination.

4.4. Waste is removed and appropriately placed in full consideration of environmental implications.

4.5. Risk of mixing wool between lines is minimised through regular sweeping and maintaining bins, other containers and the wool area.

4.6. All tasks are completed and contingencies covered through a professional, team-based approach.

4.7. All bending and lifting that is required is done according to safe working practices and using the available safety equipment.

5. Carry out tasks to support the shearing operation

5.1. Rate of shearing is observed and frequency of refilling the catching pens and for mob cutout are estimated.

5.2. Different mobs of sheep are kept separate.

5.3. Directions from the wool classer are implemented and feedback provided on sheep supply and wool flow.

5.4. All butts and bins are emptied and wool pressed.

5.5. Bales are stored as directed.

5.6. Wool working area is swept clean.

5.7. Equipment is stored at the end of shearing.

5.8. Board is washed down and disinfected after shearing cutout.

Required skills

remove fleeces and sweep boards before the next sheep is dragged for shearing

pick up fleeces safely

remove non-fleece wools from the board and place in correct bins

identify and accurately remove stain

use correct technique for skirting and rolling fleece

check quantities in bins

sweep floors and remove contamination

work rapidly within specified timeframes

interpret verbal and visual signals within the wool shed given by the supervisor, the wool classer and the shearers.

monitor sheep supply in pens and fill as necessary

monitor wool flow and the wool working area to ensure risk of mixing between lines is minimised

provide mentoring to less experienced staff

anticipate tasks and apply forward planning

deal with contingencies by supporting other staff in tasks as required

observe and report on adverse environmental impacts

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

maintenance and hygiene requirements of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens

sources and types of contamination

principles of moving and penning animals

animal welfare

shearing requirements

shed and board layouts

environmental codes of practice with regard to shearing

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and animal welfare legislation, codes of practice and enterprise requirements

National codes of practice for the Shearing Industry (Health, Safety and Welfare standards).

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:

monitor supply of sheep and fill pens

pick up and throw fleeces and sweep board

place non-fleece wool in correct bins and remove stain

use correct technique for skirting and rolling fleece

maintain wool flow and minimise the risk of contamination

provide mentoring and demonstration of work skills to less experienced staff.

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.

Duties may include:

those associated with the range of clip types harvested and prepared including merino, crossbred and other breeds.

Unit sector

Wool

This unit contains employability skills.