Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor an automated or manual electrical carcase stimulation unit to ensure that the carcases are receiving the optimal stimulation.
This Unit is applicable to workers monitoring electrical stimulation units in slaughtering establishments.
All work should be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, customer requirements and product specifications.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work including limited responsibility for the work of others. They provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable problems.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
This unit must be delivered and assessed in the context of Australian meat processing standards and regulations.
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. Monitor electrical stimulation unit | 1.1 Monitor the electrical stimulation unit using the correct procedure to check electrical stimulation equipment operation 1.2 Use dummy load across each of the electrical inputs to check operation in accordance with work instructions and manufacturers’ specifications 1.3 Observe for and describe the normal reaction of carcases to electrical stimulation 1.4 Observe for and respond to any abnormal reaction of carcases to electrical stimulation 1.5 Follow up on requests for maintenance and check operation is normal 1.6 Follow workplace health and safety requirements for working around electrical stimulation units |
2. Ensure routine checks of equipment by technicians are performed | 2.1 Arrange or oversee routine checks to ensure a full check of the equipment is made including: electrical parameters, stored programs, electrical safety, electrodes and equipment integration 2.2 Review maintenance and equipment reports detailing the findings and recommendations and implement corrective actions |
3. Respond to audits of carcase specification compliance | 3.1 Describe the pH/temperature window and its importance to meat quality 3.2 Describe the audit process for electrical stimulation unit performance and the various potential findings 3.3 Respond to adverse audit findings including recommendations to alter stimulation inputs, alter stimulation time and adjust chilling regime |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must monitor an automated or manual electrical carcase stimulation unit to ensure that the carcases are receiving the optimal stimulation.
The candidate must:
observe and recognise normal and abnormal carcase responses to electrical stimulation
instruct workers in and around electrical stimulation units to recognise and report abnormal carcase responses
work safely around electrical stimulation units
monitor the electrical stimulation unit using the correct procedure including readouts
use dummy load across each of the electrical inputs to check operation
request and schedule maintenance
review maintenance and performance audit reports and ensure follow up action has been taken
apply communication skills relevant to work instructions and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate a factual, technical, procedural and theoretical knowledge of:
purpose of electrical stimulation
pH/temperature window and its importance to meat quality
causes of heat toughening and cold shortening and the impacts on meat quality
correct procedures to check electrical stimulation equipment operation
purpose of dummy loads to check operation
relevant work instructions and manufacturers’ specifications
normal and abnormal reactions of carcases to electrical stimulation
required routine checks for electrical parameters, stored programs, electrical safety, electrodes and equipment integration
use of an oscilloscope to ensure that the waveform parameters are as specified
maintenance and equipment reports
audit process for electrical stimulation unit performance and the various potential findings
how to respond to adverse audit findings of electrical stimulation unit performance
workplace health and safety issues associated in working around electrical stimulation units
Assessment Conditions
Competency must be demonstrated over time and under typical operating and production conditions for the enterprise.
Assessment must occur in the workplace under normal enterprise or production conditions.
As a minimum, the following three forms of assessment must be used:
quiz of underpinning knowledge
workplace demonstration
workplace referee or third-party report of performance over time
Assessors must satisfy the current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.