Application
This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to accurately calibrate and maintain pH equipment, conduct pH and temperature declines and weekly monitoring, as well as to validate results to ensure conformance to the pH and temperature window.
It is a license requirement for Meat Standards Australia (MSA) enterprises to achieve the pH and temperature window.
The skills and knowledge gained from this unit will allow individuals to monitor pH or temperature window to AUS-MEAT and MSA standards. This unit is suitable for people working in Quality Assurance (QA) or a company grading role.
This unit must be delivered and assessed using Australian meat industry standards and regulations.
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. Operate and calibrate pH equipment | 1.1 Conduct temperature calibrations 1.2 Conduct pH calibrations |
2. Conduct monthly and weekly monitoring of the pH or temperature window | 2.1 Demonstrate correct technique for pH and temperature measurement 2.2 Collect necessary information for validating monitoring 2.3 Collect valid and sufficient readings 2.4 Record and report results |
3. Analyse results of pH and temperature monitoring | 3.1 Recognise effects of heat shortening and cold shortening 3.2 Identify pH and temperature window |
4. Suggest corrective action plans for window non-conformance | 4.1 Identify and evaluate factors impacting on pH or temperature window conformance 4.2 Identify reasons for non-conformance 4.3 Conduct trials to achieve window conformance |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence must demonstrate the candidate's consistency of performance over time at production speed.
The candidate must conduct and validate pH and temperature declines to MSA standards.
The candidate must:
collect information on live animals for use in pH and temperature monitoring
conduct monthly and weekly monitoring of the pH and temperature window
observe, time and follow carcases through the slaughter floor recording the following:
carcase information
chiller number
immobiliser information (if applicable)
rigidity probe information (if applicable)
stimulation information (if applicable)
time entering the chiller
time stunned
analyse results to verify conformance
apply relevant communication and mathematical skills
generate individual and lot average graphs to show pH and temperature window conformance
identify and apply relevant workplace health and safety, regulatory and workplace requirements
maintain currency of knowledge through professional development or self-directed research
operate and calibrate pH and temperature readings
suggest corrective action procedures
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate a broad factual, technical and theoretical knowledge of:
the scope and nature of MSA standards
impact of electrical stimulation on pH decline
impact of chilling factors on pH and temperature decline
how the time it takes a carcase to reach the chiller can impact on the rate of pH decline
pH and temperature window
how cold shortening occurs and characteristics of cold shortened product
how heat shortening occurs and characteristics of heat shortened product
how other electrical inputs can impact the rate of pH decline
the impact of slaughter floor temperature on rate of pH and temperature decline
glycogen and the relationship between stress and pH
what pH is and its importance for eating quality
Assessment Conditions
Competency must be demonstrated over time and under typical operating and production conditions for the enterprise.
The application of competency is to be assessed in the workplace. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and regulatory requirements.
A minimum of three forms of assessment must be used.
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.