Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to pack meat products using vacuum packaging in a retail operation.
This unit is applicable to workers in meat retail operations.
All training must be conducted in accordance with Australian meat industry standards and regulations.
All work should be carried out to comply with workplace and hygiene requirements.
This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision, exercise limited autonomy and have some responsibility for their own work.
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 product for packaging | 1.1 Prepare product for vacuum packaging to required specifications |
2. Select packaging | 2.1 Select appropriately sized bag for product 2.2 Arrange product on appropriate container |
3. Set machine requirements | 3.1 Complete requirements in preparation for start-up of vacuum packing machine to workplace requirements 3.2 Set machine requirements correctly 3.3 Follow start-up procedures according to workplace requirements 3.4 Attach and change packing materials according to workplace requirements and product specification 3.5 Place bagged meat on the vacuum packing machine or in the formed pockets as appropriate 3.6 Place open ends of bags flat across the sealing bar or meat contained in pockets as appropriate 3.7 Follow workplace health and safety and hygiene and sanitation requirements |
4. Operate machinery | 4.1 Operate vacuum packaging machine in accordance with workplace requirements 4.2 Vacuum pack a variety of products to customer specifications, hygiene and sanitation, workplace health and safety and Quality Assurance (QA) requirements, at a speed appropriate for production requirements 4.3 Drain bagged cuts 4.4 Perform shut-down procedures to workplace, workplace health and safety, and hygiene and sanitation requirements |
5. Ensure quality of packaging and product | 5.1 Inspect bagged cuts for leaks and other defects 5.2 Take corrective action when leaks and defects are identified according to workplace requirements |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence must demonstrate the candidate's consistency of performance over time at production speed.
The candidate must:
prepare for vacuum packaging according to workplace health and safety and workplace requirements
vacuum pack bagged cuts with no leaks or defects
explain defects that can occur during packaging
identify sub-standard or contaminated product
clean equipment according to hygiene requirements
work with team members
apply relevant regulatory and workplace requirements
report equipment faults, either verbally or in writing, according to workplace requirements
seek advice from appropriate sources when working with new products or equipment
use mathematical skills relevant to the task
use elevant communication skills
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate a basic factual, technical and procedural knowledge of:
workplace procedures for dealing with sub-standard or contaminated products
defects that can occur during packaging
packaging requirements
specific workplace health and safety requirements for vacuum packing
the purpose of vacuum packaging
general machine operating principles, including start-up and shut-down procedures
manufacturer and workplace requirements for vacuum packaging of product
relevant regulatory and workplace requirements
Assessment Conditions
Competency must be demonstrated over time and under typical operating conditions for the enterprise.
Assessment must occur in the workplace under normal enterprise conditions or in a simulated environment.
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 current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.