Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish a sampling program in a meat processing plant.
This unit is applicable to Quality Assurance (QA) personnel and regulatory officers required to:
establish a sampling plan for testing or monitoring meat and meat products
prepare aseptic samples for testing
report on testing results.
All work should be carried out to comply with workplace and regulatory requirements.
This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of others’ work within known parameters. They provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems.
This unit must be delivered and assessed in the context of Australian meat processing 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. Establish and implement a valid sampling plan | 1.1 Recognise and use sampling tables from AS 1199.1-2003 and AS 1199.0-2003 1.2 Determine scope and purpose of sampling 1.3 Determine acceptable quality levels in accordance with relevant Australian Standards 1.4 Determine sampling plans 1.5 Conduct sampling according to workplace requirements 1.6 Record and monitor test results Interpret and report test results to relevant personnel |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must establish a sampling program. Evidence must demonstrate the candidate’s consistency of performance over time.
The candidate must:
establish a sampling plan in accordance with relevant Australian Standards
demonstrate aseptic sampling techniques for micro-samples or swabs
apply an appropriate level of mathematical skills to undertake accurate sampling
utilise available workplace technology to establish, record and monitor sampling program data
work effectively as an individual and as part of a team
identify and apply relevant workplace health and safety, regulatory and workplace requirements
record sampling information accurately to meet workplace and regulatory requirements
report test results to relevant personnel promptly
use relevant communication skills
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate a broad factual, technical and theoretical knowledge of:
routine tests performed on meat or meat products in the plant
preparation and analysis of specimens or samples
requirements of relevant Australian Standards
Assessment Conditions
Competency must be demonstrated using the current Australian Standard and implementing an approved workplace procedure. Assessment must involve a demonstration of skills at a meat processing plant or related work situation.
A minimum of three different 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.