MTMG304A
Receive and inspect wild game carcases at a processing plant

This unit covers the competencies required to make a disposition on game carcases as they are received at a game processing plant.

Application

This unit is applicable to an operator who performs pre-dressing inspection of game carcases at a processing plant. The operator will assess carcases according to regulatory and customer requirements and make appropriate dispositions.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Perform pre-dressing inspection of wildgame animal carcases

1.1. Relevant work instructions and standard operating procedures (SOPs) are followed.

1.2. Tags of all carcases are inspected for compliance.

1.3. Tags of all carcases are inspected for determination of eligibility.

1.4. All types of contamination, diseases and abnormalities relevant to making a disposition are identified.

1.5. Disposition is made according to the relevant work instruction.

1.6. Carcases are retained, where required.

1.7. Inspection results are communicated and recorded.

2. Test and record the temperature of wild game animal carcases (where applicable to the work instruction)

2.1. Work instruction for taking carcase temperature is implemented.

2.2. Disposition is made according to work instruction for testing carcase temperature.

2.3. Sampling procedures for temperature testing are implemented.

2.4. Carcase temperature is manually tested.

2.5. Sample carcases are retained for micro-testing, where applicable.

3. Weigh carcases (where part of work instruction or employee's duties)

3.1. Relevant work instruction and SOPs are followed for weighing carcases on receival.

3.2. Scales are prepared and tared.

3.3. Carcases are weighed.

3.4. Under weights are reported.

4. Maintain records

(where part of work instruction or employee's duties)

4.1. Depot and truck temperature data logging records are retrieved and stored.

4.2. Receival records are recorded and stored.

4.3. Reports are prepared according to workplace and regulatory requirements.

4.4. Issues associated with record keeping are communicated to appropriate personnel.

Required Skills

Required skills

Ability to:

assess harvester tags for completeness, eligibility and accuracy

assess temperature of carcases (where required)

identify

faecal material

ingesta

enlarged or discoloured kidneys

indication of any decomposition process

emaciated carcases

abnormal animals

fly strike

mould

unacceptable contamination by other foreign matter

faulty dressing (bladder left in,pluck missing, kidney(s) missing etc)

evidence of animal welfare issues (e.g. non head-shot/brain shot )

determine which carcase needs to be retained

communicate and record inspection results

ensure requirements of the work instruction have been addressed

read and interpret workplace related documentation

apply numeracy skills to workplace requirements

share information

show independence during inspection

work without supervision

where necessary delegate

collect, analyse and organise information

take initiative and make decisions within workplace role

use technology and workplace-related equipment

Required knowledge

Knowledge of:

relevant sections of AS 4464: 2007 Hygienic Production of Wild Game Meat for Human Consumption

importance of the process and the need to control the unloading process to ensure adequate inspection

relevant work instruction and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

state wildlife/conservation authority requirements

company Food Safety Approved Program requirements

Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) hazards associated with unloading

lighting requirements

temperature requirements

sampling and temperature check procedures and reporting requirements

micro testing arrangements

rejection and disposal processes

carcase retain procedures

calibration requirements

processes for scales preparation and carcase weighing

weight requirements and underweight reporting procedures

company and regulatory reporting requirements

approved tag requirements

inspection records requirements

evidence of diseases and conditions

causes of contamination

anatomy of game animals sufficient to provide meaningful and objective feedback to harvesters and depot managers

identification and traceability regulations/requirements

nature of data logger information

Evidence Required

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

The meat industry has specific and clear requirements for evidence. A minimum of three forms of evidence is required to demonstrate competency in the meat industry. This is specifically designed to provide evidence that covers the demonstration in the workplace of all aspects of competency over time.

These requirements are in addition to the requirements for valid, current, authentic and sufficient evidence.

Three forms of evidence means three different kinds of evidence - not three pieces of the same kind. In practice it will mean that most of the unit is covered twice. This increases the legitimacy of the evidence.

All assessment must be conducted against Australian meat industry standards and regulations.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Candidates must be able to:

demonstrate competent pre-dressing inspection of carcases following presentation without guidance or supervision

recognise diseases and abnormal conditions and make dispositions.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This competency has to be demonstrated under actual work conditions at a game processing works receiving carcases either from field depots or direct from the field.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods may include:

workplace referee report

on-the-job demonstration with assessor observation

knowledge test

recognition of diseases and conditions from photographic records or preserved samples

oral and written examinations.

Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander, gender, or language backgrounds other than English. Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role.

Guidance information for assessment

A current list of resources for this Unit of Competency is available from MINTRAC www.mintrac.com.au or telephone 1800 817 462.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Wild game refers to:

any vertebrate animal:

including a mammal, bird or reptile, but excluding fish; and

of a species that can be legally harvested; and

not husbanded in the manner of a farmed animal; and

is killed in the field.

and may include:

kangaroos

wallabies

wild boar

wild goat

possum

rabbit

hare

wild game birds.

Approved tags may include:

harvester or company tags

state and territory wildlife authority tags.

Contamination may include:

faecal material

ingesta

fly strike

mould

unacceptable contamination by other foreign matter

inadequate dressing (e.g. bladder left in,pluck missing and kidneys missing).

Diseases and abnormalities may include:

tumours

abscesses

cysts

abnormal carcases

nasal and eye discharge (rabbits)

any other conditions listed in AS 4464:2007 Australian Standard for Hygienic Production of Wild Game Meat for Human Consumption that are relevant to making a disposition at this inspection point.

Regulatory requirements may include:

state, territory and federal regulations administered by:

food authorities

Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS)

parks and wildlife authorities

state and territory government departments

relevant sections of AS 4464:2007 Hygienic production of wild game meat for human consumption.


Sectors

Unit sector


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not Applicable