This unit is for workers who are employed to undertake ante-mortem inspection or who assist those undertaking ante-mortem inspection. Such inspection may occur in a slaughtering establishment or saleyard, up to and including the knocking box.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify animal species and breeds, and their behavioural characteristics

1.1. Common breeds are identified.

1.2. Normal behavioural characteristics of relevant species are identified.

2. Identify and comply with animal welfare requirements for stock handling and lairage facilities

2.1. Animal welfare regulatory requirements are identified and complied with.

2.2. Workplace and regulatory requirements for lairage are identified and confirmed as suitable for use.

2.3. Facilities and equipment are identified and confirmed as suitable for use.

3. Handle animals to achieve objective or outcome required

3.1. Animals are moved and 'processed' (e.g. for ante-mortem inspection) and sorted as required by workplace and regulatory standards.

3.2. Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) requirements for handling animals are identified and complied with.

3.3. Animals are handled appropriately to prevent injury, minimise stress and maintain the quality of hides or pelts.

4. Handle contingencies

4.1. Suspect sick or injured stock are handled in accordance with workplace and regulatory requirements.

4.2. Wild or uncooperative animals are handled humanely without disturbing or injuring other animals or people.

5. Deal with affected animals appropriately

5.1. Affected animals are treated in accordance with regulatory, workplace and OH&S requirements.

Required skills

Ability to:

take steps to minimise stress and injury to stock during handling procedures

handle animals humanely during ante-mortem inspection

handle sick and injured animals in accordance with workplace and regulatory requirements

apply emergency procedures as required

work effectively as an individual and as part of a team

use effective interpersonal skills in a range of contexts, including stressful situations

comply with OH&S requirements for handling stock

take action to improve own work performance as a result of self-evaluation, feedback from others, or in response to changed work practices or technology

use communication skills relevant to the task

Required knowledge

Knowledge of:

methods to handle livestock in a calm and stress-free manner

impact of stress during handling on the ultimate pH and quality of meat

impact of poor handling

OH&S requirements for handling stock

regulatory and workplace requirements for animal welfare

documentation required for ante-mortem inspection

regulatory requirements when dealing with animals affected by common and exotic or notifiable diseases

procedures for dealing with animal-handling emergencies

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

Competency must demonstrate compliance with:

animal welfare legislation

Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) and/or state meat authority regulation

company procedures

any specific company requirements.

Context of, and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a stockyard or lairage under real working conditions.

Method of assessment

Recommended methods of assessment include:

quiz of underpinning knowledge

workplace demonstration

workplace referee or third-party report of performance over time.

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.

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.

Workplace requirements may include:

enterprise-specific procedures

OH&S requirements

Quality Assurance (QA) requirements

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

the ability to perform the task to production requirements

work instructions.

Regulatory requirements may include:

Export Control Act

federal, state and territory regulations regarding meat processing

hygiene and sanitation requirements

relevant Australian Standards

relevant regulations

requirements set out in AS 4696:2007 Australian Standard for Hygienic Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat Products for Human Consumption.

OH&S requirements may include:

enterprise OH&S policies, procedures and programs

OH&S legal requirements

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which may include:

coats and aprons

ear plugs or muffs

eye and facial protection

head-wear

lifting assistance

mesh aprons

protective boot covers

protective hand and arm covering

protective head and hair covering

uniforms

waterproof clothing

work, safety or waterproof footwear

requirements set out in standards and codes of practice.

Contingencies may include:

livestock of various temperaments, from very tame to wild, which are unused to human contact or any handling procedures.

Communication skills may include

listening and understanding

sharing information

speaking clearly and directly

working with diverse individuals and groups.

Unit sector

This unit contains employability skills.