SFIAQUA206C
Handle stock

This unit of competency involves a range of stock handling activities, including cleaning, moving, grading and stocking of culture or holding structures, half pearl seeding of molluscs, and undertaking specific or general observations. It covers interpreting instructions and using equipment appropriately. This unit also covers handling dangerous stock other than crocodiles. Harvesting and post-harvesting handling activities are covered in SFIAQUA216B Harvest cultured or held stock and SFIAQUA215B Carry out on-farm post-harvest operations, respectively.Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.

Application

Licences may be required if operating:

load-shifting equipment, including forklifts

vehicles

vessels.

All enterprise or workplace procedures and activities are carried out according to relevant government regulations, licensing and other compliance requirements, including occupational health and safety (OHS) guidelines, food safety and hygiene regulations and procedures, and ecologically sustainable development (ESD) principles.

Equipment operation, maintenance, repairs and calibrations are undertaken in a safe manner that conforms to manufacturer instructions. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected, checked used and maintained.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for handling

1.1. Instructions on the handling schedule are taken and understood.

1.2. Required equipmentand materials are collected and checked for serviceability according to manufacturer guidelines.

1.3. Basic repairs and calibrations are made to sub-standard equipment according to manufacturer instructions.

1.4. Data or record sheets/books are collected for use.

1.5. Equipment and data sheets are moved to handling site and readied for use.

1.6. Water and weather conditions are observed and conditions which could adversely impact on the stock handling activity or wellbeing of stock are reported to supervisor.

1.7. Culture or holding structures or systems, or other equipment identified for stocking are prepared to meet the water quality and rearing conditions required by the incoming stock.

1.8. Route for stock being moved is selected for ease of access, safety of workers and minimal risk of stress and damage to stock.

2. Handle stock

2.1. Stock are identified, retrieved and isolated with stock behaviour anticipated and controlled, and appropriate safety measures taken for dangerous stock.

2.2. Stock are handled as instructed by supervisor and in a manner that minimises stock stress and damage.

2.3. Statistical data relating to stock is obtained and recorded without error against required stocking quantities or quality.

2.4. Stock are returned to original culture or holding structure or introduced into a new culture or holding structure or other equipment after acclimatisation, if appropriate.

2.5. Post-handling mortalities are determined and reported to supervisor.

2.6. Stock behaviour is observed and abnormal activities reported to supervisor.

2.7. Automatic or mechanised equipment is operated and maintained.

3. Complete post-handling activities

3.1. Clean up of work area, including repairs and storage of equipment, is supervised, and condition report prepared.

3.2. Relevant handling data, observations or information are recorded legibly and accurately, and any out of range or unusual records are checked.

3.3. Compliance and other required reports are prepared and conveyed to senior personnel advising of the effectiveness of handling, and recommendations made for improvements.

3.4. Feedback on own work performance is sought from supervisor and opportunities to improve identified.

Required Skills

Required skills

communicating with supervisor on handling activities and on own performance

communicating ideas on possible improvements

handling techniques

operating basic handling equipment

maintaining and repairing basic handling equipment

providing oral reports to the supervisor on activity irregularities

recognising normal and abnormal stock behaviour and environmental conditions.

Literacy skills used for:

interpreting handling schedules

recording handling information.

Numeracy skills used for:

counting, weighing and measuring stock and containers.

Required knowledge

abnormal stock behaviour and methods of control

basic stock behaviour and biological requirements as they relate to stock handling activities

correct handling for dangerous species

effects of handling on stock

effects of water and weather conditions on stock and OHS of employees

handling equipment maintenance and basic repairs

handling equipment options and limitations

life cycles of species as they relate to stock handling activities

operation and maintenance of automatic or mechanised equipment

record keeping

safety considerations and hazards associated with moving stock

stock type and groupings.

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

Critical aspects for assessment evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit

Assessment must confirm ability to:

handle stock with minimum risk of stress and injury to stock, according to instructions

recognise a range of stock types and groupings.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

behaviour and biological requirements of stock

procedures for stock handling activities

safety considerations and hazards associated with moving stock.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment and should include typical handling activities that are normally being undertaken in the region.

Resources may include:

any products and treatments required for handling activities

data sheets for recording handling and stock information

equipment for handling stock

handling schedule

source/destination culture or holding structures

stock which represent a range of groupings

work procedures for stock handling.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

demonstration

practical exercises

written or oral short-answer testing.

Guidance information for assessment

This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.


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.

Relevant government regulations, licensing and other compliance requirements may include:

biodiversity and genetically modified organisms

biosecurity, translocation and quarantine

business or workplace operations, policies and practices

correct marketing names and labelling

environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control

food safety/Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), hygiene and temperature control along chain of custody, and Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) Export Control (Fish) orders

health and welfare of aquatic animals

maritime operations, safety at sea and pollution control

OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control.

OHS guidelines may include:

appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits and fire extinguishers

codes of practice, regulations and/or guidance notes which may apply in a jurisdiction or industry sector

enterprise-specific OHS procedures, policies or standards

hazard and risk assessment of workplace, maintenance activities and control measures

induction or training of staff, contractors and visitors in relevant OHS procedures and/or requirements to allow them to carry out their duties in a safe manner

OHS training register

safe lifting, carrying and handling techniques, including manual handling, and the handling and storage of hazardous substances

safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, fall protection, confined space entry and the protection of people in the workplace

systems and procedures for the safe maintenance of property, machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and exposed moving parts

the appropriate use, maintenance and storage of PPE.

Food safety and hygiene regulations and procedures may include:

Australian Shellfish Sanitation program

equipment design, use, cleaning and maintenance

exporting requirements, including AQIS Export Control (Fish) orders

HACCP, food safety program, and other risk minimisation and quality assurance systems

location, construction and servicing of seafood premises

people, product and place hygiene and sanitation requirements

Primary Products Standard and the Australian Seafood Standard (voluntary)

product labelling, tracing and recall

receipt, storage and transportation of food, including seafood and aquatic products

requirements set out in Australian and New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) Food Standards Code and state and territory food regulations

temperature and contamination control along chain of custody.

ESD principles may include:

applying animal welfare ethics and procedures

control of effluents, chemical residues, contaminants, wastes and pollution

improving energy efficiency

increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources

minimising noise, dust, light or odour emissions

preventing live cultured or held organisms from escaping into environment

reducing emissions of greenhouse gases

reducing energy use

reducing use of non-renewable resources

undertaking environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control.

PPE may include:

gloves, mitts or gauntlets, and protective hand and arm covering

buoyancy vest or personal floatation device (PFD)

hard hat or protective head covering

hearing protection (e.g. ear plugs and ear muffs)

non-slip and waterproof boots (gumboots) or other safety footwear

personal locator beacon or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)

protective outdoor clothing for tropical conditions

safety harness

sun protection (e.g. sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses)

uniforms, overalls or protective clothing (e.g. mesh and waterproof aprons)

waterproof clothing (e.g. wet weather gear and waders).

Handling schedule may include:

destination of handled stock

handling activities

pre-handling activities (e.g. purging and anaesthesia)

quantities to be handled (e.g. number, volume and weight)

specific requirements, such as:

dangerous activities

observations to be made

special care or handling techniques

stock species and types to be handled

timing of handling

work team members.

Equipmentand materials may include:

aerators and other water treatment equipment

anaesthetic restraints for dangerous animals

cleaning equipment

counters

culture or holding structures

fish pump

graders

handling equipment:

nets

cages

traps

scoops

PPE

remote operated video or still camera

scales and measuring equipment

swim way

transport equipment:

buckets or pails

boxes or bags

tanks or transporters.

Culture or holding structures or systems, or other equipment may include:

blowers, aerators, paddlewheels and aspirators

greenhouses, hothouses and igloos

pest, predator and disease control structures

water supply and disposal or effluent systems, including pumps, pipes, canals, channels, settlement ponds and storage dams

cages, pontoons, enclosures and pens, including associated moorings, anchors and markers

dams, ponds and pools

display tanks, aquaria and aquascapes

grow out facilities, hatcheries and nurseries

harvesting swimways, canals or channels

live holding tanks, bins, cages and pens

longlines, posts, racks and rails, rafts, fences, socks, trays, sticks, baskets, modules, barrels, bags and panels

open, flow-through, closed and semi-closed systems

purging or depurating systems

tanks, raceways and recirculating systems.

Water quality and rearing conditions may include:

contaminants (e.g. nitrogenous wastes, carbon dioxide and pollutants)

dissolved oxygen

hardness

integrity of structure (e.g. no holes, tears or rips)

pH

predators, competitors and pests

salinity

water flow

water level

water temperature.

Dangerous stock may include:

poisonous molluscs

stock with spikes, spines and teeth.

Handled may include:

anaesthesia of stock

count:

by hand (e.g. gloves, counters and tally sheet)

electronic machines (e.g. videos and sensors)

hand-operated machines

number, volume or weight

half pearl seeding of molluscs

move, transport and transfer:

cages

fish pumps

nets, buckets, brails and bins

swim channels, pipes and raceways

transport containers

stock cleaning (generally only undertaken with molluscs, such as pearl oysters, mussels and oysters):

baths or raceways

by hand (e.g. water, chipping and scrubbing using hoses, sprays, gloves, chisels, brushes and knives)

hoses and sprays

no chemical usage

pearl net panel washing machines

turning of seeded molluscs

weigh and measure.

Statistical data may include:

acclimatise:

hardness

pH

salinity

temperature

age

grade and sort:

by hand

electronic machines

grading/sorting table

mechanical (e.g. rollers, drums, sloping screens and vibrating screens)

simple, hand-operated equipment (e.g. sieves, screens and meshes)

growth rates

introduce into stock culture structures

mortalities

numbers.


Sectors

Unit sector

Aquaculture operations


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Refer to Unit Descriptor