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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare to extract honey
   • Identify and select appropriate extraction method and equipment for type of honey production used
   • Identify health and safety in the workplace hazards and take action to minimise risks to self and others
   • Select, ensure serviceability, fit and use personal protective equipment
   • Ensure extraction equipment and storage containers are clean, dry, sanitised and serviceable according to workplace procedures, sanitiser product labels and safety data sheets
   • Undertake personal hygiene requirements according to workplace and food safety procedures
2. Prepare unprocessed honey comb
   • Identify, select and reserve frames or sections for unprocessed honey comb according to workplace product and customer requirements
   • Separate and clean sections or divide comb according to workplace product requirements
   • Package, label and store raw honeycomb according to workplace quality assurance, food safety, handling and packaging requirements
3. Extract honey
   • Identify and comply with quality assurance and food safety and handling requirements throughout the process of extracting honey
   • Inspect comb visually for areas of brood and prepare comb to avoid damage to brood
   • Prepare comb to assist the extraction process according to workplace procedures
   • Expose the honey by decapping or breaking comb avoiding unnecessary damage to cells, frames and hive components according to extraction method selected
   • Operate the extraction equipment to remove honey from comb according to equipment operation instructions and safety procedures
4. Handle extracted frames and supers
   • Remove frames from extractor and return to supers according to extraction method, workplace and biosecurity procedures
   • Store extracted supers in suitable bee and pest proof facility awaiting return to apiary according to workplace pest management and biosecurity procedures
   • Return frames to apiary according to workplace barrier system and biosecurity procedures
   • Reserve frames due for rotation or damaged and store for wax extraction or repair according to workplace, quarantine and biosecurity procedures
5. Handle extracted honey
   • Ensure extracted honey meets temperature specifications to assist removal of wax, air, pollen and detritus
   • Test moisture content of honey and take action to maintain appropriate moisture according to workplace procedures
   • Monitor conditions of honey fermentation and implement procedures to reduce risk
6. Store honey
   • Store cleaned honey in containers to meet quality assurance standards, food health regulations and customer requirements
   • Obtain a reference sample of honey, label and store according to workplace procedures
   • Clean, dry and sanitise all equipment and work area according to workplace procedures.
7. Collect and store cappings and raw comb for future wax processing
   • Identify comb suitable for future wax processing
   • Extract residual honey from cappings and raw comb according to workplace procedures
   • Consolidate wax cappings and raw comb and store according to workplace, quarantine and biosecurity procedures
8. Maintain records of honey production
   • Update records for honey production according to workplace procedures and legislative requirements