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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for crutching operations
   • Check crutching equipment for correct operation prior to commencing work
   • Identify potential and existing hazards in the workplace and report to the supervisor
   • Select, use and maintain suitable personal protective equipment and ensure correct fit
   • Identify, catch and move sheep to be crutched in line with work health and safety, industry and animal welfare standards
   • Position sheep for crutching
2. Perform crutching operations
   • Activate handpiece and position in readiness for crutching
   • Shear wool from face, crutch or belly as instructed
   • Use crutching methods to ensure that injury to the sheep and damage to the fleece is avoided
   • Use safe handling techniques at all times
3. Respond to complications
   • Identify contamination during crutching and report to wool handlers
   • Treat cuts as required
   • Identify and report flyblown sheep
   • Identify and report problem sheep
4. Complete crutching operations
   • Place wool appropriately to avoid contamination and for wool handlers to collect
   • Switch off handpiece and re-position to non-operational position
   • Release sheep safely from the board into the count out pens
   • Report crutching grievances and difficulties
   • Follow enterprise biosecurity policies where required

Range Statement

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Performance Evidence

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

identify potential and existing hazards to the supervisor

select and use equipment and materials appropriate for crutching sheep

avoid contamination, second cuts and damage to wool, animals and people

catch and release sheep safely

demonstrate safe and responsible workplace practices

provide due care and handle sheep humanely

clean and maintain crutching equipment, site and facilities

communicate problems, faults and workplace hazards to the owner or overseer

tally crutched sheep count

apply enterprise work health and safety policies in the context of own work

apply enterprise animal welfare policies in the context of own work

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

types of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens

shearing machinery required and their relative functions

industry agreed shearing techniques and positions, and method of shearing

safe handling techniques for catching, dragging, shearing and releasing sheep

basic anatomy of male and female sheep as it relates to the safe humane removal of wool.

common sheep diseases as they relate to work health and safety and humane treatment of animals

the impacts of sheep behaviour on moving, handling and shearing sheep

personal protective clothing and equipment, and when and how it should be used

Federal and/or State shearing awards and agreements associated with shearing sheep

enterprise biosecurity policies applying to the job role

work health and safety legislation and codes of practice applying to the job role

animal welfare legislation and codes of practice applying to the job role

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