Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

AHCSHG204A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Shear sheep to improver level

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCSHG204A - Shear sheep to improver level
Description This unit covers the process of selecting, handling and shearing of sheep to improver level and defines the standard required to: set up and adjust handpiece to the shearing conditions; operate shearing equipment safely; maintain position and control of the sheep while minimising stress on the shearer; avoid damage to sheep as well as second cuts and contaminants in fleece; handle and shear 70 to 80 sheep per day using industry accepted methods and procedures; recognise problem and diseased sheep and report accordingly.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to working with the application of judgement and discretion and would be carried out with minimal supervision as part of a shearing operation.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare for shearing
  • Shearing equipment is checked for correct operation prior to shearing session.
  • Potential and existing hazards in the workplace are identified, and reported to the supervisor.
  • Suitable personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained in line with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and workplace procedures.
       
Element: Perform shearing operations
  • Sheep to be shorn are identified, caught and moved in line with organisational, OHS, industry and animal welfare standards.
  • Sheep are positioned for shearing using identified positions in line with industry standards.
  • Handpiece is activated and positioned in readiness for shearing operations.
  • Sheep are shorn using identified method and positions in line with industry standards.
  • Shearing methods ensure that injuries and damage to the sheep and fleece is avoided in meeting volume expectations.
  • Safe and humane handling techniques are used at all times according to OHS and animal welfare requirements.
       
Element: Respond to complications
  • Contamination is identified during shearing operations and reported to wool handlers in line with enterprise requirements.
  • Sheep cuts are sutured in line with industry standards and animal welfare requirements.
  • Flyblown sheep are identified and reported in line with industry standards and animal welfare requirements.
  • Problem sheep are identified and reported in line with industry and enterprise requirements.
       
Element: Complete shearing operation
  • Wool is placed to avoid contamination and for wool handlers to collect in line with enterprise and industry requirements.
  • Handpiece is set to non-operational position and stored in line with manufacturer's specifications and enterprise requirements.
  • Sheep are safely released from the board into the count-out pens.
  • Shearing grievances and difficulties are reported in line with enterprise requirements.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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 and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

set up and adjust handpiece to the shearing conditions

operate shearing equipment safely

maintain position and control of the sheep while minimising stress on the shearer

avoid damage to sheep as well as second cuts and contaminants in fleece

handle and shear 70 to 80 sheep per day using industry accepted methods and procedures

recognise problem and diseased sheep and report accordingly.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

identify hazards and follow safety directions

select and use equipment and materials appropriate for shearing sheep

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

shear sufficient sheep within eight hours to match skill level as per industry award minimum rate of pay for learner shearers

suturing

catch and release sheep safely

demonstrate safe and responsible workplace practices

provide due care and handle sheep humanely

clean and maintain shearing equipment, site and facilities

read and interpret manufacturers specifications, work and maintenance plans

work in a team as a team member

communicate problems, faults and workplace hazards, and to comprehend instructions provided by the owner or overseer

tally shorn sheep count

use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

types of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens

shearing machinery required and their relative functions

industry shearing techniques and positions and method of shearing

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

anatomy of all types of sheep

sheep diseases

animal welfare requirements in relation to sheep

sheep behaviour

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

Federal Pastoral Industry Award and/or State Shearing Award of Queensland, and/or Western Australian Shearing Contractors Award

relevant State/Territory legislation and awards, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS, animal welfare.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Animals may include:

all types of woollen sheep as well as all ages and genders of sheep, including rams, ewes, wethers, lambs, hoggets, and stags.

Shearing rate may include:

a rate that must be equivalent to the minimum rate of pay as set down by the industry award - between 70 and 80 sheep per day.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Shearing equipment is checked for correct operation prior to shearing session. 
Potential and existing hazards in the workplace are identified, and reported to the supervisor. 
Suitable personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained in line with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and workplace procedures. 
Sheep to be shorn are identified, caught and moved in line with organisational, OHS, industry and animal welfare standards. 
Sheep are positioned for shearing using identified positions in line with industry standards. 
Handpiece is activated and positioned in readiness for shearing operations. 
Sheep are shorn using identified method and positions in line with industry standards. 
Shearing methods ensure that injuries and damage to the sheep and fleece is avoided in meeting volume expectations. 
Safe and humane handling techniques are used at all times according to OHS and animal welfare requirements. 
Contamination is identified during shearing operations and reported to wool handlers in line with enterprise requirements. 
Sheep cuts are sutured in line with industry standards and animal welfare requirements. 
Flyblown sheep are identified and reported in line with industry standards and animal welfare requirements. 
Problem sheep are identified and reported in line with industry and enterprise requirements. 
Wool is placed to avoid contamination and for wool handlers to collect in line with enterprise and industry requirements. 
Handpiece is set to non-operational position and stored in line with manufacturer's specifications and enterprise requirements. 
Sheep are safely released from the board into the count-out pens. 
Shearing grievances and difficulties are reported in line with enterprise requirements. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCSHG204A - Shear sheep to improver level
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AHCSHG204A - Shear sheep to improver level

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: