Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to safely assemble and disassemble beehives, identify and repair damaged components, and treat hive components according to biosecurity and legislative requirements.
The unit applies to beekeepers who work under routine supervision. This includes identifying and providing solutions to a limited range of predictable problems.
State and territory legislation, regulations and local government by-laws apply in some jurisdictions to beehive ownership and compliance with biosecurity codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare to assemble or repair hive components | 1.1 Confirm construction plans, hive components, other materials and equipment required for hive assembly, repair and treatment with supervisor 1.2 Check and inspect stored hive components for availability and suitability for use 1.3 Remove faulty components from store and replace, repair or discard according to workplace procedures 1.4 Identify health and safety hazards and take action according to workplace procedures 1.5 Select, ensure serviceability, fit and use personal protective equipment |
2. Assemble or repair hive components | 2.1 Inspect hives to identify necessary repairs, scope of job, materials and tools required 2.2 Treat hive components where inspection or testing indicated presence of pests or diseases according to supervisor instructions, biosecurity procedures and product label 2.3 Assemble or repair hive components according to workplace procedures 2.4 Apply treatments to preserve hive components appropriate for materials used and according to workplace procedures, product label and safety data sheets 2.5 Mark hive components with beekeeper identifier according to state or territory legislation 2.6 Report problems or difficulties in completing work to required standards or timelines to supervisor 2.7 Maintain a clean and safe work site while working |
3. Clean up on completion of work | 3.1 Return, store or dispose of materials according to workplace waste management and biosecurity procedures 3.2 Clean, maintain and store equipment 3.3 Report work outcomes according to workplace procedures |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Reading | Interpret basic hive plans and specifications Interpret safety data sheets for treatments and preservatives used on hive components |
Writing | Complete workplace documentation using appropriate terminology and in required format |
Numeracy | Identify and interpret numerical information and symbols, including quantity, date, time, temperature, area and volume found on plans and product specifications Perform basic mathematical calculations required to interpret hive plans, including quantity, distance, area and volume |
Navigate the world of work | Recognise workplace expectations and follows explicit procedures, and seeks clarification when required |
Get the work done | Follow clearly defined instructions and sequencing, and monitors own progress for the task, seeks assistance when necessary |
Sectors
Beekeeping (BEK)