Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to incubate eggs.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity legislation and codes, and sustainability practices.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources.
Candidates should confirm the regulatory requirements in regard to the use of fumigants that apply in their relevant State or Territory before undertaking this unit.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Receive and store eggs | 1.1 Implement enterprise work health and safety policies 1.2 Implement enterprise biosecurity procedures 1.3 Unload eggs and record required information 1.4 Transfer eggs from delivery dollies/trolleys to setter dollies/trolleys 1.5 Store eggs with regard to position, temperature, humidity and period of storage 1.6 Attach eggs to turning machine to ensure maximum viability is maintained 1.7 Manage egg stock to minimise egg age on setting 1.8 Monitor temperature, humidity and airflow to maintain required settings |
2. Monitor and operate setter | 2.1 Take and record setter readings 2.2 Recognise alarms and carry out specified sequence of operations during a breakdown 2.3 Operate, repair and maintain setter 2.4 Calibrate temperature probes with known standards |
3. Transfer eggs to hatcher | 3.1 Move dollies to the egg handling and transfer area in the sequence required by the organisation 3.2 Check temperature, humidity and airflow 3.3 Transfer eggs to hatching trays in sequence |
4. Fumigate setter or hatcher | 4.1 Determine need for fumigation from supervisor’s instructions 4.2 Prepare fumigant and apparatus 4.3 Seal and fumigate setter or hatcher 4.4 Air room or chamber to completely remove traces or vapours of the fumigant prior to re-entry of staff, re-installation of equipment and placement of eggs |
5. Monitor and operate hatcher | 5.1 Take and record readings 5.2 Carry out adjustments to temperature, humidity and airflow when instructed 5.3 Recognise alarms and carry out correct sequence of operations during a breakdown as set out by employer |
6. Complete hygiene and administration activities | 6.1 Dispose of waste and debris from the work areas in line with enterprise environmental policies 6.2 Clean, maintain and store tools, equipment and machinery 6.3 Clean and maintain safe work areas 6.4 Complete documentation, records and reports promptly and accurately |
Evidence of Performance
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:
receive and store eggs
monitor and operate setter
transfer eggs to hatcher
fumigate setter or hatcher
monitor and operate hatcher
complete hygiene and administration activities
implement enterprise work health and safety policies
implement enterprise biosecurity procedures
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
requirements, methods and procedures for handling, unloading, storing, transferring and turning eggs
types, uses, cleaning, maintenance and storage of machinery, equipment and tools used in incubating operations
range, effects and impacts of environmental parameters on incubating eggs
types, handling, use and disposal of fumigating agents, work health and safety and environmental practices for these agents
relevant environmental and sustainability requirements, and procedures for disposal and management of wastes and debris
requirements and procedures for cleaning and maintaining work areas
relevant documentation and records that are required
enterprise work health and safety policies
relevant biosecurity requirements
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or workplace and simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Poultry (PLY)