Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to care for the health and welfare of outdoor pigs.
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 general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.
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. Check and assess pig health and welfare | 1.1 Check pig health and welfare regularly 1.2 Recognise and report signs of ill health, diseases, parasite infestations and physical abnormalities 1.3 Record pig health and welfare status 1.4 Seek immediate advice where signs indicate an unusual disease |
2. Provide an optimal environment for pigs | 2.1 Check outdoor housing conditions and record relevant information where appropriate |
3. Establish and maintain hygiene | 3.1 Use and maintain personal protective equipment, and follow work health and safety procedures 3.2 Follow biosecurity procedures 3.3 Follow personal hygiene practices 3.4 Clean work areas, machines and surfaces appropriately 3.5 Remove and dispose of all waste and debris appropriately in line with enterprise environmental policies |
4. Administer medication to pigs | 4.1 Store labelled vaccines, veterinary medicines and other chemicals appropriately as directed 4.2 Carry out routine disease or parasite prevention procedures 4.3 Measure and administer medication under supervision 4.5 Administer vaccines as required, and identify pigs that have been vaccinated 4.6 Complete required documentation and records for administration of vaccines, medicines and chemicals |
5. Remove dead or non-viable pigs | 5.1 Dispose of dead pigs appropriately 5.2 Recognise, report and carry out appropriate procedures for unhealthy or non-viable pigs 5.3 Provide post-mortem assistance where necessary |
6. Report and complete records | 6.1 Complete all required documentation and records of diseases, pig losses and treatments clearly, promptly and accurately 6.2 Report to enterprise where relevant so that prevention strategies can be planned and implemented |
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:
check and assess pig health and welfare
provide an optimal environment for pigs
establish and maintain hygiene
administer medication to pigs
remove dead or non-viable pigs
report and complete records
follow work health and safety procedures
follow biosecurity procedures
follow animal welfare policies
follow environmental policies
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
relevant regulatory requirements, codes of practice, industry standards and enterprise procedures for biosecurity and quarantine
relevant regulatory requirements, codes of practice, industry standards and enterprise procedures for animal welfare of pigs
signs of health, signs of ill health, and methods for assessing pig health and welfare
techniques and methods for humane handling and restraint of pigs
common diseases of pigs, treatment regimes, prevention and management strategies
criteria for handling compromised pigs
relevant documentation, records and reports that are required
the types, functions and characteristics of housing, housing infrastructure and housing equipment for outdoor pigs, and the criteria and methods for determining that they are in working condition
types, uses, handling, storage and routes of administration of commonly used vaccines, veterinary medicines and chemicals
requirements, methods and procedures for removing and disposal of waste and debris
procedures for conducting a post-mortem examination
effects and impacts of individual pig health and welfare on herd health status and vice versa
relevant work health and safety requirements and environmental practices
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
Pork (PRK)