This unit applies to shearing and crutching procedures at the

beginner level and is usually conducted under supervision within established routines, methods and procedures.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Set-up shearing handpiece as directed

1.1. Potential and existing hazards in the workplace are identified and reported to supervisor.

1.2. Shearing equipment is checked for correct operation.

1.3. Assemble comb and cutter on handpiece.

1.4. Set lead and throw

1.5. Set tension to enable comb and cutter to cut wool cleanly with minimum friction.

1.6. Lubricate working surfaces and moving parts in line with manufacturers requirements.

2. Follow health and fitness procedures

2.1. Prepare for exercises to warm-up the body.

2.2. Perform back, shoulder, leg, arm, and abdomen stretches.

2.3. Recognise the necessities of hydration, nutrition and rest periods.

3. Catch sheep for shearing

3.1. Suitable personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained in line with the OHS and workplace.

3.2. Sheep are caught and moved in line with organisational, OHS, industry and animal welfare standards.

3.3. Sheep are moved from the catching pen to the shearing board using safe manual handling techniques.

3.4. Sheep are positioned for shearing/crutching in line with industry agreed method.

4. Remove wool

4.1. Handpiece is activated and positioned readiness for shearing/crutching operations.

4.2. Shear/crutch section of sheep as directed.

4.3. Release sheep safely from the board into the count-out pens.

Required skills

follow safety directions

prepare materials, tools and equipment for work

select and use equipment and materials appropriate for shearing sheep

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

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

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

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 agreed shearing and crutching 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 and animal welfare.

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 under supervision:

set-up a shearing handpiece,

ensure health and fitness for shearing,

catch and shear a sheep in line with organisational, OHS and animal welfare standards

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.

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

Shearing and crutching may include:

the removal of fleece and or crutching wool from a range of breeds and types of sheep

Unit sector

Shearing

This unit contains employability skills.