Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to crutch a sheep.
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 their own work.
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. Prepare for crutching operations | 1.1 Check crutching equipment for correct operation prior to commencing work 1.2 Identify potential and existing hazards in the workplace and report to the supervisor 1.3 Select, use and maintain suitable personal protective equipment and ensure correct fit 1.4 Identify, catch and move sheep to be crutched in line with work health and safety, industry and animal welfare standards 1.5 Position sheep for crutching |
2. Perform crutching operations | 2.1 Activate handpiece and position in readiness for crutching 2.2 Shear wool from face, crutch or belly as instructed 2.3 Use crutching methods to ensure that injury to the sheep and damage to the fleece is avoided 2.4 Use safe handling techniques at all times |
3. Respond to complications | 3.1 Identify contamination during crutching and report to wool handlers 3.2 Treat cuts as required 3.3 Identify and report flyblown sheep 3.4 Identify and report problem sheep |
4. Complete crutching operations | 4.1 Place wool appropriately to avoid contamination and for wool handlers to collect 4.2 Switch off handpiece and re-position to non-operational position 4.3 Release sheep safely from the board into the count out pens 4.4 Report crutching grievances and difficulties 4.5 Follow enterprise biosecurity policies where required |
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:
identify potential and existing hazards to the supervisor
select and use equipment and materials appropriate for crutching sheep
avoid contamination, second cuts and damage to wool, animals and people
catch and release sheep safely
demonstrate safe and responsible workplace practices
provide due care and handle sheep humanely
clean and maintain crutching equipment, site and facilities
communicate problems, faults and workplace hazards to the owner or overseer
tally crutched sheep count
apply enterprise work health and safety policies in the context of own work
apply enterprise animal welfare policies in the context of own work
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
types of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens
shearing machinery required and their relative functions
industry agreed shearing techniques and positions, and method of shearing
safe handling techniques for catching, dragging, shearing and releasing sheep
basic anatomy of male and female sheep as it relates to the safe humane removal of wool.
common sheep diseases as they relate to work health and safety and humane treatment of animals
the impacts of sheep behaviour on moving, handling and shearing sheep
personal protective clothing and equipment, and when and how it should be used
Federal and/or State shearing awards and agreements associated with shearing sheep
enterprise biosecurity policies applying to the job role
work health and safety legislation and codes of practice applying to the job role
animal welfare legislation and codes of practice applying to the job role
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
Shearing (SHG)