Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required for basic wool removal as part of a shearing and crutching operation.
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 alongside a supervisor in most situations and exercise limited autonomy within established and well known parameters.
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. Set-up shearing handpiece as directed | 1.1 Identify potential and existing hazards in the workplace and report to supervisor 1.2 Check shearing equipment 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 |
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 2.4 Select suitable personal protective equipment and ensure correct fit |
3. Catch sheep for shearing | 3.1 Catch and move sheep in line with organisational, work health and safety, industry and animal welfare standards 3.2 Move sheep from the catching pen to the shearing board using safe manual handling techniques 3.3 Position sheep for shearing and crutching |
4. Remove wool | 4.1 Activate handpiece and position in readiness for shearing and crutching operations 4.2 Shear and crutch section of sheep as directed 4.3 Release sheep safely from the board into the count-out pens |
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:
follow safety directions
select, prepare and use tools equipment and materials appropriate for shearing sheep work
ensure health and fitness for shearing
avoid contamination, second cuts and damage to wool, sheep and people
catch and shear a sheep in line with organisational, animal welfare and work health safety standards
demonstrate safe and responsible workplace practices
clean and maintain shearing equipment, site and facilities
communicate problems, faults and workplace hazards, and to comprehend instructions provided by the owner or overseer
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 and crutching techniques, and positions and method of shearing
features of 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
animal welfare requirements in relation to 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
work health and safety legislation and codes of practice apply to the job role
animal welfare legislation and codes of practice apply 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)