Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare combs and cutters for machine shearing.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures and work health and safety.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work including limited responsibility for the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources.
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. Grind combs and cutters | 1.1 Check the grinder and its location for safety hazards and implement control measures 1.2 Identify faulty components and determine level of repair or replacement requirements 1.3 Operate grinder in a safe manner without risk of injury to operator or others or damage to equipment 1.4 Adjust pendulum pin settings, confirm set and pendulum bar is clean and check for level 1.5 Test grinding plates visually in terms of being balanced and true 1.6 Identify worn and incorrectly adhered papers and replace 1.7 Set grinder 1.8 Identify even wear of combs and cutters and sharpen combs and cutters |
2. Dress combs | 2.1 Select bevel and modify appropriate to wool type 2.2 Determine factors affecting combs selection in terms of type of livestock and seasonal conditions 2.3 Dress comb teeth to uniform shape and length 2.4 Thin comb teeth uniformly along their length 2.5 Polish comb leaving no rough or sharp points |
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 be observed preparing combs and cutters for machine shearing.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
identify hazards and apply safe operating procedures to grinding
determine need for sharpening combs and cutters
determine need for dressing combs
prepare grinder and pendulum for use
carry out grinding
set, store and care for grinding papers
dress combs, including selecting bevels, teeth thinning and polishing
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
different types of combs and cutters
terminology, techniques and procedures for grinding combs and cutters
tools and equipment used in grinding combs, and cutters and dressing combs
hazard identification and risk control
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)