Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 5:41 PM AWST
23/07/2026 5:41 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Crutch sheep
Crutch sheep
Unit of competency
National Code
AHCSHG201A
AHCSHG201A
State Code
D7211
D7211
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
02/12/2011
Field of Education
050103 - Wool Science
Original Release Date
02/12/2011
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit covers the process of crutching sheep in an agricultural environment and defines the standard required to: load and prepare handpiece and ensure combs and cutters are sharp; catch sheep and move into position for crutching; crutch wool from face, belly and crutch area as directed for the mob; clear maggots and shear stained wool from fly blown sheep; avoid contamination in the wool and assist in keeping stained wool separate; disengage handpiece and release sheep after crutching.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for crutching operations
- 1.1. Crutching equipment is checked for correct operation prior to crutching session.
- 1.2. Sheep to be crutched are identified, caught and moved in line with organisational, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), industry, and animal welfare standards.
- 1.3. Sheep are positioned for crutching in line with organisation determined and industry agreed crutching methods.
- 1.4. Potential and existing hazards in the workplace are identified and reported to the supervisor.
- 1.5. Suitable personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained in line with OHS and workplace procedures.
2. Perform crutching operations
- 2.1. Handpiece is activated and positioned in readiness for crutching.
- 2.2. Wool is shorn from face, crutch or belly as instructed and in line with industry standards.
- 2.3. Crutching methods are used to ensure that injury to the sheep and damage to the fleece is avoided.
- 2.4. Safe handling techniques are used at all times.
3. Respond to complications
- 3.1. Contamination is identified during crutching and reported to wool handlers in line with enterprise requirements.
- 3.2. Cuts are treated in accordance with industry standards and animal welfare requirements.
- 3.3. Flyblown sheep are identified and reported in line with industry standards and animal welfare requirements.
- 3.4. Problem sheep are identified and reported in line with enterprise and industry requirements.
4. Complete crutching operations
- 4.1. Wool is placed to avoid contamination and for wool handlers to collect in line with enterprise and industry requirements.
- 4.2. Handpiece is switched off and re-positioned to non-operational position.
- 4.3. Sheep are safely released from the board into the count out pens.
- 4.4. Crutching grievances and difficulties are reported in line with enterprise and industry requirements.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Animals may include:
all breeds and types of sheep.
Crutching may include:
all crutch patterns recognised in the industry.
Sheds may include:
a shearing shed
or a mobile crutching plant.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Animals may include:
all breeds and types of sheep.
Crutching may include:
all crutch patterns recognised in the industry.
Sheds may include:
a shearing shed
or a mobile crutching plant.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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:
load and prepare handpiece and ensure combs and cutters are sharp
catch sheep and move into position for crutching
crutch wool from face, belly and crutch area as directed for the mob
clear maggots and shear stained wool from fly blown sheep
avoid contamination in the wool and assist in keeping stained wool separate
disengage handpiece and release sheep after crutching.
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 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:
load and prepare handpiece and ensure combs and cutters are sharp
catch sheep and move into position for crutching
crutch wool from face, belly and crutch area as directed for the mob
clear maggots and shear stained wool from fly blown sheep
avoid contamination in the wool and assist in keeping stained wool separate
disengage handpiece and release sheep after crutching.
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.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3456 | RTE2107A | Crutch sheep | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAT08 | AHCSHG201 | Crutch sheep | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D451 | AHC20110 | Certificate II in Agriculture | Qualification |
| D463 | AHC21310 | Certificate II in Shearing | Qualification |