Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work situations available.

What types of facilities may be inspected and assessed?
Facilities may include shearing and wool handling area of the shearing shed. It may also include bin labelling for fleece and non-fleece types.

What OHS requirements may be applicable to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
hazard and risk control measures
manual handling, including lifting and carrying
fleece handling and harvesting
the protection from electrical hazards, hazardous noise and organic and other dusts
the handling and storage of hazardous substances
the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

What enterprise requirements may apply to this standard?
SOP, industry standards, Total Quality Management standards, product labels, manufacturers specifications, MSDS, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use), and reporting requirements.

What existing and potential hazards to health and safety may be identified?
Hazards may include loose floor boards and protruding nails, inadequately maintained, unguarded and faulty equipment, inappropriately located electrical leads and cabling, exposure to fuel and other chemicals (e.g. diazinon), exposure to excessive noise and dust, exposure to solar radiation, inadequate lighting in handling areas, stairs and ramps, inadequate ventilation, and draught control.

What types of shearing equipment might be checked?
This may include wool tables, wool pack holders, wool bins, brooms/scrapers and wool presses.

What fleece/fibre contaminants might be identified for removal?
This may include burrs and vegetable matter, shed debris, dust, chemicals, dark or medullated fibre, non-animal fibrous material (poly-propylene, jute, other rope, strings), non-sheep fibres (feathers, dog, rodent, cattle and goat hair), solid objects and rubbish.

What cleaning may be required?
Hygiene of the shearing shed and wool handling areas must be strictly controlled and will require the removal of all pieces of fleece/fibre, dirt, dust and any polypropylene fibre.

What range of materials and supplies may be provided for shearing operations?
This may include brooms, board scrapers, stencils and ink, fleece bins and rubbish bins, paddles, wool press, trolley, bale hooks and fasteners, non-contaminating branding fluid, and first aid supplies.

What basic maintenance procedures may be carried out?
This may include minor repairs to shearing board and wool room floor, and catching pens.

What relevant information may be documented?
This may include details of equipment faults or malfunctions, maintenance requirements and repairs carried out, and identified hazards for the attention of the shearing team.

What types of facilities may be inspected and assessed?
Facilities may include shearing and wool handling area of the shearing shed. It may also include bin labelling for fleece and non-fleece types.

What OHS requirements may be applicable to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
hazard and risk control measures
manual handling, including lifting and carrying
fleece handling and harvesting
the protection from electrical hazards, hazardous noise and organic and other dusts
the handling and storage of hazardous substances
the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

What enterprise requirements may apply to this standard?
SOP, industry standards, Total Quality Management standards, product labels, manufacturers specifications, MSDS, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use), and reporting requirements.

What existing and potential hazards to health and safety may be identified?
Hazards may include loose floor boards and protruding nails, inadequately maintained, unguarded and faulty equipment, inappropriately located electrical leads and cabling, exposure to fuel and other chemicals (e.g. diazinon), exposure to excessive noise and dust, exposure to solar radiation, inadequate lighting in handling areas, stairs and ramps, inadequate ventilation, and draught control.

What types of shearing equipment might be checked?
This may include wool tables, wool pack holders, wool bins, brooms/scrapers and wool presses.

What fleece/fibre contaminants might be identified for removal?
This may include burrs and vegetable matter, shed debris, dust, chemicals, dark or medullated fibre, non-animal fibrous material (poly-propylene, jute, other rope, strings), non-sheep fibres (feathers, dog, rodent, cattle and goat hair), solid objects and rubbish.

What cleaning may be required?
Hygiene of the shearing shed and wool handling areas must be strictly controlled and will require the removal of all pieces of fleece/fibre, dirt, dust and any polypropylene fibre.

What range of materials and supplies may be provided for shearing operations?
This may include brooms, board scrapers, stencils and ink, fleece bins and rubbish bins, paddles, wool press, trolley, bale hooks and fasteners, non-contaminating branding fluid, and first aid supplies.

What basic maintenance procedures may be carried out?
This may include minor repairs to shearing board and wool room floor, and catching pens.

What relevant information may be documented?
This may include details of equipment faults or malfunctions, maintenance requirements and repairs carried out, and identified hazards for the attention of the shearing team.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in preparing facilities for shearing and crutching requires evidence of the ability to recognise and remove hazards from shearing shed, and carry out cleaning to industry standards. It also requires the ability to arrange for the provision of materials and supplies, identify and carry out minor repairs.
Evidence must also be demonstrated in the employment of safe workplace and positive environmental practices.
The skills and knowledge required to prepare facilities for shearing and crutching must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, this could include different sheep and wool types, shearing sheds and enterprise arrangements.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

maintenance and hygiene requirements of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens
environmental codes of practice with regard to livestock production
OHS legislative requirements
National codes of practice for the Shearing Industry (Health, Safety and Welfare standards).

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

maintain contamination and hazard-free environment for shearing and wool handling
recognise and remedy health and safety hazards
carry out minor maintenance and repairs to equipment and facilities
disposal of waste in an environmentally responsible manner
read and interpret MSDS and manufacturers specifications
communicate verbally with work team, and comprehend and apply task instructions.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

maintenance and hygiene requirements of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens
environmental codes of practice with regard to livestock production
OHS legislative requirements
National codes of practice for the Shearing Industry (Health, Safety and Welfare standards).

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

maintain contamination and hazard-free environment for shearing and wool handling
recognise and remedy health and safety hazards
carry out minor maintenance and repairs to equipment and facilities
disposal of waste in an environmentally responsible manner
read and interpret MSDS and manufacturers specifications
communicate verbally with work team, and comprehend and apply task instructions.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Information with regard to the needs may be discussed with the manager and work team. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
Information with regard to the needs may be discussed with the manager and work team. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information and instructions with regard to industry requirements for the preparation of shearing facilities may be accessed and referred. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information and instructions with regard to industry requirements for the preparation of shearing facilities may be accessed and referred. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Basic repairs and maintenance to equipment and facilities are carried out prior to shearing operations. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Basic repairs and maintenance to equipment and facilities are carried out prior to shearing operations. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may be applied in the efficient preparation of safe and hygienic shearing equipment and facilities with timeframes. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may be applied in the efficient preparation of safe and hygienic shearing equipment and facilities with timeframes. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied in the calculation of throughput of sheep and the number of wool packs required. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied in the calculation of throughput of sheep and the number of wool packs required. (1)

Solving problems
Problems of adverse weather conditions for livestock may be resolved by the provision of suitable shelter. (1)

Solving problems
Problems of adverse weather conditions for livestock may be resolved by the provision of suitable shelter. (1)

Using technology
Technology may be used to communicate. (1)

Using technology
Technology may be used to communicate. (1)