Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of opening and reassembling a beehive in order to carry out routine bee husbandry and related tasks and defines the standard required to: assess weather conditions and nectar availability; minimise risk of robbing and hive stress; raise a beehive lid using a hive tool and bee smoker; reassemble the beehive.

Application of the unit 

Open and reassemble a beehive applies to working individually or as part of a small team. Work may be performed in a workshop or similar facility or in the field. Where work requires the use of load-shifting equipment, appropriate training/certification must be provided according to state and territory safety and licensing requirements.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare to open a beehive

1.1. Required tools and equipment are identified according to supervisor instructions or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

1.2. Checks are conducted on all tools and equipment and insufficient or faulty items are reported to supervisor or addressed according to SOPs.

1.3. Weather conditions and nectar availability are assessed, and planned activities are adjusted if needed to minimise risk of robbing and hive stress.

1.4. Correct manual handling techniques are used and damage to beehive is minimised.

1.5. Suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected and checked prior to use.

1.6. Occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards are identified and reported, and appropriate action is taken to minimise risks to self and others.

1.7. Where in effect, site quarantine/biosecurity protocols are followed.

2. Open the beehive

2.1. Bees are controlled throughout the opening process by using smoke according to OHS requirements and SOPs.

2.2. Work is carried out from a safe and appropriate position in relation to beehive.

2.3. Beehive lid is raised using hive tool, and queen excluder, frames and/or supers are removed as required, according to specific task to be undertaken.

2.4. All removed frames and supers are placed on upside down lid to ensure they remain dirt free.

3. Reassemble the beehive

3.1. Bees are controlled throughout reassembling process by using smoke according to OHS requirements and SOPs.

3.2. Brood frames are placed back into hive in the same position from which they were removed unless manipulation is being undertaken.

3.3. All frames are replaced in appropriate boxes and, where used, queen excluders and/or supers are replaced.

3.4. Beehive lid is replaced and, where used, hive fasteners are done up securely.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• complying with OHS requirements, including manual handling
• following work instructions and SOPs
• selecting and using appropriate PPE and beekeeping tools, including a bee smoker
• working safely around bees
• opening and reassembling a beehive
• use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• bee behaviour, particularly when beehive is disturbed
• components of a beehive.

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:

• assess weather conditions and nectar availability
• minimise risk of robbing and hive stress
• raise a beehive lid using a hive tool and bee smoker
• reassemble the beehive.

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.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Beehives may include:

• all types of beehives and enterprises based on bees.

Unit sector 

Beekeeping

Co-requisite units 

Competency field