Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of manipulating a honey bee brood and preparing materials, tools and equipment for work, and defines the standard required to: determine when and how honey bee brood should be manipulated to achieve desired result; open hives and remove and reposition frames safely and with minimal damage or unintended disturbance to brood; apply knowledge of food safety regulations when handling frames, honey or other hive products for human consumption.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to beekeepers and their employees who may be working by themselves or in a small team. Work is likely to be performed under limited supervision and according to established routines.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare to manipulate brood combs

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

1.2. Tools and equipment required to manipulate brood are selected and checked prior to use.

1.3. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards associated with manipulating brood are identified and actions are taken to minimise risk to self and others.

1.4. Any site quarantine or other biosecurity protocols in force are observed.

1.5. Reason for manipulating brood is clarified and appropriate sequence of actions is planned.

1.6. Risks to colony, including to brood and queen bee, are identified and actions are taken to minimise likelihood and consequences of risks.

2. Manipulate brood

2.1. Hive is opened according to enterprise procedures and safe work practices.

2.2. Combs are removed in planned sequence and placed in suitable position.

2.3. Frames are replaced in same or new sequence and/or position, or removed to another hive according to purposes for which brood is being manipulated.

2.4. Work is undertaken in a safe and environmentally appropriate manner according to enterprise guidelines.

2.5. Enterprise policies and procedures in relation to workplace practices, handling and disposal of waste materials, and site quarantine are observed.

2.6. Hive and colony are monitored after manipulation process and appropriate action is taken if needed.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• identifying hazards and implementing safe work procedures handling bees
• handling materials and equipment
• using a bee smoker.
• cleaning up on completion of work
• use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• biosecurity for moving bees
• bee behaviour
• bee-handling techniques
• different types of manipulation that may be used to achieve desired result
• fire risk level
• purposes for which brood may be manipulated
• safe work practices.
• animal welfare requirements.

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:

• determine when and how honey bee brood should be manipulated to achieve desired result
• open hives and remove and reposition frames safely and with minimal damage or unintended disturbance to brood
• apply knowledge of food safety regulations when handling frames, honey or other hive products for human consumption.

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.

Manipulating the honey bee brood may include:

• all types and strains of bees used in commercial production.

Unit sector 

Beekeeping

Co-requisite units 

Competency field