Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to detect abnormalities and diseases in one or more of the major livestock species (cattle, sheep and pigs) prior to slaughter. The skills component of this unit will be assessed for ante-mortem inspection of a specific species for which competency is demonstrated in the workplace and the outcome and the species will be recorded appropriately on the assessment sheet.

This unit is applicable to meat inspectors and/or stock handlers responsible for ante-mortem inspection.

All work should be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, customer requirements and product specifications.

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 provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable problems.

This unit must be delivered and assessed in the context of Australian meat processing standards and regulations.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

The prerequisite unit of competency for this unit is:

• AMPA3002 Handle animals humanely while conducting ante-mortem inspection

Unit Sector

Abattoirs

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Unit Mapping Information

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5e2e56b7-698f-4822-84bb-25adbb8443a7

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

The individual must perform ante-mortem inspection to Australian Standards and other relevant regulatory requirements in a workplace environment under normal operating conditions.

The individual must:

• estimate size of stock pens
• estimate number and density of stock in a pen
• identify the common breeds of stock processed
• explain relevant animal identification systems that use brands, tags, tattoos and electronic identification devices
• identify common diseases and conditions in the species slaughtered at the workplace
• describe appropriate dispositions for common diseases and conditions in the species slaughtered at the workplace
• identify major emergency or notifiable diseases
• demonstrate procedures for humane handling of livestock
• perform ante-mortem inspection to Australian Standards and other relevant regulatory requirements on at least one major domestic food species in a workplace environment under normal operating conditions
• identify suspect animals that may be suffering from an emergency and notifiable disease on ante-mortem examination according to Australian Standards
• make disposition according to workplace and regulatory requirements
• report notifiable diseases promptly and accurately according to regulatory requirements
• apply communication skills relevant to work instructions and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) including written and verbal reporting, communicating with other staff and regulatory authorities, interpreting and applying written guidelines
• perform tasks to workplace requirements
• work cooperatively with company stock handlers to ensure smooth flow of stock.

Knowledge Evidence

The individual must demonstrate a factual, technical, procedural and theoretical knowledge of:

• regulatory requirements for suspect stock, hygiene and sanitation standards, and workplace standards associated with ante-mortem inspection
• segregation requirements for suspect animals
• sources of information to keep up-to-date with current theories or findings
• steps and procedures for emergency and suspect kill
• steps and procedures for humane destruction
• steps in ante-mortem inspection and recognise abnormal conditions
• symptoms of common diseases and conditions found at ante mortem
• symptoms of major emergency/notifiable diseases (including Johne's Disease (JD))
• principles and procedures for humane handling of livestock
• regulatory requirements associated with emergency/notifiable diseases
• steps to be taken to notify of suspect emergency or notifiable disease.

Assessment Conditions

Competency in the practical aspects of this unit must be assessed under normal production conditions.

Assessment must include demonstration of competency in an operating abattoir. Assessment of the diagnosis of the less common conditions can be undertaken by simulation.

Individuals must be able to perform ante-mortem inspection on at least one species.

The identification of diseases and conditions in other species can be undertaken in a simulated situation utilising samples and photographs.

As a minimum, the following three forms of assessment must be used:

• quiz of underpinning knowledge
• workplace demonstration
• workplace referee or third-party report of performance over time.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5e2e56b7-698f-4822-84bb-25adbb8443a7