Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to operate a game harvesting vehicle safely and hygienically.

Application of the unit 

This unit is suitable for vehicle operators who are harvesting wild game for commercial purposes. Operators will have responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the game harvesting vehicle, the loading and unloading of carcases and the safe handling of cleaning chemicals and equipment.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare and maintain vehicle and equipment

1.1. Vehicle is cleaned and hygiene checked prior to harvesting operation.

1.2. Consumables  are checked and replenished, as required.

1.3. Equipment  is checked and maintained.

2. Load, transport and deliver to depot or processing works

2.1. Carcases are loaded according to management plan and regulatory requirements .

2.2. Carcases are loaded and transported to avoid contamination.

2.3. Delivery times are planned to meet regulatory and company requirements.

3. Unload game  shot carcases

3.1. Carcases are unloaded according to management plan and regulatory requirements.

3.2. Carcases are unloaded to minimise contamination.

3.3. Delivery times at field depots or processing plants are planned and achieved to meet regulatory and company requirements.

4. Clean truck and equipment

4.1. Vehicle is cleaned to meet regulatory requirements.

4.2. Cleaning chemicals are used that meet regulatory requirements in accordance with manufacturer instructions.

4.3. Kit and hanging pins are cleaned in accordance with the management plan.

4.4. Kit and hanging pins are stored so as to avoid contamination.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

Ability to:

• clean vehicle and equipment to a required standard
• maintain the vehicle
• operate the vehicle safely
• avoid contamination of carcases during loading and unloading
• hang carcases according to regulatory and corporate requirements
• plan transport to the depot to meet company and regulatory requirements
• complete required paperwork to a satisfactory standard
• use communication skills applicable to communicating with depot managers and/or processing company personnel and regulatory representatives
• clean and sanitise vehicle
• avoid contamination of kit and equipment in storage

Required knowledge 

Knowledge of:

• regulations covering game harvesting vehicles
• supply of required consumables
• relevant sections of the Australian Standard
• potable water supply requirements
• lighting requirements
• hanging requirements
• importance of air flow
• regulations associated with transport, loading and unloading of carcases
• causes of contamination during loading, transport and unloading
• methods for minimising contamination
• time requirements for refrigeration after death and sunrise
• regulatory requirements for identification and traceability of carcases
• reporting and documentation requirements
• hygiene and sanitation during unloading
• personal hygiene Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
• work instruction for carcase receival
• depot requirements for receival of carcases
• Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) hazards associated with handling carcases
• Ways of minimising OH&S hazards associated with handling carcases
• hygiene and sanitation requirements for game harvesting vehicles
• the purpose and uses of particular cleaning and sanitising chemicals
• importance of sanitising
• suitability of chemicals
• OH&S hazards associated with cleaning chemicals
• storage requirements for kit and hanging pins

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 

The meat industry has specific and clear requirements for evidence. A minimum of three forms of evidence is required to demonstrate competency in the meat industry. This is specifically designed to provide evidence that covers the demonstration in the workplace of all aspects of competency over time.

These requirements are in addition to the requirements for valid, current, authentic and sufficient evidence.

Three forms of evidence means three different kinds of evidence - not three pieces of the same kind. In practice it will mean that most of the unit is covered twice. This increases the legitimacy of the evidence.

All assessment must be conducted against Australian meat industry standards and regulations.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The assessment must represent a report on the candidate's ability to maintain, operate, load and unload carcases during a game harvesting exercise.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

This competency has to be demonstrated under actual work conditions while harvesting game animals.

Method of assessment 

Recommended methods of assessment include:

• video record
• on-the-job observation by an assessor
• third party such as a regulator or depot manager
• oral or written test.

Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander, gender, or language backgrounds other than English. Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role.

Guidance information for assessment 

A current list of resources for this Unit of Competency is available from MINTRAC www .mintrac .com .au  or telephone 1800 817 462.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Consumables  may include:

• sanitisers
• cleaning chemicals
• tags
• paper towels (if used)
• disposable rubber gloves (if used)
• delivery receipt books as required.

Equipment  may include:

• knives
• scabbards
• wash tubs
• buckets
• hooks.

Regulatory requirements  include:

• State and Federal regulations such as:

• AS 4464:2007 Australian Standard for Hygienic Production of Wild Game Meat for Human Consumption.

• and administered by authorised bodies such as:

• Food Authorities
• Australian Quarantine inspection Service (AQIS)
• Parks and Wildlife Authorities
• State Government Departments.

Wild game  refers to:

• any vertebrate animal:

• including a mammal, bird or reptile, but excluding fish; and
• of a species that can be legally harvested; and
• not husbanded in the manner of a farmed animal; and
• is killed in the field.

• and may include:

• kangaroos
• wallabies
• wild boar
• wild goat
• possum
• rabbit
• hare
• wild game birds.

Unit sector 

Co-requisite units 

Competency field