Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to partially or fully eviscerate a game animal in the field.

Application of the unit 

This unit is applicable to game harvesters who are required to partially or fully eviscerate game animals in the field prior to delivery of game carcases to a depot or processing plant. Tagging will be carried out according to company and regulatory requirements.

Prerequisite units 

MTMPSR203A Sharpen knives

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. Eviscerate carcase

1.1. Post-harvesting inspection is performed to identify any abnormality and disease.

1.2. Carcases are eviscerated hygienically to company and regulatory requirements.

1.3. A set routine for evisceration is consistently followed.

1.4. Abnormal conditions  and conditions that exclude carcases  are identified.

1.5. Hygiene between carcases  is maintained.

2. Inspect carcase

2.1. Perform post-evisceration inspection for contamination.

2.2. Identify diseases and conditions that exclude carcases are identified.

2.3. Comply with trimming requirements.

3. Tag animal and complete documentation

3.1. Tagging requirements are accurately completed, where applicable to the species and regulatory requirement.

3.2. Property  is identified by name and/or property identification code (PIC).

3.3. Species are identified for the purposes of completing tags

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

Ability to

• eviscerate carcases hygienically and avoid contamination
• consistently follow a set routine for evisceration
• handle knives safely and hygienically
• identify species
• read and interpret required workplace documentation
• apply numeracy skills to workplace requirements
• develop practical solutions to workplace problems
• adapt to new situations
• manage time and priorities
• be open to learning and new ideas and techniques

Required knowledge 

Knowledge of:

• types and causes of contamination
• trimming requirements
• relevant State Regulations
• relevant sections of the Australian Standard
• rejection and disposal processes
• hygiene and sanitation requirements
• company and regulatory requirements
• causes of contamination and cross contamination
• time requirements for evisceration
• Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) hazards associated with the field during evisceration of game carcases
• corporate requirements for tagging procedures
• state wildlife/conservation authority requirements for tagging
• property/location identification protocols

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 

Candidates must be able to:

• demonstrate competent evisceration of carcases without guidance or supervision
• recognise diseases and abnormal conditions.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

This competency has to be demonstrated under actual work conditions either at a game depot or at a processing works receiving carcases straight from the field.

Method of assessment 

Methods of assessment may include:

• recognition of diseases and conditions from photographic records or preserved samples
• demonstration of evisceration in the presence of an assessor
• video record of evisceration.

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.

Abnormal conditions  may include:

• diseases and conditions
• injuries and wounds.

Conditions that exclude carcases  may include:

• abscess or tumours (multiple)
• contamination (dirt, vegetable matter, faeces and ingesta)
• emaciation
• fly strike
• gangrene
• nasal and eye discharge (rabbits).

Maintenance of hygiene between carcases  will include:

• hand washing
• cleaning of knives
• cleanliness of clothing.

Property  refers to:

• private property, farm, cattle station etc
• crown land.

Unit sector 

Co-requisite units 

Competency field