Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of removing a honey crop from a hive by removing bees from the hive and combs, and by removing filled combs from the hive into other boxes for transport to the extracting facility and defines the standard required to: determine ripeness of nectar honey and filling of comb cells; select and use the most suitable method(s) for removing bees and frames/combs from hive; handle frames/combs filled with honey so that they are not contaminated with dust, dirt or water.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to beekeepers and others working under minimal supervision as part of a team and according to established enterprise procedures.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare to remove honey

1.1. All tools and equipment required to remove a honey crop from a hive are obtained and confirmed as being in good repair and serviceable for use.

1.2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is checked for serviceability and worn and used correctly.

1.3. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards associated with removing a honey crop from a hive are identified and action is taken to deal with them.

1.4. All food safety requirements are identified and met.

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

1.6. Risks associated with removing a honey crop from a hive are identified and actions are taken to minimise likelihood and consequences of risks.

1.7. Ripeness of nectar honey is determined to ensure that the honey is mature enough to be harvested.

1.8. Any withholding periods for honey bee medications and treatments are observed.

1.9. Time and location of planned honey removal takes into account potential contaminants, impact on the colony and quality and type of honey to be obtained.

1.10. Factors affecting quantity of honey to be removed from hive are identified and taken into consideration.

2. Remove honey from the hive

2.1. Range of suitable methods for removing bees from honey-filled combs is considered and best option (or combination) is selected and implemented.

2.2. Range of suitable methods for removing honey crop in the frames from the hive or honey-filled combs is considered and best option (or combination) is selected and implemented.

2.3. Quality of honey is monitored during removal process and, if required, removal methods are modified to ensure that desired quality standards are achieved and maintained.

2.4. Honey-filled frames are transported to extracting facility.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• judging ripeness of honey nectar
• manual handling
• using PPE
• working with and around bees
• 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 

• food safety requirements
• indicators of ripe honey nectar and adequately filled cells
• methods to remove bees from hives.

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 ripeness of nectar honey and filling of comb cells
• select and use the most suitable method(s) for removing bees and frames/combs from hive
• handle frames/combs filled with honey so that they are not contaminated with dust, dirt or water.

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.

Removal may include:

• removal from commercial or native bees from the hive and combs
• removing filled combs from the hive into other boxes for transport to the extracting facility.

Unit sector 

Beekeeping

Co-requisite units 

Competency field