Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of selection, handling and shearing of sheep under supervision to novice level, a minimum 40 sheep per day, and defines the standard required to: catch sheep; set-up shearing handpiece; remove fleece; apply health and safety procedures.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to shearing and shearing shed procedures at the novice level and is usually conducted within established routines, methods and procedures.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Set-up shearing handpiece

1.1. Potential and existing hazards in the workplace are identified.

1.2. Shearing equipment is checked for correct operation.

1.3. Comb and cutter is assembled on handpiece.

1.4. Lead and throw is set for comb and cutter.

1.5. Tension is set to enable comb and cutter to cut wool cleanly with minimum friction.

1.6. Working surfaces and moving parts are lubricated in line with manufacturer's requirements.

2. Follow health and fitness procedures

2.1. Exercises to warm-up the body are prepared for.

2.2. Back, shoulder, leg, arm and abdomen stretches are performed.

2.3. The necessities of hydration, nutrition and rest periods are recognised and complied with.

3. Catch sheep for shearing

3.1. Suitable personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained in line with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and workplace.

3.2. Sheep are caught and moved in line with organisational, OHS, industry and animal welfare standards.

3.3. Sheep are dragged from the catching pen to the shearing board using safe manual handling techniques.

3.4. Sheep are positioned for shearing in line with industry agreed shearing method.

4. Remove fleece

4.1. Handpiece is activated and positioned readiness for shearing operations.

4.2. Shear section of sheep in position suitable to the individual's competence.

4.3. Shear the six basic positions in sequence.

4.4. Minimise injury to sheep.

4.5. Release sheep safely from the board into the count-out pens.

4.6. Maintain shearing effort to achieve the required minimum rate per day to acceptable standard.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• follow safe work practices
• select and use equipment and materials appropriate for shearing sheep
• load a handpiece correctly
• avoid contamination, second cuts, and damage to wool, sheep and people
• shear sufficient sheep within eight hours to match novice skill level
• suturing
• catch and release sheep safely
• demonstrate safe and responsible workplace practices
• provide due care and handle sheep humanely
• clean and maintain shearing equipment, site and facilities
• work in a team as a team member
• communicate problems, faults and workplace hazards, and to comprehend instructions provided by the owner or overseer
• tally shorn sheep count
• use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• types of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens
• shearing machinery required and their relative functions
• industry agreed shearing techniques and positions, and method of shearing
• safe handling techniques for catching, dragging, shearing and releasing sheep
• anatomy of all types of sheep
• sheep diseases
• animal welfare requirements in relation to sheep
• sheep behaviour
• personal protective clothing and equipment, and when and how it should be used
• Federal Pastoral Industry Award and/or State Shearing Award of Queensland and/or Western Australian Shearing Contractors Award
• relevant State/Territory legislation and awards, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS and animal welfare.

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 

Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances. 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.

• catch sheep
• set-up shearing handpiece
• remove fleece
• apply health and safety procedures.

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.

Shearing may include:

• the removal of fleece from all breeds and types of sheep.

Unit sector 

Shearing

Co-requisite units 

Competency field