Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of selecting, handling and shearing of sheep to improver level and defines the standard required to: set up and adjust handpiece to the shearing conditions; operate shearing equipment safely; maintain position and control of the sheep while minimising stress on the shearer; avoid damage to sheep as well as second cuts and contaminants in fleece; handle and shear 70 to 80 sheep per day using industry accepted methods and procedures; recognise problem and diseased sheep and report accordingly.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to working with the application of judgement and discretion and would be carried out with minimal supervision as part of a shearing operation.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for shearing

1.1. Shearing equipment is checked for correct operation prior to shearing session.

1.2. Potential and existing hazards in the workplace are identified, and reported to the supervisor.

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

2. Perform shearing operations

2.1. Sheep to be shorn are identified, caught and moved in line with organisational, OHS, industry and animal welfare standards.

2.2. Sheep are positioned for shearing using identified positions in line with industry standards.

2.3. Handpiece is activated and positioned in readiness for shearing operations.

2.4. Sheep are shorn using identified method and positions in line with industry standards.

2.5. Shearing methods ensure that injuries and damage to the sheep and fleece is avoided in meeting volume expectations.

2.6. Safe and humane handling techniques are used at all times according to OHS and animal welfare requirements.

3. Respond to complications

3.1. Contamination is identified during shearing operations and reported to wool handlers in line with enterprise requirements.

3.2. Sheep cuts are sutured in line with industry standards and animal welfare requirements.

3.3. Flyblown sheep are identified and reported in line with industry standards and animal welfare requirements.

3.4. Problem sheep are identified and reported in line with industry and enterprise requirements.

4. Complete shearing operation

4.1. Wool is placed to avoid contamination and for wool handlers to collect in line with enterprise and industry requirements.

4.2. Handpiece is set to non-operational position and stored in line with manufacturer's specifications and enterprise requirements.

4.3. Sheep are safely released from the board into the count-out pens.

4.4. Shearing grievances and difficulties are reported in line with enterprise requirements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• identify hazards and follow safety directions
• select and use equipment and materials appropriate for shearing sheep
• avoid contamination, second cuts and damage to wool, sheep and people
• shear sufficient sheep within eight hours to match skill level as per industry award minimum rate of pay for learner shearers
• 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
• read and interpret manufacturers specifications, work and maintenance plans
• 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 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, 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 

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:

• set up and adjust handpiece to the shearing conditions
• operate shearing equipment safely
• maintain position and control of the sheep while minimising stress on the shearer
• avoid damage to sheep as well as second cuts and contaminants in fleece
• handle and shear 70 to 80 sheep per day using industry accepted methods and procedures
• recognise problem and diseased sheep and report accordingly.

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.

Animals may include:

• all types of woollen sheep as well as all ages and genders of sheep, including rams, ewes, wethers, lambs, hoggets, and stags.

Shearing rate may include:

• a rate that must be equivalent to the minimum rate of pay as set down by the industry award - between 70 and 80 sheep per day.

Unit sector 

Shearing

Co-requisite units 

Competency field