Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of penning up sheep and defines the standard required to: observe differences between mobs of sheep; observe workflow and estimate rates for refilling the catching pens and for mob cutout; move sheep in a shed and pen them up; monitor sheep density and check for contaminants in wool.

Application of the unit 

This unit requires the application of some judgement and discretion, and would be carried out within enterprise guidelines and within specified timeframes. The continuous supply of sheep with uncontaminated wool to shearers is an essential factor towards the efficiency of a wool harvesting operation.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Provide continuous supply of sheep to shearers

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

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

1.3. Sheep are penned in their separate mobs according to the instructions of the supervisor.

1.4. Gates are secured to prevent sheep escaping on to the board.

1.5. The speed of shearers is observed and numbers of sheep in catching pens arranged so that shearers all complete shearing at or near mob cutout.

1.6. Sheep numbers are checked in catching pens and pens are filled as they empty to ensure continuous supply to shearers.

1.7. Other pens are refilled as required.

2. Keep mobs separate

2.1. Gates are secured to prevent mixing of mobs.

2.2. Pens are filled with sheep from only one mob at any given time to avoid mixing mobs and wool types.

2.3. Mob cutout is communicated to shed supervisor.

2.4. Sheep are moved to other catching pens to ensure that mob cutout is simultaneous.

2.5. Safe workplace practices with regard to livestock handling are observed and implemented in line with OHS, animal welfare and organisation requirements.

3. Prevent contamination of wool

3.1. Pen density is arranged and monitored to avoid crushing, trampling or soiling of wool.

3.2. Pens are monitored to maintain sheep in standing position to avoid soiling of wool.

3.3. Potential contaminants within pens are minimised and removed.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• identify hazards and follow safe work procedures
• accept and interpret advice from the shed supervisor
• observe differences between mobs of sheep
• observe shearers workflow and estimate rates for refilling the catching pens and for mob cutout
• move sheep in a shed and pen them up
• use the accepted communications signals in the shed when shearing and sheep movement is in full force
• 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
• gates and catches in shearing sheds
• safe handling techniques for catching, dragging, and releasing sheep
• animal welfare requirements in relation to sheep
• sheep behaviour in the shearing sheds and yards
• hazards associated with handling livestock
• personal protective equipment and clothing, and when and how it should be used
• industry awards and conditions
• relevant State/Territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS, animal welfare, and the use and control of hazardous substances
• communication signals used in the particular shed when shearing and sheep movement is in operation.

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:

• observe differences between mobs of sheep
• observe workflow and estimate rates for refilling the catching pens and for mob cutout
• move sheep in a shed and pen them up
• monitor sheep density and check for contaminants in wool.

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.

Pens may include:

• front fill
• back fill
• or side fill pens.

Unit sector 

Wool

Co-requisite units 

Competency field