Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to operate and maintain machinery for tenderising meat cuts.

Application of the unit 

This unit is applicable to workers in boning rooms, wholesalers, food service operations and retail outlets.

Prerequisite units 

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. Operate tenderiser

1.1. Tenderiser is operated and maintained according to Occupational Health and Safety  (OH &S ) requirements  and manufacturer's specifications.

1.2. Meat is tenderised to workplace requirements .

1.3. Potential sources of contamination are identified and contamination is managed according to workplace requirements.

1.4. Flow of product is monitored according to workplace and Quality Assurance (QA) requirements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

Ability to:

• operate tenderiser in accordance with workplace requirements and manufacturer's specifications
• monitor meat input and output in accordance with work instructions
• carry out routine cleaning and maintenance in accordance with work instructions, manufacturer's specifications and hygiene and sanitation requirements
• work effectively as an individual and as part of a team
• apply relevant regulatory requirements 
• take action to improve own work performance as a result of self-evaluation, feedback from others, or in response to changed work practices or technology

Required knowledge 

Knowledge of:

• basic operating principles of meat tenderisers
• OH&S requirements related to meat tenderising
• work instructions for operating tenderiser
• relevant regulatory requirements
• potential sources of contamination to the product

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 

Competency must be demonstrated over a period of time and at a relevant rate of production.

Context of , and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must be conducted using meat prepared to a specification.

Method of assessment 

Recommended methods of assessment include:

• quiz of underpinning knowledge
• workplace demonstration
• workplace referee or third-party report of performance over time.

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.

OH &S requirements  may include:

• enterprise OH&S policies, procedures and programs
• OH&S legal requirements
• personal protective equipment (PPE):

• coats and aprons
• ear plugs or muffs
• eye and facial protection
• head-wear
• lifting assistance
• mesh aprons
• protective boot covers
• protective hand and arm covering
• protective head and hair covering
• uniforms
• waterproof clothing
• work, safety or waterproof footwear

• requirements set out in standards and codes of practice.

Workplace requirements  may include:

• enterprise-specific requirements
• OH&S requirements
• QA requirements
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• the ability to perform the task to production requirements
• work instructions.

Regulatory requirements  may include:

• Export Control Act
• hygiene and sanitation requirements
• relevant regulations
• requirements set out in AS 4696:2007 Australian Standard for Hygienic Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat Products for Human Consumption
• state and territory regulations regarding meat processing.

Unit sector 

Co-requisite units 

Competency field