Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

What are hygiene practices?

Hygiene practices may include consideration of all cleaning practices from milking the cow to the milk collection at the farm gate.

Does the hygiene practice only include the cleaning method?

Establishing current hygiene practices will include an evaluation of the equipment specification cleaning method as well as the cleaning system used.

How important are factory tests in the context of machine cleaning?

Factory tests are many and varied and will range from BMCC (bulk milk cell count) through to a Total Plate Count to estimate the total number of living bacterial colonies in a representative milk sample - with differing tests for differing bacteria. These tests are crucial in establishing the effectiveness or otherwise of the cleaning process.

Why is temperature and chemical concentration important in the cleaning of milking machines?

There are four components of the milking machine cleaning quadrant that together bring about efficient cleaning - chemical concentration and turbulence.

Are there any other factors that affect cleaning performance?

Impinging on all components of the cleaning quadrant are those of

What sort of cleaning chemicals are used?

Cleaning chemicals include acid and alkaline detergents and sanitisers.

What are the OHS implications inherent in the performance of this unit?

Procedures to identify OHS hazards, assess risks, establish safe systems of work and complete OHS risk assessment records .

What is included in machines and ancillary equipment?

This will include the milking plant including all lines and cans, as well as additional non-milking equipment such as jetters, cup removers, etc.

What in particular should be checked as trouble spots during the cleaning of the machines and ancillary equipment?

There are many points at which problems may occur but in particular the following areas should be checked:

airline, liners, milking clusters, rubber or plastic dropper components, automatic take offs, milk receival unit, end of milk line, curved milk lines, air injector, sanitary trap, milk pump, milk filter and the plate cooler.

What is included in the vat cleaning routines?

Vat cleaning routines include the cleaning of plate coolers and the milk releasing system.

Are there any specific checks to be undertaken when carrying out vat cleaning routines?

In the older style of vat, checks should include:

the bridge, dipstick including the collar, agitator including all blades, corners, outlet including the O-ring, level between milkings where the largest fat build-up may occur and the lids, particularly at the milk entry point.

In the auto washing vat, additional checks should be made of:

wash pumps are sized correctly, spray ball covers all areas, door seals are checked, wash water levels are adequate, detergent quantities are correct for the amount of water used and that the temperature of the water delivered matches the temperature shown on the dials of the automatic wash unit.

What is milk stone?

Milk stone is a deposit with strong surface adhesion that results from milk soil - a combination of mineral and protein deposits and the by-products of bacterial growth.

What are hygiene practices?

Hygiene practices may include consideration of all cleaning practices from milking the cow to the milk collection at the farm gate.

Does the hygiene practice only include the cleaning method?

Establishing current hygiene practices will include an evaluation of the equipment specification cleaning method as well as the cleaning system used.

How important are factory tests in the context of machine cleaning?

Factory tests are many and varied and will range from BMCC (bulk milk cell count) through to a Total Plate Count to estimate the total number of living bacterial colonies in a representative milk sample - with differing tests for differing bacteria. These tests are crucial in establishing the effectiveness or otherwise of the cleaning process.

Why is temperature and chemical concentration important in the cleaning of milking machines?

There are four components of the milking machine cleaning quadrant that together bring about efficient cleaning - chemical concentration and turbulence.

Are there any other factors that affect cleaning performance?

Impinging on all components of the cleaning quadrant are those of

What sort of cleaning chemicals are used?

Cleaning chemicals include acid and alkaline detergents and sanitisers.

What are the OHS implications inherent in the performance of this unit?

Procedures to identify OHS hazards, assess risks, establish safe systems of work and complete OHS risk assessment records .

What is included in machines and ancillary equipment?

This will include the milking plant including all lines and cans, as well as additional non-milking equipment such as jetters, cup removers, etc.

What in particular should be checked as trouble spots during the cleaning of the machines and ancillary equipment?

There are many points at which problems may occur but in particular the following areas should be checked:

airline, liners, milking clusters, rubber or plastic dropper components, automatic take offs, milk receival unit, end of milk line, curved milk lines, air injector, sanitary trap, milk pump, milk filter and the plate cooler.

What is included in the vat cleaning routines?

Vat cleaning routines include the cleaning of plate coolers and the milk releasing system.

Are there any specific checks to be undertaken when carrying out vat cleaning routines?

In the older style of vat, checks should include:

the bridge, dipstick including the collar, agitator including all blades, corners, outlet including the O-ring, level between milkings where the largest fat build-up may occur and the lids, particularly at the milk entry point.

In the auto washing vat, additional checks should be made of:

wash pumps are sized correctly, spray ball covers all areas, door seals are checked, wash water levels are adequate, detergent quantities are correct for the amount of water used and that the temperature of the water delivered matches the temperature shown on the dials of the automatic wash unit.

What is milk stone?

Milk stone is a deposit with strong surface adhesion that results from milk soil - a combination of mineral and protein deposits and the by-products of bacterial growth.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in cleaning milking machines requires evidence that an individual is able to effectively identify and specify quality hygiene practices for farm dairies.
The skills and knowledge required to clean milking machines must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, candidates need to be able to operate cleaning systems from the smallest in-line system to the largest rotary dairy.
Competence also requires a demonstrated knowledge of cleaning systems and chemicals that apply to the dairy industry.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?
Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:
best practice hygiene routines employed in farm dairies
the range of bacteria affecting milk quality
microbial testing of milk and the effect of cleaning practices on those levels
the role of chemical concentration , physical turbulence, water temperature and contact time in the cleaning routine
the conduct of milking machine cleaning routines
the conduct of vat cleaning routines
cleaning chemicals and methods
common milking machine cleaning systems and their operation.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?
To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:
assemble/disassemble milking equipment
efficiently carry out milking equipment and vat cleaning routines
prepare cleaning solutions in accordance with manufacturers specifications
effectively evaluate cleaning routines for equipment and vats
identify cleaning problems
identify mechanical and chemical safety hazards associated with the cleaning process.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?
Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:
best practice hygiene routines employed in farm dairies
the range of bacteria affecting milk quality
microbial testing of milk and the effect of cleaning practices on those levels
the role of chemical concentration , physical turbulence, water temperature and contact time in the cleaning routine
the conduct of milking machine cleaning routines
the conduct of vat cleaning routines
cleaning chemicals and methods
common milking machine cleaning systems and their operation.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?
To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:
assemble/disassemble milking equipment
efficiently carry out milking equipment and vat cleaning routines
prepare cleaning solutions in accordance with manufacturers specifications
effectively evaluate cleaning routines for equipment and vats
identify cleaning problems
identify mechanical and chemical safety hazards associated with the cleaning process.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Sound communication practice is crucial to the performance of this unit to ensure that accurate information is obtained on the cleaning process. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Sound communication practice is crucial to the performance of this unit to ensure that accurate information is obtained on the cleaning process. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
The collection and collation of information on the installation and the hygiene procedures will be carried out in hard and electronic forms. Information and records on which advice will be based will utilise information from all sources. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
The collection and collation of information on the installation and the hygiene procedures will be carried out in hard and electronic forms. Information and records on which advice will be based will utilise information from all sources. (2)

Planning and organising activities
The collation of information on all parameters in the cleaning process needs to be planned to co-ordinate with the daily milking and factory reporting processes. (2)

Planning and organising activities
The collation of information on all parameters in the cleaning process needs to be planned to co-ordinate with the daily milking and factory reporting processes. (2)

Working with others and in teams
In order to access the maximum amount of information on the herd, as well as machine specifications and performance, a team approach is required to cleaning problems. (2)

Working with others and in teams
In order to access the maximum amount of information on the herd, as well as machine specifications and performance, a team approach is required to cleaning problems. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
A range of mathematical calculations are involved in the calculation of equipment specifications, the recording of all aspects of bacteriological testing, and in the calculation of cleaning chemical concentrations. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
A range of mathematical calculations are involved in the calculation of equipment specifications, the recording of all aspects of bacteriological testing, and in the calculation of cleaning chemical concentrations. (2)

Solving problems
In the diagnosis of high bacterial counts in milk and investigation of machine cleaning problems. (2)

Solving problems
In the diagnosis of high bacterial counts in milk and investigation of machine cleaning problems. (2)

Using technology
Communication and calculation of testing results will include use of a range of technologies. (2)

Using technology
Communication and calculation of testing results will include use of a range of technologies. (2)