Elements and Performance Criteria

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

What measures might be taken to ensure that OHS hazards are identified and risks assessed and controlled?
Systems and practices could be put in place that ensure:
safe manual handling systems and procedures are being used
safe systems and procedures in maintaining hygiene to reduce slip and trip hazards are in place
safe livestock handling systems and procedures are in place, including the provision of additional caution when handling rams
appropriate clothing and foot wear is worn to prevent feet crushing and skin abrasions
yards and gates are in good working order, i.e., gates swing and latch freely.
Consideration of OHS issues for this standard may also include consideration of any national codes of practice in the industry.

Who might the supervisor be?
It may be the manager, classer, owner or overseer.

What personal protective equipment and clothing might be required for penning sheep?
Boots, overalls, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and protective equipment for working in exposed conditions.

How might mob cutout be communicated to the shed supervisor?
The supervisor may be communicated to either verbally or by using hand signals.

What might catching pens include?
They might be front fill, back fill or side fill pens.

How might the wool be contaminated?
Amongst the contaminants are lamb pouches, maggot affected wool, urine stains, dung stains, skin pieces, black fibres, loose woolpack fibres, baling twines, man-made fibres and clothing, dermatitis, branding dyes, dags, grease locks, burrs and vegetable matter, shed debris, and wet fibre or water stains.

What contaminants can be removed from pens?
Such things as burrs and vegetable matter, shed debris, hairs from other animals, twine and dung.

What measures might be taken to ensure that OHS hazards are identified and risks assessed and controlled?
Systems and practices could be put in place that ensure:
safe manual handling systems and procedures are being used
safe systems and procedures in maintaining hygiene to reduce slip and trip hazards are in place
safe livestock handling systems and procedures are in place, including the provision of additional caution when handling rams
appropriate clothing and foot wear is worn to prevent feet crushing and skin abrasions
yards and gates are in good working order, i.e., gates swing and latch freely.
Consideration of OHS issues for this standard may also include consideration of any national codes of practice in the industry.

Who might the supervisor be?
It may be the manager, classer, owner or overseer.

What personal protective equipment and clothing might be required for penning sheep?
Boots, overalls, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and protective equipment for working in exposed conditions.

How might mob cutout be communicated to the shed supervisor?
The supervisor may be communicated to either verbally or by using hand signals.

What might catching pens include?
They might be front fill, back fill or side fill pens.

How might the wool be contaminated?
Amongst the contaminants are lamb pouches, maggot affected wool, urine stains, dung stains, skin pieces, black fibres, loose woolpack fibres, baling twines, man-made fibres and clothing, dermatitis, branding dyes, dags, grease locks, burrs and vegetable matter, shed debris, and wet fibre or water stains.

What contaminants can be removed from pens?
Such things as burrs and vegetable matter, shed debris, hairs from other animals, twine and dung.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in penning up sheep requires evidence that sheep are supplied continuously, in good time, and with minimal contaminants to the shearers.
The skills and knowledge required to pen up sheep must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, across the range of shed types, mob sizes, and sheep breeds.
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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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
Using hand and verbal signals with the shearers and supervisor. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
Using hand and verbal signals with the shearers and supervisor. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In arranging sheep according to different mobs and wool types. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In arranging sheep according to different mobs and wool types. (2)

Planning and organising activities
In ensuring that sheep are continuously fed to the shearers. (1)

Planning and organising activities
In ensuring that sheep are continuously fed to the shearers. (1)

Working with others and in teams
In working with other workers and the supervisor to handle and move sheep. (1)

Working with others and in teams
In working with other workers and the supervisor to handle and move sheep. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In monitoring and estimating sheep numbers for movement into and out of the catching pens. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In monitoring and estimating sheep numbers for movement into and out of the catching pens. (1)

Solving problems
In co-ordinating shearing operations with mob cutout. (1)

Solving problems
In co-ordinating shearing operations with mob cutout. (1)

Using technology
Not applicable. (0)

Using technology
Not applicable. (0)