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 situations available.

What enterprise requirements may apply to this standard?
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), industry standards, Total Quality Management standards, Code of Practice for the AWEX Quality System, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use), and reporting requirements.

What arrangements may be involved in selecting staff?
This may include the negotiation and signing of employment agreements, the arrangement of workers compensation insurance, arranging the provision of appropriate accommodation facilities, the induction of OHS and enterprise policies and procedures, and the identification of workplace hazards.

What legislative requirements may be relevant to this standard?
National Code of Practice for the Shearing Industry (Health, Safety and Welfare standards), and Animal Welfare Act.

What OHS requirements may be applicable to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
the operation and maintenance of hazard-free facilities and equipment
handling livestock
the administering of first aid
manual handling, including lifting and carrying
fleece/wool harvesting
the protection from electrical hazards, hazardous noise and organic and other dusts
the handling and storage of hazardous substances
the health and safety of shearing personnel
the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

What information may be included in a shearing plan?
Information may include operational strategies, shearing team roles and responsibilities, the location and number of livestock to be shorn, pressing instructions, shearing preparation procedures, equipment and resource requirements including personal protective equipment, contingency plan in the event of adverse weather conditions, and relevant enterprise instructions.

What may be involved in shearing and crutching operations?
This may include the conduct of shearing and crutching, the allocation of human and physical resourcing, issuing instructions to shed staff, monitoring clip preparations standards, and of bale details in the wool book. It may also include monitoring weather conditions, the humane handling of livestock, and compliance requirements with relevant animal welfare codes of practice.

What enterprise requirements may apply to this standard?
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), industry standards, Total Quality Management standards, Code of Practice for the AWEX Quality System, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use), and reporting requirements.

What arrangements may be involved in selecting staff?
This may include the negotiation and signing of employment agreements, the arrangement of workers compensation insurance, arranging the provision of appropriate accommodation facilities, the induction of OHS and enterprise policies and procedures, and the identification of workplace hazards.

What legislative requirements may be relevant to this standard?
National Code of Practice for the Shearing Industry (Health, Safety and Welfare standards), and Animal Welfare Act.

What OHS requirements may be applicable to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
the operation and maintenance of hazard-free facilities and equipment
handling livestock
the administering of first aid
manual handling, including lifting and carrying
fleece/wool harvesting
the protection from electrical hazards, hazardous noise and organic and other dusts
the handling and storage of hazardous substances
the health and safety of shearing personnel
the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

What information may be included in a shearing plan?
Information may include operational strategies, shearing team roles and responsibilities, the location and number of livestock to be shorn, pressing instructions, shearing preparation procedures, equipment and resource requirements including personal protective equipment, contingency plan in the event of adverse weather conditions, and relevant enterprise instructions.

What may be involved in shearing and crutching operations?
This may include the conduct of shearing and crutching, the allocation of human and physical resourcing, issuing instructions to shed staff, monitoring clip preparations standards, and of bale details in the wool book. It may also include monitoring weather conditions, the humane handling of livestock, and compliance requirements with relevant animal welfare codes of practice.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in this standard requires the ability to plan, implement and oversee shearing and crutching operations. Evidence must be demonstrated in compliance with relevant industry, enterprise and legislative requirements including the maintenance of a contaminant and hazard-free work environment.
The skills and knowledge required must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, this may include different enterprises, shearing teams and types and breeds of sheep.
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:

supervisory procedures with regard to operations and personnel
staff management including team building and conflict resolution
industry requirements with regard to hygiene and safety for shearing facilities and equipment
planning and implementation processes
completing workplace documentation
employment agreements, processes and requirements
OHS legislative requirements.

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:

plan and implement shearing operations
organise and schedule staff and work tasks
supervise staff and monitor productivity
identify and remove potential workplace hazards
implement risk management strategies
monitor environmental impacts and implement control measures
use written and oral information about workplace and legislative requirements
calculate resources and bale weights for mob cutouts.

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:

supervisory procedures with regard to operations and personnel
staff management including team building and conflict resolution
industry requirements with regard to hygiene and safety for shearing facilities and equipment
planning and implementation processes
completing workplace documentation
employment agreements, processes and requirements
OHS legislative requirements.

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:

plan and implement shearing operations
organise and schedule staff and work tasks
supervise staff and monitor productivity
identify and remove potential workplace hazards
implement risk management strategies
monitor environmental impacts and implement control measures
use written and oral information about workplace and legislative requirements
calculate resources and bale weights for mob cutouts.

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
Information with regard to the shearing plan and its application may be discussed with the shearing team. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Information with regard to the shearing plan and its application may be discussed with the shearing team. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information and instructions with regard to enterprise shearing and crutching objectives may be sourced and incorporated into a shearing plan. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information and instructions with regard to enterprise shearing and crutching objectives may be sourced and incorporated into a shearing plan. (2)

Planning and organising activities
The preparation, classing and pressing of the clip require all activities to be planed and organised. (3)

Planning and organising activities
The preparation, classing and pressing of the clip require all activities to be planed and organised. (3)

Working with others and in teams
In the effective application of methods and procedures to co-operatively achieve the shearing plan objectives. (2)

Working with others and in teams
In the effective application of methods and procedures to co-operatively achieve the shearing plan objectives. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In the calculation of livestock numbers and shearing personnel, and the estimation of timeframes for work completion. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In the calculation of livestock numbers and shearing personnel, and the estimation of timeframes for work completion. (2)

Solving problems
Contingency plans may be implemented in the event of adverse weather conditions or the breakdown of equipment to minimise disruption to shearing schedules. (2)

Solving problems
Contingency plans may be implemented in the event of adverse weather conditions or the breakdown of equipment to minimise disruption to shearing schedules. (2)

Using technology
To communicate information, and calculate and estimate productivity. (2)

Using technology
To communicate information, and calculate and estimate productivity. (2)