Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables defines the different contexts, work environments and parameters governing the performance of this unit of competency. The variables chosen in training and assessment will need to reflect local industry and regional contexts.

What decision-making criteria are relevant in this standard?
Decision-making criteria include:
pain and distress of the animal
likelihood of recovery
ability to get to feed and water
medications used on the animal
drug withdrawal time
economics
condemnation potential
diagnostic information.

Which livestock may be included in this standard?
Livestock that are required to be destroyed under the enterprise euthanasia plan for one or more of the following reasons:
irreparable fracture limbs causing severe trauma
loss of production
quality of life
inability to stand or walk
diagnostic reasons such as potential to cause human disease
debilitating or toxic condition
cost of treatment prohibitive and poor prognosis
extended withdrawal time for sale of meat and poor prognosis.

What methods may be selected for euthanasing livestock?
For small animals, euthanasia methods may include cervical dislocation, gunshot, captive bolt, and exsanguination.
For large animals, euthanasia methods may include gunshot and captive bolt.
Note that ethical and humane standards of euthanasia do not permit the following methods of euthanasia for large animals: manually applied blunt trauma to the head, injection of chemical agents into conscious animals, air embolism, electrocution and exsanguination.

What might be included as equipment and materials?
Firearms, knives.

What are the relevant statutory and local authority requirements that may impact on euthanasia of livestock?
Environmental protection, animal welfare, use of firearms (including licensing requirements and exemptions), humane treatment of animals, poisons and veterinary substances, identification and reporting of suspected outbreaks of exotic disease, OHS regulations, and common law principles relating to property, stock, duty of care and due diligence.

What decision-making criteria are relevant in this standard?
Decision-making criteria include:
pain and distress of the animal
likelihood of recovery
ability to get to feed and water
medications used on the animal
drug withdrawal time
economics
condemnation potential
diagnostic information.

Which livestock may be included in this standard?
Livestock that are required to be destroyed under the enterprise euthanasia plan for one or more of the following reasons:
irreparable fracture limbs causing severe trauma
loss of production
quality of life
inability to stand or walk
diagnostic reasons such as potential to cause human disease
debilitating or toxic condition
cost of treatment prohibitive and poor prognosis
extended withdrawal time for sale of meat and poor prognosis.

What methods may be selected for euthanasing livestock?
For small animals, euthanasia methods may include cervical dislocation, gunshot, captive bolt, and exsanguination.
For large animals, euthanasia methods may include gunshot and captive bolt.
Note that ethical and humane standards of euthanasia do not permit the following methods of euthanasia for large animals: manually applied blunt trauma to the head, injection of chemical agents into conscious animals, air embolism, electrocution and exsanguination.

What might be included as equipment and materials?
Firearms, knives.

What are the relevant statutory and local authority requirements that may impact on euthanasia of livestock?
Environmental protection, animal welfare, use of firearms (including licensing requirements and exemptions), humane treatment of animals, poisons and veterinary substances, identification and reporting of suspected outbreaks of exotic disease, OHS regulations, and common law principles relating to property, stock, duty of care and due diligence.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in euthanasing livestock requires evidence that animals have been destroyed in a humane way that minimises pain and distress according to enterprise guidelines and industry best practice.
The skills and knowledge required to euthanasing livestock must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts. For example, this could include different animals, methods of euthanasia and enterprise action plans.
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 unit are listed below:

OHS regulations and safe practice in euthanasing animals
statutory legislation and requirements related to euthanasing livestock
enterprise euthanasia action plans
animal handling and behaviour
anatomy and physical features of the animal
animal welfare
where firearms are used, procedures appropriate to the firearms safety and handling.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

prepare for euthanasia
carry out euthanasia of animal
clean and store equipment and materials.

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 unit are listed below:

OHS regulations and safe practice in euthanasing animals
statutory legislation and requirements related to euthanasing livestock
enterprise euthanasia action plans
animal handling and behaviour
anatomy and physical features of the animal
animal welfare
where firearms are used, procedures appropriate to the firearms safety and handling.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

prepare for euthanasia
carry out euthanasia of animal
clean and store equipment and materials.

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
Clarify requirements and expectations for the job and liaise with supervisor. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
Clarify requirements and expectations for the job and liaise with supervisor. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Determine requirements for method and timing of euthanasia. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Determine requirements for method and timing of euthanasia. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Organise own work activities. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Organise own work activities. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Collaborate with work colleagues during work activities. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Collaborate with work colleagues during work activities. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Estimate material requirements and assess scope of job. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Estimate material requirements and assess scope of job. (2)

Solving problems
Consider problems that arise during the job and determine contingency activities. (1)

Solving problems
Consider problems that arise during the job and determine contingency activities. (1)

Using technology
Use and maintain equipment and materials. (2)

Using technology
Use and maintain equipment and materials. (2)