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.

Who carries out cleaning-time testing of milking machines?
Cleaning-time testing may be carried out by a range of industry specialists including count down, down under qualified technicians, cleaning specialists and tanker drivers.

What tests are carried out with cleaning-time testing?
Tests may include chemical concentration, water temperature, water quality, water and air flow velocities and cleaning cycle times.

When is cleaning-time testing carried out?
Cleaning-time tests may be carried out:
when a new cleaning system is installed
to investigate cleaning problems or when milk tests indicate poor cleaning efficiency.

What factory records will provide information suitable for cleaning-time testing?
Cleaning-time tests may be carried out:
when a new cleaning system is installed
to investigate cleaning problems or when milk tests indicate poor cleaning efficiency.

What sort of tests will be carried out with cleaning-time testing?
Cleaning-time tests may include the measurement of
cleaning fluid temperatures, chemical concentrations, water quality, water and air flow velocities, and cleaning cycle times.

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 are the environmental implications of the performance of this unit?
The environmentally safe disposal of excess veterinary chemicals (in particular cleaning chemicals) and their containers is implicated in this unit.

Who carries out cleaning-time testing of milking machines?
Cleaning-time testing may be carried out by a range of industry specialists including count down, down under qualified technicians, cleaning specialists and tanker drivers.

What tests are carried out with cleaning-time testing?
Tests may include chemical concentration, water temperature, water quality, water and air flow velocities and cleaning cycle times.

When is cleaning-time testing carried out?
Cleaning-time tests may be carried out:
when a new cleaning system is installed
to investigate cleaning problems or when milk tests indicate poor cleaning efficiency.

What factory records will provide information suitable for cleaning-time testing?
Cleaning-time tests may be carried out:
when a new cleaning system is installed
to investigate cleaning problems or when milk tests indicate poor cleaning efficiency.

What sort of tests will be carried out with cleaning-time testing?
Cleaning-time tests may include the measurement of
cleaning fluid temperatures, chemical concentrations, water quality, water and air flow velocities, and cleaning cycle times.

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 are the environmental implications of the performance of this unit?
The environmentally safe disposal of excess veterinary chemicals (in particular cleaning chemicals) and their containers is implicated in this unit.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in carrying out cleaning-time tests of milking machines requires evidence that an individual is able to carry out the tests prescribed in industry endorsed testing regimes and manufacturers guidelines in a milking shed environment.
The skills and knowledge required to carry out cleaning-time tests of milking machines must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, they may be utilised as a part of an industry partnership to solve milk-harvesting problems or may simply be carried out to assess cleaning performance as a part of routine quality assurance processes.
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:

principles of milking machine function
the mechanical testing of milking equipment
milking operation and shed management
relevant milk quality assurance programs
dairy factory milk quality assessment procedures
relevant bacteriology of milking equipment and factory milk quality assurance programs
cleaning and sanitation processes for milking equipment
aspects of water quality the affect cleaning chemicals and the cleaning process
the range of cleaning chemicals and compounds used for cleaning milking equipment and their action.

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:

accurately carry out mechanical tests of milking machines in accordance with industry standards
competently use milking equipment testing tools, gauges and equipment
interpret water quality test results
accurately interpret cleaning chemical labels and follow label directions
effectively carry out cleaning-time testing procedures of milking machines in line with standard procedures and ISO standards
efficiently implement routine cleaning procedures for milking machines
act in a team situation to address milk quality problems
communicate effectively with milk harvesting professionals involved in the diagnosis of milk quality problems
interpret and communicate test results accurately to the farmer or shed manager.

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:

principles of milking machine function
the mechanical testing of milking equipment
milking operation and shed management
relevant milk quality assurance programs
dairy factory milk quality assessment procedures
relevant bacteriology of milking equipment and factory milk quality assurance programs
cleaning and sanitation processes for milking equipment
aspects of water quality the affect cleaning chemicals and the cleaning process
the range of cleaning chemicals and compounds used for cleaning milking equipment and their action.

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:

accurately carry out mechanical tests of milking machines in accordance with industry standards
competently use milking equipment testing tools, gauges and equipment
interpret water quality test results
accurately interpret cleaning chemical labels and follow label directions
effectively carry out cleaning-time testing procedures of milking machines in line with standard procedures and ISO standards
efficiently implement routine cleaning procedures for milking machines
act in a team situation to address milk quality problems
communicate effectively with milk harvesting professionals involved in the diagnosis of milk quality problems
interpret and communicate test results accurately to the farmer or shed manager.

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

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

Communicating ideas and information
Sound communication with the full range of milk harvesting industry professionals including the dairy farmer or shed manager and chemical suppliers is crucial in the performance of this unit. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Sound communication with the full range of milk harvesting industry professionals including the dairy farmer or shed manager and chemical suppliers is crucial in the performance of this unit. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
The addressing of cleaning problems requires the assembly of information on water quality, leaning chemical usage and other case history information from a range of sources. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
The addressing of cleaning problems requires the assembly of information on water quality, leaning chemical usage and other case history information from a range of sources. (2)

Planning and organising activities
The conduct of cleaning-time testing procedures will need to be organised and conducted at a time that will co-ordinate with daily milking routines. (1)

Planning and organising activities
The conduct of cleaning-time testing procedures will need to be organised and conducted at a time that will co-ordinate with daily milking routines. (1)

Working with others and in teams
The development of solutions to cleaning problems can only be carried out in partnership with other industry specialists and a teamwork approach. (1)

Working with others and in teams
The development of solutions to cleaning problems can only be carried out in partnership with other industry specialists and a teamwork approach. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
A range of simple mathematical techniques will need to be utilised to calculate chemical concentrations as well as milking machine performance indicators. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
A range of simple mathematical techniques will need to be utilised to calculate chemical concentrations as well as milking machine performance indicators. (2)

Solving problems
Problem-solving skills are an integral part of this unit in solving problems of poor cleaning performance and machine function. (2)

Solving problems
Problem-solving skills are an integral part of this unit in solving problems of poor cleaning performance and machine function. (2)

Using technology
A variety of testing and diagnostic equipment will be utilised to measure and calculate in the performance of this unit. (2)

Using technology
A variety of testing and diagnostic equipment will be utilised to measure and calculate in the performance of this unit. (2)