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 equipment may be prepared?
This may include:
milk harvesting equipment
milk cooling and refrigeration equipment
emergency drive source equipment
yard washing equipment
waste management system equipment
feeding equipment
dairy herd drenching equipment
teat spray equipment
hot water service
fly control systems.

What livestock may be relevant to this standard?
Livestock may include dairy cattle, sheep or goats.

What potential and existing hazards may be associated with milking operations?
Hazards may include livestock movement and handling, damaged yards, obstacles, uneven ground, and mechanical malfunctions including exposure to moving parts and hydraulics.

What enterprise requirements may apply to this standard?
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), industry standards, Total Quality Management standards, product labels, manufacturers specifications, MSDS, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use) and supervisors oral or written instructions.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
the operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment including hydraulics and guarding of moving exposed machine parts
livestock handling including zoonosis and leptospirosis control
the protection against electrical hazards
handling hot water and protection from scalds
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation
use of relevant personal protective equipment.

What dairy facilities may be cleaned?
This may include yards, pens, milk lines and equipment.

What equipment may be prepared?
This may include:
milk harvesting equipment
milk cooling and refrigeration equipment
emergency drive source equipment
yard washing equipment
waste management system equipment
feeding equipment
dairy herd drenching equipment
teat spray equipment
hot water service
fly control systems.

What livestock may be relevant to this standard?
Livestock may include dairy cattle, sheep or goats.

What potential and existing hazards may be associated with milking operations?
Hazards may include livestock movement and handling, damaged yards, obstacles, uneven ground, and mechanical malfunctions including exposure to moving parts and hydraulics.

What enterprise requirements may apply to this standard?
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), industry standards, Total Quality Management standards, product labels, manufacturers specifications, MSDS, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use) and supervisors oral or written instructions.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
the operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment including hydraulics and guarding of moving exposed machine parts
livestock handling including zoonosis and leptospirosis control
the protection against electrical hazards
handling hot water and protection from scalds
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation
use of relevant personal protective equipment.

What dairy facilities may be cleaned?
This may include yards, pens, milk lines and equipment.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in this standard requires evidence of the ability to safely and humanely handle livestock and utilise the components and controls of milking machinery to milk livestock. It also requires the ability to clean dairy facilities and equipment to industry standards, recognise and isolate unsuitable milk, and identify sickness or abnormal behaviour in livestock. Evidence must also be demonstrated in the employment of safe workplace and positive environmental practices.
The skills and knowledge required to milk livestock must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, this could include different animals or milking routines.
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:

functions, capacities and cleaning requirements of milking machinery and equipment
identify machinery faults and malfunctions
livestock behavioural characteristics and handling techniques
identification of animal health problems encountered during milking such as mastitis
lactation and milking routines
udder development and secretion of milk
milk quality attributes and quality assurance standards
dairy hygiene requirements
reporting requirements and procedures
OHS legislative requirements
relevant codes of practice with regard to environmentally safe disposal of waste.

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:

identify abnormal behaviour or health problems in livestock including mastitis
interpret and apply task instructions
read and comprehend written information and instructions
converse effectively with the supervisor and staff
calculate livestock numbers and measure milk production.

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:

functions, capacities and cleaning requirements of milking machinery and equipment
identify machinery faults and malfunctions
livestock behavioural characteristics and handling techniques
identification of animal health problems encountered during milking such as mastitis
lactation and milking routines
udder development and secretion of milk
milk quality attributes and quality assurance standards
dairy hygiene requirements
reporting requirements and procedures
OHS legislative requirements
relevant codes of practice with regard to environmentally safe disposal of waste.

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:

identify abnormal behaviour or health problems in livestock including mastitis
interpret and apply task instructions
read and comprehend written information and instructions
converse effectively with the supervisor and staff
calculate livestock numbers and measure milk production.

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 milking procedures and dairy policy may be discussed with other personnel. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
Information with regard to milking procedures and dairy policy may be discussed with other personnel. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to individual livestock and milking performance may be monitored and reported to the supervisor. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to individual livestock and milking performance may be monitored and reported to the supervisor. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Cleaning activities may be planned and arranged after milking operations or sequenced as required. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Cleaning activities may be planned and arranged after milking operations or sequenced as required. (1)

Working with others and in teams
In the application of methods and procedures to complete milking operations and maximise production. (1)

Working with others and in teams
In the application of methods and procedures to complete milking operations and maximise production. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical techniques may be used to calculate production and livestock numbers. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical techniques may be used to calculate production and livestock numbers. (1)

Solving problems
Isolating affected animals and arranging for the application of appropriate treatment may resolve health problems, such as mastitis. (1)

Solving problems
Isolating affected animals and arranging for the application of appropriate treatment may resolve health problems, such as mastitis. (1)

Using technology
Technology may be used to carry out and complete milking process. (1)

Using technology
Technology may be used to carry out and complete milking process. (1)