Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:00 AM AWST

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Care for health and welfare of pigs

Care for health and welfare of pigs

Unit of competency
National Code
AHCPRK311
State Code
OFA94
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
24/01/2023
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
09/06/2023
Field of Education
050105 - Animal Husbandry
Original Release Date
09/06/2023
Nominal Hours
45
Description
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide routine health care for pigs. It includes monitoring pig environments, feeding and watering, and completing health checks and treatments.This unit applies to individuals who apply technical knowledge and skills with discretion and judgement to care for pigs in pork production environments. They work under broad direction, coordinate activities and solve problems related to pig welfare. Work environments may include indoor and outdoor pork production systems.Commonwealth and/or state/territory health and safety, animal welfare, environmental protection and biosecurity legislation, regulations and codes of practice apply to keeping and working with pigs. Requirements vary between jurisdictions.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.Mandatory workplace requirements apply to the assessment of this unit.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Monitor pig environment
  • 1.1 Identify and follow biosecurity procedures that apply to entering and working on a pork production site
  • 1.2 Identify health and safety hazards, and assess risks and control risks prior to commencing monitoring tasks
  • 1.3 Select, prepare and fit appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) required for monitoring tasks and conditions
  • 1.4 Check and/or adjust pig accommodation and/or enclosures to meet individual animal health and welfare requirements according to enterprise procedures, including safety and security
  • 1.5 Check and/or adjust temperature, ventilation, humidity and other environmental control equipment to meet pig needs
  • 1.6 Check and/or adjust pig feeders and drinkers according to enterprise schedule
  • 1.7 Check for signs of pests and/or predators according to enterprise procedures
  • 1.8 Record and report issues according to enterprise requirements
2. Maintain hygiene
  • 2.1 Identify work areas, surfaces and equipment to be cleaned and/or disinfected
  • 2.2 Identify health and safety hazards, and assess risks and control risks prior to commencing hygiene tasks
  • 2.3 Select and fit appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) required for hygiene tasks and conditions
  • 2.4 Clean and/or disinfect work areas, equipment and surfaces according to enterprise health, safety, personal hygiene and biosecurity procedures
  • 2.5 Dispose of waste according to enterprise environmental and biosecurity procedures
3. Carry out routine pig health checks
  • 3.1 Identify signs of good health in pigs
  • 3.2 Check pigs and report signs of ill health, diseases, parasite infestations, physical abnormalities and abnormal behaviour
  • 3.3 Seek immediate advice where signs indicate an unusual disease
  • 3.4 Record pig health status
4. Administer treatments to pigs
  • 4.1 Confirm pig identification and determine vaccine, medication or other treatment requirements according to enterprise health plan
  • 4.2 Identify health and safety hazards, assess risks and control risks prior to commencing treatment tasks
  • 4.3 Select and fit appropriate PPE required for treatment tasks and conditions
  • 4.4 Provide routine vaccines, medications or other treatments to pigs using safe and low stress techniques according to enterprise requirements
  • 4.5 Store vaccines, medications and treatments according to product label and enterprise requirements
  • 4.6 Complete records according to enterprise requirements
5. Respond to dead or non-viable pigs
  • 5.1 Remove and/or dispose of dead pigs according to enterprise procedures
  • 5.2 Recognise, report and carry out appropriate procedures for non-viable pigs5.3 Report and record pig losses and non-viable pigs
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
BAR68 AHCPRK201 Care for health and welfare of pigs Unit of competency