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 context.

What workplace information may be relevant to this standard?
Workplace information may include the production plan, standard operation procedures (SOP), industry literature, manufacturers specification, MSDS, product labels or verbal instruction from the manager or supervisor, and codes of practice.

What environmental parameters are likely to be monitored?
Environmental parameters may include temperature, light, air movement and humidity.

How can environmental parameters be adjusted?
Adjusting environmental parameters may include using fans, heaters, opening and shutting louvres and windows, using misters, and artificial lighting.

What hygiene procedures may be adjusted to minimise or control contamination?
Hygiene procedures may include washing tools and equipment after use, cleaning shoes and hands before entering work areas, maintaining good ventilation in growing areas, removing diseased or dead livestock promptly, cleaning/sanitising facilities, tools and equipment, preventing contamination of feed, and ensuring potable water is available to livestock.

What environmental implications may be considered when maintaining intensive growing systems?
Environmental considerations may include the safe disposal of chemical containers or left over chemicals, the run off from the washing and cleaning of tools and equipment, disposal of dead animals and debris, and the effective management of drainage of effluent.

What buildings and structures are likely to be checked?
Buildings and structures may include animal accommodation and holding structures, sheds, service buildings, pathways, fences, and sealed surfaces.

What equipment for controlling the atmospheric and root zone environments is likely to be checked?
Items of equipment may include heaters (air and water), coolers, lights, misting systems, humidifiers, exhaust fans, and air vents.

What OHS hazards may be identified in the work area?
Hazards may include hazardous chemicals; water and dust; manual handling of animals, moving equipment and vehicles, sharp tools, noise, slippery or uneven surfaces, heat, and zoonoses.

What suitable controls may be used to reduce OHS hazards?
Suitable controls may include following OHS procedures for the use and maintenance of equipment and machinery, use of protective clothing, handling and storage of hazardous substances, correct manual handling procedures, and the use and maintenance of suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

What workplace information may be relevant to this standard?
Workplace information may include the production plan, standard operation procedures (SOP), industry literature, manufacturers specification, MSDS, product labels or verbal instruction from the manager or supervisor, and codes of practice.

What environmental parameters are likely to be monitored?
Environmental parameters may include temperature, light, air movement and humidity.

How can environmental parameters be adjusted?
Adjusting environmental parameters may include using fans, heaters, opening and shutting louvres and windows, using misters, and artificial lighting.

What hygiene procedures may be adjusted to minimise or control contamination?
Hygiene procedures may include washing tools and equipment after use, cleaning shoes and hands before entering work areas, maintaining good ventilation in growing areas, removing diseased or dead livestock promptly, cleaning/sanitising facilities, tools and equipment, preventing contamination of feed, and ensuring potable water is available to livestock.

What environmental implications may be considered when maintaining intensive growing systems?
Environmental considerations may include the safe disposal of chemical containers or left over chemicals, the run off from the washing and cleaning of tools and equipment, disposal of dead animals and debris, and the effective management of drainage of effluent.

What buildings and structures are likely to be checked?
Buildings and structures may include animal accommodation and holding structures, sheds, service buildings, pathways, fences, and sealed surfaces.

What equipment for controlling the atmospheric and root zone environments is likely to be checked?
Items of equipment may include heaters (air and water), coolers, lights, misting systems, humidifiers, exhaust fans, and air vents.

What OHS hazards may be identified in the work area?
Hazards may include hazardous chemicals; water and dust; manual handling of animals, moving equipment and vehicles, sharp tools, noise, slippery or uneven surfaces, heat, and zoonoses.

What suitable controls may be used to reduce OHS hazards?
Suitable controls may include following OHS procedures for the use and maintenance of equipment and machinery, use of protective clothing, handling and storage of hazardous substances, correct manual handling procedures, and the use and maintenance of suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in implementing a maintenance program for intensive livestock production growing environments requires evidence that the intensive growing environment for livestock can be maintained and monitored to enterprise requirements.
The skills and knowledge required to implement a maintenance program must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, this could include different intensive growing systems, livestock types and classes, and enterprise procedures.
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 may include:

equipment used in intensive growing systems
environmental control mechanisms and ventilation and heating systems
light programs
feeding programs for different sexes, classes and types of livestock
basic animal anatomy
methods to analyse results of feed and water sampling
hygiene practices and awareness
normal behaviour of animals
enterprise and industry codes of practice
environmental implications of the disposal of chemicals or chemical containers and animal wastes.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

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

monitor livestock health and welfare
monitor the environment.
monitor feed systems and water supplies
perform routine maintenance checks
carry out routine repairs and maintenance
use of hand held and electrical tools such as welders, grinders and drills
sampling techniques
complete monitoring activities.

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 may include:

equipment used in intensive growing systems
environmental control mechanisms and ventilation and heating systems
light programs
feeding programs for different sexes, classes and types of livestock
basic animal anatomy
methods to analyse results of feed and water sampling
hygiene practices and awareness
normal behaviour of animals
enterprise and industry codes of practice
environmental implications of the disposal of chemicals or chemical containers and animal wastes.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

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

monitor livestock health and welfare
monitor the environment.
monitor feed systems and water supplies
perform routine maintenance checks
carry out routine repairs and maintenance
use of hand held and electrical tools such as welders, grinders and drills
sampling techniques
complete monitoring activities.

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 and ideas may need to be communicated to the manager and/or owner operator if faults are found in growing environments. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Information and ideas may need to be communicated to the manager and/or owner operator if faults are found in growing environments. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information may need to be collected, analysed and organised when testing and recording results on livestock health. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information may need to be collected, analysed and organised when testing and recording results on livestock health. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Activities may need to be planned and organised according to enterprise guidelines. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Activities may need to be planned and organised according to enterprise guidelines. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may need to be applied when testing and adjusting environmental parameters. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may need to be applied when testing and adjusting environmental parameters. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical ideas and techniques may need to be applied when testing and adjusting feeding and watering equipment. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical ideas and techniques may need to be applied when testing and adjusting feeding and watering equipment. (2)

Solving problems
Problem-solving skills may need to be applied to deal with poor growth of livestock and problems (2)

Solving problems
Problem-solving skills may need to be applied to deal with poor growth of livestock and problems (2)

Using technology
The use of technology may be applied when maintaining the water quality in a recirculating hydroponic system. (2)

Using technology
The use of technology may be applied when maintaining the water quality in a recirculating hydroponic system. (2)