Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Food safety programs
A food safety program is a written document that specifies how a business will control all food safety hazards that are reasonably expected to occur in the food business. The food safety program must provide for the systematic monitoring of the controls as well as appropriate corrective action if a hazard is found not to be under control. Records must be kept to demonstrate action in relation to, or in compliance with, the food safety program. A food safety program may be developed as a stand-alone program or may be integrated with the quality program in a workplace
Methods used to control hazards
Methods used to control hazards include:
both support programs and specific hazard control limits or requirements
Typical examples of support programs include:
product recall
cleaning schedules
pest control programs
personal hygiene practices
calibration procedures and related operating procedures
Food safety hazards
Food safety hazards include:
microbiological
chemical
physical hazards
Validation
Validation refers to:
the use of objective evidence in order to prove that materials, processes, procedures or equipment used are capable of delivering the intended result
Verification
Verification refers to:
reviewing all aspects of the food safety program and related records to determine compliance with and adequacy of the food safety program
At a minimum, food safety programs must be verified annually
Scope of the HACCP based plans
The scope of the HACCP-based plan depends on workplace requirements and may extend outside the direct area of responsibility of the team participants

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment
Assessment must be carried out in a manner that recognises the cultural and literacy requirements of the assessee and is appropriate to the work performed. Competence in this unit must be achieved in accordance with food safety standards and regulations.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of ability to:
identify components and parameters of a food safety program
identify food safety hazards in production processes
establish and validate control standards and methods for each hazard
establish procedures for unpredicted hazards
communicate and document hazards and control procedures
complete workplace records
apply safe work practices and identify occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards and controls
apply food safety procedures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must occur in a real or simulated workplace where the assessee has access to:
workplace food safety program documentation
advice on quality and food safety legislation
procedures for developing or modifying specifications and other advice on food safety requirements
procedures for developing or modifying documentation, such as work instructions and procedures, log sheets and other recording requirements
review/audit arrangements
consultative mechanisms
communication systems
training system
reporting/recording system.

Method of assessment
This unit should be assessed together with core units and other units of competency relevant to the function or work role.

Guidance information for assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.