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 particular training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

Which housing and environment conditions need to be checked?
Temperature, ventilation, safety hazards for pigs, feed and water supplies, effluent disposal, air quality, floor litter, and the isolation or quarantine area will need to be checked as part of a daily routine. Ventilation controls may be manual or automatic and may include blinds, shutters, panels, registers, and poly socks.
Waste materials, such as effluent, waste or spilled food, litter and broken components, floor litter, plastic, metal, and paper-based materials may be identified. These may be recycled, re-used, returned to the manufacturer or disposed of according to enterprise work procedures.

What enterprise requirements might be relevant to this standard?
Standard operating procedures (SOPs), industry standards, production schedules, Material Safety Data Sheets, work notes, product labels, manufacturers specifications, operators manuals, enterprise quality assurance manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), OHS procedures, supervisors oral or written instructions, work and routine maintenance plans.

What OHS hazards may be associated with intensive pig production?
Hazards may include dust, noise, air and soil-borne micro-organisms, effluent/dung, chemicals and hazardous substances, manual handling, slippery and uneven surfaces, needle stick injuries and zoonoses.
Appropriate controls will include the use of personal protective clothing and equipment, including steel capped boots/shoes, overalls, gloves, safety goggles, face mask and ear protectors.

What are weaning procedures?
Weaning procedures may include humane handling, separating weaners into viable lots, providing a clean, warm, dry and draught free environment, recognising and reporting common disease or symptoms of ill-thrift and treating disease as instructed. Procedures will also cover ensuring correct fresh and palatable feed and fresh water is accessible to all weaners.

What is covered in monitoring pig condition and health?
Pig condition and health is monitored by checking weight, signs of stress such as tail biting and ear chewing, feed consumed and general behaviour.

What health treatments might need to be followed for pigs?
Treating pig health may include administering antibiotic injections under veterinary supervision, administering nutrient drenches, using prescribed medication in water, using prescribed medication in feed, monitoring the compliance with established withholding periods.

What tools and equipment may be required when caring for weaners and growers?
Tools and equipment required may include drafting boards for the movement of stock, syringes and other equipment used for administering medications to animals on an individual or group basis.

Which housing and environment conditions need to be checked?
Temperature, ventilation, safety hazards for pigs, feed and water supplies, effluent disposal, air quality, floor litter, and the isolation or quarantine area will need to be checked as part of a daily routine. Ventilation controls may be manual or automatic and may include blinds, shutters, panels, registers, and poly socks.
Waste materials, such as effluent, waste or spilled food, litter and broken components, floor litter, plastic, metal, and paper-based materials may be identified. These may be recycled, re-used, returned to the manufacturer or disposed of according to enterprise work procedures.

What enterprise requirements might be relevant to this standard?
Standard operating procedures (SOPs), industry standards, production schedules, Material Safety Data Sheets, work notes, product labels, manufacturers specifications, operators manuals, enterprise quality assurance manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), OHS procedures, supervisors oral or written instructions, work and routine maintenance plans.

What OHS hazards may be associated with intensive pig production?
Hazards may include dust, noise, air and soil-borne micro-organisms, effluent/dung, chemicals and hazardous substances, manual handling, slippery and uneven surfaces, needle stick injuries and zoonoses.
Appropriate controls will include the use of personal protective clothing and equipment, including steel capped boots/shoes, overalls, gloves, safety goggles, face mask and ear protectors.

What are weaning procedures?
Weaning procedures may include humane handling, separating weaners into viable lots, providing a clean, warm, dry and draught free environment, recognising and reporting common disease or symptoms of ill-thrift and treating disease as instructed. Procedures will also cover ensuring correct fresh and palatable feed and fresh water is accessible to all weaners.

What is covered in monitoring pig condition and health?
Pig condition and health is monitored by checking weight, signs of stress such as tail biting and ear chewing, feed consumed and general behaviour.

What health treatments might need to be followed for pigs?
Treating pig health may include administering antibiotic injections under veterinary supervision, administering nutrient drenches, using prescribed medication in water, using prescribed medication in feed, monitoring the compliance with established withholding periods.

What tools and equipment may be required when caring for weaners and growers?
Tools and equipment required may include drafting boards for the movement of stock, syringes and other equipment used for administering medications to animals on an individual or group basis.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in caring for weaner and grower pigs requires evidence that activities have been carried out according to instructions and within the required timelines. The skills and knowledge that are required to support this work must be transferable to different work environments. For example, this could include different housing and environmental conditions for raising pigs of different breeds.
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:

safe work practices
risks to newly weaned piglets
nutrition, water and environmental needs of young pigs
typical diseases affecting young pigs
animal welfare principles applying to intensive production
target growth rates of weaners and growers
repair and maintenance of structures.

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:

handle and move pigs safely
follow and maintain site quarantine procedures
monitor and adjust environmental controls
undertake work as directed
handle materials and equipment
clean up on completion of work.

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:

safe work practices
risks to newly weaned piglets
nutrition, water and environmental needs of young pigs
typical diseases affecting young pigs
animal welfare principles applying to intensive production
target growth rates of weaners and growers
repair and maintenance of structures.

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:

handle and move pigs safely
follow and maintain site quarantine procedures
monitor and adjust environmental controls
undertake work as directed
handle materials and equipment
clean up on completion of work.

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
Ideas and information about the job, tasks and problems should be discussed with other members in the work team and the supervisor, feed company representatives, and unit veterinarian. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
Ideas and information about the job, tasks and problems should be discussed with other members in the work team and the supervisor, feed company representatives, and unit veterinarian. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Workplace and supervisors instructions should be located, interpreted and applied with further clarification sought as necessary. Typical information gathered would include weight; feed used, deaths, and penning details. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Workplace and supervisors instructions should be located, interpreted and applied with further clarification sought as necessary. Typical information gathered would include weight; feed used, deaths, and penning details. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Discussions with the supervisor and other team members may be required in order to complete tasks efficiently in a logical sequence and in a timely manner. Typical activities to be planned would include pig movements, groupings, and monitoring. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Discussions with the supervisor and other team members may be required in order to complete tasks efficiently in a logical sequence and in a timely manner. Typical activities to be planned would include pig movements, groupings, and monitoring. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Good communication and co-operation with other staff in completing tasks and to achieve throughput targets. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Good communication and co-operation with other staff in completing tasks and to achieve throughput targets. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Skills in counting, tallying and estimation are required when handling feeds, tools and equipment and to calculate growth rates, mortality rates, and feed efficiency. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Skills in counting, tallying and estimation are required when handling feeds, tools and equipment and to calculate growth rates, mortality rates, and feed efficiency. (1)

Solving problems
Problems, for example, relating to reduced performance and variability in growth will require corrective action or consultation with the supervisor. (1)

Solving problems
Problems, for example, relating to reduced performance and variability in growth will require corrective action or consultation with the supervisor. (1)

Using technology
Technology may be applied in the use of tools and equipment and data recording systems. (1)

Using technology
Technology may be applied in the use of tools and equipment and data recording systems. (1)