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

What actions could be taken to eliminate or minimise OHS risk?
The range of actions are both systemic and at an operational level. These are listed below.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
Boots, hat/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sun screen).

What equipment is used in the cleaning and fumigation of intensive production sheds?
Mechanised brooms, manual brooms, high-pressure cleaners, lawn mowers, hand tools, and sanitisers.

Why must equipment be raised or removed?
Equipment must be located to ensure ease of cleaning, and to ensure spray or fall off from equipment being cleaned does not cross contaminate already cleaned equipment.

What will determine whether or not equipment is dismantled?
This depends on whether equipment can be easily moved or cleaned in situ.

What areas inside and outside the sheds are cleaned and checked?
Rafters, fan cowls, insides, outsides, bases, tops of blinds and flaps, electrical boards, shed aprons, and shed work rooms.

What determines the hygiene standard in place in the production shed?
The level of hygiene required is dependent on the class of livestock being housed. It will require that the shed and fittings be scrubbed, washed and disinfected using steam or pressure cleaning equipment.

How might the flushing of lines be carried out?
Flushing tanks and lines is often done with an approved anti-algal sanitiser included, and treated water may be allowed to stand in lines prior to flushing. Flushing can dislodge algae and particles that can block valves in drinkers and cause flooding. Flushing also requires checking inline filters for efficiency of operation.

What are the key results required of sanitisers?
Detergents must remove surface gross materials and dust, and sanitisers work efficiently on cleaned surfaces where there is little soiling or faecal residue remaining.

What kinds of fumigants might be used?
They might be gases, vapours or fine misting sprays and can include a gaseous phase and liquid applications through aerosol. When handling and working with fumigants the operator should be mindful that they can be carcinogenic, and an irritant to the respiratory tract. They may also choke operators if inhaled in concentrated forms. Fumigants require strict operating procedures.

When and why might fumigation of the shed need to occur?
Fumigation may be done after clean out or after equipment is set up. Fumigants may be used to increase efficacy of sanitisers in sheds.

How might information be documented?
Record keeping systems used may be either paper-based or digital, and information will be recorded into logbooks or other records.

What actions could be taken to eliminate or minimise OHS risk?
The range of actions are both systemic and at an operational level. These are listed below.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
Boots, hat/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sun screen).

What equipment is used in the cleaning and fumigation of intensive production sheds?
Mechanised brooms, manual brooms, high-pressure cleaners, lawn mowers, hand tools, and sanitisers.

Why must equipment be raised or removed?
Equipment must be located to ensure ease of cleaning, and to ensure spray or fall off from equipment being cleaned does not cross contaminate already cleaned equipment.

What will determine whether or not equipment is dismantled?
This depends on whether equipment can be easily moved or cleaned in situ.

What areas inside and outside the sheds are cleaned and checked?
Rafters, fan cowls, insides, outsides, bases, tops of blinds and flaps, electrical boards, shed aprons, and shed work rooms.

What determines the hygiene standard in place in the production shed?
The level of hygiene required is dependent on the class of livestock being housed. It will require that the shed and fittings be scrubbed, washed and disinfected using steam or pressure cleaning equipment.

How might the flushing of lines be carried out?
Flushing tanks and lines is often done with an approved anti-algal sanitiser included, and treated water may be allowed to stand in lines prior to flushing. Flushing can dislodge algae and particles that can block valves in drinkers and cause flooding. Flushing also requires checking inline filters for efficiency of operation.

What are the key results required of sanitisers?
Detergents must remove surface gross materials and dust, and sanitisers work efficiently on cleaned surfaces where there is little soiling or faecal residue remaining.

What kinds of fumigants might be used?
They might be gases, vapours or fine misting sprays and can include a gaseous phase and liquid applications through aerosol. When handling and working with fumigants the operator should be mindful that they can be carcinogenic, and an irritant to the respiratory tract. They may also choke operators if inhaled in concentrated forms. Fumigants require strict operating procedures.

When and why might fumigation of the shed need to occur?
Fumigation may be done after clean out or after equipment is set up. Fumigants may be used to increase efficacy of sanitisers in sheds.

How might information be documented?
Record keeping systems used may be either paper-based or digital, and information will be recorded into logbooks or other records.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in the cleaning and fumigation of intense production sheds requires evidence that minimum contamination remains from previous flock/herd, all surfaces inside and outside the shed are treated so that they are visually clean, and sanitisers are applied to cleaned surfaces.
The skills and knowledge required to clean and fumigate intensive production sheds must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, across a range of production shed types containing a variety of equipment set-ups and uses.
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:

types of sheds and production systems
relevant OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice
chemical spillage management and safety equipment and clothing.

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:

operate high pressure washing equipment
read and interpret cost sheets, production information, target statistics, quantities of feed and other inputs, job performance audits, and MSDS
prepare and present production and other information in a manner that is readily accessible for both management and operators
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards
make shed environment safe to accidental entry of personnel until environment is safe.

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:

types of sheds and production systems
relevant OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice
chemical spillage management and safety equipment and clothing.

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:

operate high pressure washing equipment
read and interpret cost sheets, production information, target statistics, quantities of feed and other inputs, job performance audits, and MSDS
prepare and present production and other information in a manner that is readily accessible for both management and operators
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards
make shed environment safe to accidental entry of personnel until environment is safe.

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
To ascertain the specific requirements of the operation and the need for fumigation. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
To ascertain the specific requirements of the operation and the need for fumigation. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
While gathering data to complete records such as MSDS sheets. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
While gathering data to complete records such as MSDS sheets. (1)

Planning and organising activities
In undertaking the preparation activities for both cleaning and fumigation. (1)

Planning and organising activities
In undertaking the preparation activities for both cleaning and fumigation. (1)

Working with others and in teams
In ensuring safe work practice and to minimise risk. (2)

Working with others and in teams
In ensuring safe work practice and to minimise risk. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In measuring and mixing the required volumes and quantities of detergents and other chemicals. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In measuring and mixing the required volumes and quantities of detergents and other chemicals. (2)

Solving problems
In ensuring that any hazards that present are dealt with effectively and promptly. (2)

Solving problems
In ensuring that any hazards that present are dealt with effectively and promptly. (2)

Using technology
By operating the range of equipment used in cleaning and washing the shed. (1)

Using technology
By operating the range of equipment used in cleaning and washing the shed. (1)