SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Apply blade-shearing skills and prepare blade-shearing equipment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116273  Apply blade-shearing skills and prepare blade-shearing equipment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Primary Agriculture 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Primary Agriculture 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
A person achieving this unit standard will be able to prepare blade-shearing equipment to maximise comfort, safety and productivity. Furthermore, the person will be able to shear an animal in such a way that it maximises the quality and quantity of the produce. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
No learning is assumed to be in place. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
The person will be able to apply this skill in ONE of the following contexts:
  • Merino.
  • Cross breads.
  • White wools.
  • Caracul.
  • Mohair.

    Range statements are neither comprehensive nor necessarily appropriate to all contexts. Alternatives must however be comparable in scope and complexity. These are only as a general guide to scope and complexity of what is required. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Set up and maintain hand-shears and stoning equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The hand-shears are prepared and maintained in order to function efficiently and effectively with maximum comfort to the shearer and safety to the animal. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Preparation includes but is not limited to blades, cutting edge, grip and tips.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Equipment is stored safely. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Safe storage includes but is not limited to cleanliness, safety, protection and excluding moisture.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Stoning equipment is prepared in order to function efficiently and effectively. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Preparation includes but is not limited to cleaning and dressing of stoning surfaces, lubrication, and storage.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Apply general safety measures and deal with emergencies in the shearing shed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Correct gripping and carrying techniques are applied. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Gripping and carrying techniques as applicable to blade-shears and stoning equipment.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Protective clothing is used. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Protective clothing includes but is not limited to glasses.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Conditions of shearing shed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Conditions includes but is not limited to ventilation, shearing space and power cables.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Emergencies are responded to immediately and appropriately. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Emergencies include but are not limited to human, animal and equipment.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Prepare the shearing area. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Shearing area is cleaned and shearing equipment is appropriately placed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Good hygiene is taken into consideration to prevent contamination and infections. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Catch, handle and hold sheep for searing purposes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Correct handling and moving of animal techniques are applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The animal is correctly positioned to ensure maximum comfort to animal and shearer, and safe shearing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Handling and holding techniques are adapted for lambs, pregnant ewes and rams. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Shear sheep by applying correct blade-shearing techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The correct process is applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The correct techniques are applied. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Correct techniques refer to but are not limited to the use of top/bottom blade.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Animal is shorn according to the correct pattern. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Skin is kept tight to avoid cuts (skin). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Second cuts (wool) are avoided. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Apply basic health and fitness measures/principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Correct posture is applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Physical preparation of shearer (exercising and warming up stretching). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Fluid intake. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Warm clothing when resting. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The assessment of qualifying learners against this standard should meet the requirements of established assessment principles.

    It will be necessary to develop assessment activities and tools, which are appropriate to the contexts in which the qualifying learners are working. These activities and tools may include an appropriate combination of self-assessment and peer assessment, formative and summative assessment, portfolios and observations etc.

    The assessment should ensure that all the specific outcomes, critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge are assessed.

    The specific outcomes must be assessed through observation of performance. Supporting evidence should be used to prove competence of specific outcomes only when they are not clearly seen in the actual performance.

    Essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in its own right, through oral or written evidence and cannot be assessed only by being observed.

    The specific outcomes and essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in relation to each other. If a qualifying learner is able to explain the essential embedded knowledge but is unable to perform the specific outcomes, they should not be assessed as competent. Similarly, if a qualifying learner is able to perform the specific outcomes but is unable to explain or justify their performance in terms of the essential embedded knowledge, then thy should not be assessed as competent.

    Evidence of the specified critical cross-field outcomes should be found both in performance and in the essential embedded knowledge.

    Performance of specific outcomes must actively affirm target groups of qualifying learners, not unfairly discriminate against them. Qualifying learners should be able to justify their performance in terms of these values.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The qualifying learner is able to demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of:
  • Condition of animals.
  • Properties of wool.
  • Density of wool.
  • Tools and equipment.
  • Layout and conditions of the shearing shed.
  • Adaptability to conditions.
  • Shearing process.
  • Shearing pattern.
  • Basic anatomy (Large arteries and nerves, muscles, etc.)
  • Health and safety requirements (animal, human and environment).
  • OHS act.
  • Potential hazards.
  • Condition of equipment in relation to competitiveness.
  • Stoning equipment.
  • Hygiene and contamination.

    Skills:
  • Interpersonal.
  • Communication.

    Techniques:
  • Stoning.
  • Shearing.
  • Preparing the blade-shears.
  • Posture.
  • Holding the animal.
  • Catching the animal.
  • Positioning the animal. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Teamwork relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-organisation and management relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Information evaluation relates to specific outcomes:
  • Set up and maintain hand-shears and grinding equipment.
  • Shear sheep by applying correct blade-shearing techniques. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Inter-relatedness of systems relates to specific outcomes:
  • Prepare the shearing area.
  • Catch, handle and hold sheep for searing purposes.
  • Shear sheep by applying correct blade-shearing techniques.
  • Apply basic health and fitness measures/principles. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  49048   National Certificate: Animal Production  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    2. Boikgantsho Consulting & Events 
    3. Cedara College of Agriculture 
    4. Dynasty Sheep Shearer Development (Pty) Ltd 
    5. Fantique Trade 664 Cc 
    6. Heedmorine Training 
    7. Maishamalema Development Training 
    8. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    9. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    10. Morwa Agri-development cc 
    11. Mvelo Consultant 
    12. National Woolgrowers Of South Africa 
    13. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    14. Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    15. Setlakala Business Development 
    16. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    17. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    18. Tripple R Training Provider 
    19. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 
    20. Westco Agri Training 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.