Control a carcass electrical stimulation system
Overview
This standard is about the skills and knowledge needed for you to control a meat carcass electrical stimulation system in food operations. Electrical stimulation of carcasses may help increase tenderness in the beef or lamb final product.
You will need to be able to prepare to control and control a meat carcass electrical stunning system, adhere to regulatory and organisational standards and safely control a carcass electrical stimulation system. You must also know how to address problems and be able to apply your skills and knowledge within food safety and health and safety regulations and any relevant international industry codes. You should also have an understanding of how the green circular economy supports repeated use of resources and products within your organisation.
This standard is for you if you work in food operations and are involved in controlling a carcass electrical stimulation system.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- prepare to operate an electrical stimulation system according to organisational requirements and standards
- wear and use personal protective equipment according to regulatory standards and organisational requirements
- check availability of electrical stimulation equipment
- check equipment is in working order
- check animals are being stunned and bled and are available for electrical stimulation
- check carcass is shackled to allow safe electrical stimulation
- use equipment to electrically stimulate carcasses adhering to organisational standard operating procedures
- maintain rate of electrical stimulation to ensure organisational rate of production is maintained
- make carcass available to next stage in production process
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the organisational and regulatory requirements and procedures that must be adhered to when controlling an electrical stimulation system
- the specific health and safety standards to be adhered to when using electrical stimulation equipment
- the personal protective equipment required when controlling an electrical stimulation system
- why animal carcasses are electrically stimulated
- the key features of an electrical stimulation system
- the key controls of an electrical stimulation system
- how to access organisational specifications
- why it is important to adhere to organisational standard operating procedures and specifications
- how to check the electrical stimulation system is operating according to organisational requirements and electrical stimulation has taken place
- how the positioning of the electrode on the carcass length, spinal cord or intra muscle can alter the effectiveness of the electrical stimulation
- why the hanging position of the carcass can alter the effectiveness of electrical stimulation
- voltages used in the electrical stimulation of beef and lamb
- the limits of your own authority and competence and why it is important to work within those limits
- what recording, reporting and communication is needed, how to carry this out and the reasons why it is important to do so