Prepare and finish cuts from lamb carcasses

URN: IMPMP182
Business Sectors (Suites): Meat and Poultry Processing
Developed by: Improve
Approved on: 2025

Overview

This standard is about the skills and knowledge you need to break down complete lamb carcasses into smaller, specific cuts and preparations.
 
This highlights the importance of making choices regarding the quality meat being cut and ensuring that care is taken to reduce damage to the meat.
 
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 preparing a range of different lamb-based products.


Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. prepare to cut lamb carcasses according to organisational requirements and standards
  2. wear and use personal protective equipment according to regulatory standards and organisational requirements
  3. check the availability and cleanliness of work area, tools and equipment
  4. check that lamb carcass is secure and ready for cutting
  5. source product specification for joints and products to be produced
  6. agree plans for production with relevant personnel
  7. follow organisational specification for the range of cuts required
  8. check meat adheres to visual quality specification
  9. take action if the lamb does not meet quality specification
  10. cut meat according to product requirements
  11. trim and/or tie products according to specification
  12. maintain quality of meat when handling
  13. identify and act upon opportunities to recover and utilise waste
  14. comply with health and safety, food safety and organisational requirements
  15. present the completed product to the relevant personnel for approval
  16. store waste for disposal according to organisational requirements
  17. review the quality and quantity of product against specification
  18. report on the volume of product produced
  19. store the completed product according to organisational requirements

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. how to access organisational requirements and procedures
  2. the organisational and regulatory procedures that must be adhered to when cutting meat and poultry
  3. the personal protective equipment required when cutting meat and poultry
  4. how to recognise the key cuts made from lamb
  5. what the commonly used terms are for describing cuts of meat and poultry
  6. what the quality control points are in regards to the common cuts produced
  7. the tools and equipment needed to cut primary cuts into smaller retail cuts, including the range of saws, knives and cleavers that may be used
  8. what the primary food safety risks are when working with raw meat
  9. how food safety can be maintained when working with raw meat
  10. why it is important to have clean personal protective equipment, work area, tools and equipment when cutting
  11. how to access the organisational specifications for the retail cuts required
  12. the appropriate packing, wrapping and storage for the cuts produced, why it is important to adhere to the specific meat product specification
  13. the importance of keeping waste to a minimum when producing meat cuts, its effect on yield and potential loss of revenue
  14. how to check meat product yield against product specification
  15. why it is important to check for yield when producing meat products
  16. the importance of carrying out quality checks against organisational specifications
  17. the different types of waste occurring as a result of producing meat cuts
  18. how waste products should be stored for disposal according to organisational and legal and regulatory requirements
  19. the limits of your own authority and competence and why it is important to work within those limits
  20. what recording, reporting and communication is needed, how to carry this out and the reasons why it is important to do so

Scope/range


Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary


Links To Other NOS


External Links


Version Number

1

Indicative Review Date

2028

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Improve

Original URN

IMPMP182

Relevant Occupations

Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Manufacturing Technologies, Plant and Machine Operatives, Process Operatives

SOC Code

8111

Keywords

Meat, lamb carcass, revenue, food, chops, loin, crown, rack