Maintain the health and welfare of animals during transportation
Overview
This standard covers maintaining the health and welfare of animals during transportation. NB It does not cover the driving of transport vehicles. It is essential that during the transportation of animals, steps are taken to monitor the health and general well-being of the animals. Monitoring will include checking and responding to any signs in the animals of stress, ill-health or injury. The behaviour, appearance and bodily functions of the animals will provide an indication of their well-being. When transporting animals you should be trained and hold current certification, where required. When carrying out your work you must consider the impact it will have on the environment. This standard is suitable for those who maintain the health and welfare of animals during transportation.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
assess the risks associated with the activity to be carried out
wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
maintain the health and welfare of the animals at optimal levels
throughout the journey, in accordance with relevant legislation
- monitor the health and welfare of the animals at the required
times during transportation to identify any causes for concern
- recognise changes in animal health and welfare that might signify
stress, ill-health or injury, and take the required action
- make sure that the journey does not exceed the maximum
allowed journey times/distances in accordance with relevant
legislation
- maintain the transport environment in a manner and at a level
appropriate to the animals concerned
- maintain the safety and security of the animals at all times during
transportation
- maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in,
or affected by, your work
- maintain hygiene and bio-security in accordance with business
practices
- carry out your work in accordance with relevant environmental
and health and safety legislation, animal health and welfare
legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and
business policies
- complete records as required by relevant legislation and the
business
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
how to identify hazards and assess risks
- the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
suitable for the activity
- when to monitor the health and welfare of the animals being
transported, in accordance with relevant legislation and the
method of transportation being used
- how the appearance, body functions and behaviour of the animals
provides an indication of their health and welfare
the factors that cause stress to the animals
how to assess the significance of signs of stress, ill-health or
injury, in order to determine the actions to be taken and their
urgency
- how to maintain the health and welfare of the animals being
transported by the provision of feed, water or breaks from
travelling
- the methods of maintaining the transportation environment for the
animals being transported, and the levels to which it needs to be
maintained
- the circumstances in which animals can be left and how safety
and security can be maintained
- the problems that could occur when transporting animals and the
actions that should be taken
- the importance of maintaining communication with those involved
in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done
- the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security during
transportation and the methods for achieving this
- your responsibilities for the welfare of animals under relevant
animal health and welfare legislation, animal transport legislation,
codes of practice and business policies
- the legal requirements for training and certification when
transporting animals
- your responsibilities under relevant environmental and health and
safety legislation, codes of practice and business policies
- the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing
them
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Legal requirements for training and certification:
Transporting animals over 65km and up to eight hours:
• Drivers and attendants responsible for the transport of cattle,
sheep, pigs, goats, domestic Equidae or poultry must hold a valid
certificate of competence.
Transporting animals over eight hours:
• Anyone transporting cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, domestic Equidae
or poultry over 65km must be competent to do so. Drivers and
attendants must hold a valid certificate of competence.
Drivers must also hold the relevant licence to drive the vehicle,
including a trailer, where used.