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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Slaughter birds in a poultry abattoir 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119400  Slaughter birds in a poultry abattoir 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Secondary Agriculture: Processing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Secondary Agriculture 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 
Describe the stunning, throat slitting and bleeding process. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Abattoir Hygiene Level 3
  • Personal Hygiene Level 3
  • Health and Safety Level 3
  • Slaughtering Level 2 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Show an understanding of the reasons why stunning is conducted. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The reasons for stunning are listed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Calms bird, causes unconsciousness, stabilises blood pressure, minimises movement, facilitates bleeding.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The process of stunning is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The signs of incorrect stunning are recognised. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Wing position.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The results of poor stunning are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Not successful, Excessive flapping, haemorrhaging of thighs, wings and legs, insufficient bleeding.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The signs of overstunning are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    High voltage.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the stunning of birds on the processing line. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The transference of birds into the slaughtering area is described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Slaughtering area, dim lights, stunning, contact time, saline solution.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The stunning period and process is explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Lights dimmed, maximum time between hanging and stunning elapses - 1 minute, contact time as per company procedure.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The requirements of the stunning bath are detailed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The correct clamping of the head and the stunning duration is described. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the throat slitting of the bird. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The throat slitting procedure is described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Jugular veins, base of the skull, spinal cord and trachea, animal welfare, slitting machine.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The reasons for slitting the throat according to the animal welfare and company procedures are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Breathing, heart pumping, better bleeding.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The reason for monitoring the throat slitting machine is outlined. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Clamps do not crush the bones in the neck, vertebrae and skull.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The maintenance, cleanliness and sterilisation of the cutting edge on knives is described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Sharp edge, clean and sterilize frequently.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an understand of the correct manner for bleeding a carcass. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The need for the bleeding duration is explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Bleeding, respiration, death, as per company SOP.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The signs and remedial action of insufficient bleeding are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Lacerations on wings, red wing tips occur, rehang before defeathering.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    1. Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
    2. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA.
    3. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures.

    The assessment of qualifying learners against this standard should meet the requirements of established principles. Practical assessment activities will be used, which are appropriate to the contents in which qualifying learners are working. These activities will include an appropriate combination of self and peer assessment, practical and oral assessments, observations etc.

    The assessment should ensure that all the specific outcomes, critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge be assessed. The specific outcomes must be assessed in its own right, through oral and practical evidence. It cannot be assessed by observation only.

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

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Embedded knowledge is reflected in the Assessment Criteria for each Specific Outcome. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    1. Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
    2. Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities.
    3. Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
    4. Exploring education and career opportunities.
    5. Developing entrepreneurial opportunities. 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving: Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been mad.

    Specific Outcome:
  • Show an understanding of the reasons why stunning is conducted.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the stunning of birds on the processing line.
  • Demonstrate an understand of the correct manner for bleeding a carcass. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Teamwork: Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization or community

    Specific Outcome:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the stunning of birds on the processing line.
  • Describe the throat slitting of the bird. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self organization and management: Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively

    Specific Outcome:
  • Describe the throat slitting of the bird. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Information evaluation: Collect, analyze, organise and critically evaluate information.

    Specific Outcome: All 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication: Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation.

    Specific Outcome: Embedded. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Science and Technology: Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

    Specific Outcome:
  • Show an understanding of the reasons why stunning is conducted.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the stunning of birds on the processing line.
  • Describe the throat slitting of the bird. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Inter-relatedness of systems: Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation

    Specific Outcome:
  • Show an understanding of the reasons why stunning is conducted.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the stunning of birds on the processing line.
  • Describe the throat slitting of the bird. 
    		•

    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  49579   National Certificate: Poultry Processing  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.
     
    NONE 


    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.