National Occupational Certificate: Meat Examiner

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Meat Examiner.

A Meat Examiner examines red meat carcasses and organs for meat safety and conformance with regulatory provisions and provisionally approves such for human and animal consumption in accordance with the relevant Meat Safety Act and its Regulations as promulgated by the Government of the Republic of South Africa.

Typical learning outcomes for a Meat Examiner includes but are not limited to attention to detail, problem sensitivity, deductive reasoning, and attention to personal and abattoir hygiene.

A qualified learner will be able to

• Apply basic principles, processes, operations, and record-keeping within the abattoir industry.
• Conduct primary meat inspection techniques of carcasses and organs and determine the suitability of carcasses and organs for human and animal consumption.
• Evaluate the handling and dispatch of chilled carcasses.
• Evaluate correct handling techniques of condemned material.

Rationale

The red meat industry requires well-trained examiners to ensure compliance with standards and the consumer's safety. Consumers expect compliance with standards for animal welfare and humane ante-mortem treatment of animals in the abattoir. The main purpose of meat examination is to identify and prevent public health hazards such as foodborne pathogens or possible chemical contaminants or residues in meat. Meat examination also plays an integral part in the overall monitoring system of certain animal diseases and verifying compliance with animal welfare standards. This is an important control point for early identification of problems that may impact public health, animal health, and welfare.

Abattoirs function under stringent regulatory and statutory prescripts, which significantly impact the processes and procedures in red meat abattoirs and how meat examiners conduct their day-to-day activities. These competencies can give domestic and international markets confidence in meat products.

The abattoir industry is responsible for managing and controlling the preparation of meat products for the consumer market. This task requires the utmost care and attention as people's lives depend on correctly handling food products. It is important to keep the micro-organism count in abattoirs as low as possible and avoid contamination of meat and other edible products during slaughter.

The typical target group of learners includes employees who want to progress in the abattoir industry or new entrants. This qualification provides learners with the opportunity to qualify themselves as meat examiners in the red meat industry and includes opportunities for learner's career development in the red meat industry, e.g., Meat Inspector, Abattoir Foreman, or Abattoir Manager. It is aimed at formalising the skills required to facilitate career-pathing and provide access to new entrants. The qualification provides learners access to advanced learning in specialised areas within the red meat industry. It also gives learners the necessary background knowledge and skills to be portable within other Industries.

This qualification is a pre-requisite to function as a Meat Examiner in the South African context. Successful learners are designated by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) in compliance with the prescripts of the Meat Safety Act for them to be able to function as Meat Examiners. Associations and stakeholders consulted include, among others, key role players the Red Meat Abattoir Association (RMAA), the South African Meat Industry (SAMIC), the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), and Meat Inspection Assignees in terms of the Meat Safety Act and Regulations.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL for Access to Training/Exemption

Learners may use the RPL process to gain access to training opportunities for a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme if they do not meet the formal minimum entry requirements for admission. RPL assessment provides an alternative access route into a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme. Such an RPL assessment may be developed, moderated, and conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider, which offers that specific qualification/part qualification/skills programme. Such an assessment must ensure the learner can display the equivalent competencies required for access based on the NQF level descriptors.

RPL for Credits.

For exemption from modules through RPL, learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme through any means of formal, informal, or non-formal learning and/or work experience may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded.

RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) or Final Integrated Supervised Assessment (FISA)

Learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience may be awarded credits towards relevant modules and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. A valid Statement of Results is required for admission to the EISA in which confirmation of achievement is provided that all internal assessment criteria for all modules in the related curriculum document have been achieved. For a Skills Programme, the accredited Skills Development Provider (SDP) must ensure all modular competency requirements are met before the FISA and keep a record of such evidence. After successfully completing the EISA/FISA, RPL learners will be issued the QCTO certificate for the qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme. Quality Partners are responsible for ensuring the RPL mechanism and process for qualifications and part qualification are approved by the QCTO.

Entry Requirements

An NQF Level 3 qualification.

This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules

Knowledge Modules

• 681506-002-00-KM-01: Microbiology, Meat Safety and Quality, Level 4, 4 Credits.
• 681506-002-00-KM-02: Personal Hygiene, Sanitation and Continuous Cleaning, Level 4, 2 Credits.
• 681506-002-00-KM-03: Handling of Waste and Condemned Material and Pest Control, Level 4, 1 Credit.
• 681506-002-00-KM-04: Red Meat Abattoir Layout and Requirements, Level 4, 1 Credit.
• 681506-002-00-KM-05: Abattoir Process Flow and General Processes, Level 4, 2 Credits.
• 681506-002-00-KM-06: Anatomy and Physiology of Slaughter Stock, Level 4, 4 Credits.
• 681506-002-00-KM-07: Pathology, Level 4, 5 Credits.
• 681506-002-00-KM-08: Diseases and Conditions, Level 4, 4 Credits.
• 681506-002-00-KM-09: Meat Inspection; Level 4, 3 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 26

Practical Skill Modules

• 681506-002-00-PM-01: Assess Work Area and Equipment for Compliance with Regulations, Level 4,

2 Credits.

• 681506-002-00-PM-02: Practical Meat Inspection of Beef, Level 4, 9 Credits.
• 681506-002-00-PM-03: Practical Meat Inspection of Small Stock, Level 4, 9 Credits.
• 681506-002-00-PM-04: Practical Meat Inspection of Pork, NQF Level 4, 9 Credits
• 681506-002-00-PM-05: Observe Correct Handling and Dispatch of Chilled Carcasses, Level 4, 1 Credit.
• 681506-002-00-PM-06: Observe Correct Handling Procedures of Condemned Material, Level 4, 1 Credit.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 31

Work Experience Modules

• 681506-002-00-WM-01: Legislative Compliant Inspection Procedures, Level 4, 2 Credits.
• 681506-002-00-WM-02: Beef Carcass and Offal Inspection Process, Level 4, 19 Credits.
• 681506-002-00-WM-03: Small Stock Carcasses and Offal Inspection Process, Level 4, 19 Credits.
• 681506-002-00-WM-04: Pork Carcass and Offal Inspection Process, Level 4, 19 Credits.
• 681506-002-00-WM-05: Temperature Controlled Environments in an Abattoir, Level 4, 2 Credits.
• 681506-002-00-WM-06: Effective and Safe Disposal of Condemned Material, Level 4, 2 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 63

1. Apply basic meat safety principles, abattoir processes, operations, and record-keeping within the industry.
2. Conduct primary meat inspection techniques of slaughtered carcasses and organs and determine the suitability of carcasses and organs for human and animal consumption.
3. Evaluate handling and dispatch of chilled carcasses according to abattoir standards.
4. Evaluate correct handling procedures of condemned material.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

ELO 1: Apply basic meat safety principles, abattoir processes, operations, and record-keeping within the industry.

• Explain and apply principles of safety and sanitary factors in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Identify and explain pathologies, diseases, and conditions which impact meat safety and quality.
• Promptly identify, record and report work conditions that present risks to meat safety and quality.
• Adhere to occupational health, safety, and environmental regulations always to ensure compliant procedures and work conditions.
• Identify and explain consequences of not adhering to principles, processes, and operations.
• Recall and describe basic principles of work ethics.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

ELO 2: Conduct primary meat inspection techniques of slaughtered carcasses and organs and determine the suitability of carcasses and organs for human and animal consumption.

• Handle carcasses and other meat products during an inspection, to ensure maximum yield.
• Conduct sensory evaluation of carcasses and offal according to statutory requirements and apply hygiene and safety procedures.
• Perform palpation and incisions to evaluate carcasses and organs according to statutory requirements.
• Apply hygiene and meat safety procedures, conform to statutory requirements, and identify and explain consequences of not adhering to legal and procedural requirements regarding primary inspection techniques.
• Explain and apply procedures for handling equipment correctly and according to safety requirements.
• Determine suitability of carcasses and offal for human and animal consumption based on the findings during the inspection.
• Mark Carcasses according to judgment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

ELO 3: Evaluate handling and dispatch of chilled carcasses according to abattoir standards.

• Prescribe procedures that are apply and prescribe conditions that are maintained during the handling and dispatching of chilled carcasses and other meat products.
• Apply and explain procedures and policies for handling chilled carcasses correctly and according to work site procedures, safety regulations, and statutory requirements.
• Explain the difference between core and surface temperature according to scientific principles.
• Observe equipment and facilities for chilling carcasses according to the manufacturers and statutory specifications.
• Record measurements of meat products and environment, considering the difference between core and surface temperature.
• Explain and identify consequences of not dispatching chilled carcasses according to policies and procedures.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

ELO 4: Evaluate correct handling procedures of condemned material.

• Explain and apply procedures for handling condemned material correctly and according to meat safety and health, safety, and environment requirements.
• Identify and explain consequences of not adhering to procedural requirements for the correct handling of condemned material.
• Identify, record, and report any deviations from statutory requirements and operational procedures.
• Apply sanitation and sterilisation procedures to prevent contamination.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Formative Assessments Conducted Internally

Formative assessments are conducted throughout the training of learners. A range of formal, non-formal, and informal ongoing assessment activities focus on teaching and learning outcomes to improve learner attainment. Formative assessments are conducted continuously by the facilitator to feed into further learning, identify strengths and weaknesses, and ensure the learner's ability to apply knowledge, skills, and workplace experience gained. Formative Assessments are conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider (SDP). Various ongoing assessment methods, such as quizzes, assignments, tests, scenarios, role play, and interviews, may be used. Continuous feedback must be provided.

Integrated Summative Assessments

Conducted Internally Integrated Assessment involves all the tasks required for a particular qualification, part-qualification, or occupational skills programme, such as written assessment of theory and practical demonstration of competence. The Internal Assessment Criteria (IAC) for all modules, as found in the QCTO curriculum document, must be followed to achieve this. An accredited SDP should implement a well-designed, formal, relevant, final internal Summative Assessment strategy for all modules to prepare learners for the EISA. These assessments evaluate learning achievements relating to the achievement of each module of the relevant components of the qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme.

Internal Summative Assessments are developed, moderated, and conducted by the SDP at the end of each module or after integrating relevant modules, e.g. applied knowledge tests, workplace tasks, practical demonstrations, simulated tasks/demonstrations, projects, case studies, etc. The results of these final formal summative assessments must be recorded. These results, which include the Statement of Work Experience results, where applicable, contribute to the Statement of Results (SoR) requirement for admission to the EISA. Using the template provided by the Quality Partner, an SoR is issued by the accredited SDP for qualifications and part-qualifications. The SDP must produce a valid Statement of Results for each learner, indicating the result and the date on which the competence in each module, of each component, was achieved. Learners are to produce this SoR, together with their ID document or alternative ID document, at the point of the EISA.