Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to safely attend race meetings and/or greyhound or horse events held at racecourses. It requires an understanding of regulatory standards related to the rules of racing and racing events industry practices and protocols. The unit covers competencies related to the identification of greyhound and/or horse behaviour and safe methods of moving around animals, as well as knowledge of industry-specific OHS requirements and personal presentation standards.

This unit of competency operates in work environments of racing kennels and stables, racecourses and public areas.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency supports media representatives, race club committee members, owners, race club staff and others required to comply with safe operating procedures, racing protocols and identification of animal behaviour in a variety of situations related to racing events.

Competencies attained in this unit apply to the greyhound or harness or thoroughbred code of the industry. Consequently when performance criteria are applied they will relate to the greyhound code or the harness code or the thoroughbred code, and statements of attainment for this unit will reflect this distinction.

This unit can be contextualised for other industries while also maintaining the integrity of the unit.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Research greyhound or horse behaviour.

1. Factors affecting greyhound or horse behaviour  are described.

2. Signs of distress , excitement or nervousness in greyhounds or horses are identified.

3. Safety zones and danger areas  around greyhounds or horses are defined.

4. Safe methods of approaching or moving around greyhounds or horses are demonstrated.

Observe racing protocols.

5. Dress standards  and behaviour protocols in mounting yard, marshalling area and presentation area are complied with.

6. Directions of stewards and racing officials are complied with.

Comply with racing safe operating procedures.

7. OHS obligations  are defined and met.

8. Racing safe work methods  relating to operating near greyhounds or horses are described and implemented.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• adhering to safety procedures when approaching and moving around animals
• communicating with stewards, racing officials, and licensed and registered personnel using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to the conduct and operation of racing events
• following directions from racing officials
• identifying safe animal handling practices
• identifying safe work practices
• interpreting and complying with workplace protocols
• relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities
• reviewing and accurately identifying work requirements
• using appropriate language and interpersonal techniques.

Required knowledge 

• dress code and behavioural protocol requirements as determined by industry and workplace
• greyhound or horse behaviour traits
• OHS obligations
• own roles, responsibilities and relationships with other industry personnel
• race day procedures
• relevant industry rules and regulations, including rules of racing
• safe operating procedures
• workplace communication channels, protocols and procedures.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

• knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that are to apply when attending racing events
• demonstration of ability to approach and move around animals in a safe manner
• implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of required actions and behaviour covering safety of self, others and animals
• working with others to undertake and complete the required procedures that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time in a range of race meeting relevant contexts and include dealings with an appropriate range of situations.

Context of , and specific resources for assessment 

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.

Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.

The following resources must be available:

• a range of educated greyhounds and harness or thoroughbred horses for practical experience
• industry supervised access to racecourses to view training activities and to racing events to view marshalling yard or enclosure operations
• materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to attend race meetings and comply with protocols and safety procedures
• work instructions and related documentation.

Method of assessment 

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.

The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:

• written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
• observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks.

Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Factors that affect greyhound or horse behaviour  may include:

• senses:

• eyesight
• hearing
• smell
• sixth sense
• taste
• touch

• environment:

• animal location, including kennels or stalls
• marshalling area or enclosure
• presentation area
• crowds
• enclosed spaces, including:

• barrier
• boxes

• inclement weather conditions, including:

• extreme heat
• wind

• loud noises
• other greyhounds or horses
• pre or post-race activity.

Signs of distress  , excitement or nervousness in greyhounds or horses  may include:

• agitated and sweaty
• attempts to bite
• charges forward
• kicks
• pulls back
• pulls sideways
• rears
• reluctant to move forward
• turns in circles.

Safety zones and danger areas  around greyhounds or horses may include:

• blind spots at fore and rear of horse
• head and hindquarters
• location to other animals
• near shoulder.

Considerations when determining safe methods of approaching or moving around greyhounds or horses  may include:

• assessing behaviour prior to approaching or moving around
• identifying good behaviour traits and bad behaviour traits and vices
• knowledge of behavioural problems
• knowledge of restraining techniques employed by handler
• level of education and experience of the greyhound or horse, related to behaviour.

Dress standards  in mounting yard, marshalling area or presentation area may include:

• industry dress codes
• personal grooming requirements
• personal presentation in the public eye
• racing rules regarding dress codes
• similar to standards at race meetings, for example members' area requirements.

OHS obligations  may include:

• awareness of state or territory and federal OHS legislation and relevant state or territory authority's approved codes of practice and standards
• identifying hazards
• controlling and minimising risks
• safely using and operating equipment, including recording devices and cameras
• familiarity with industry-applicable safe operating procedures
• safety procedures for the protection of self and others
• knowledge of accident and injury procedures.

Safe work methods  for approaching or moving around greyhounds or horses may include:

• applying safe work practices in crowded areas
• knowledge of greyhound or horse behaviour amongst other animals
• knowledge of safe work practices, including:

• use of anti-rearing bit or bridle headpiece with bit, with double clip lead used when horses are lead at racecourses, training tracks and in public places
• considering variables that influence behaviour of animal, such as:

• fences and equipment
• other persons or animals
• vehicles
• wind and noise

• handler is positioned next to other handler when leading or passing greyhounds or horses in the opposite direction (person to person)
• handler maintains two greyhound or horse lengths between greyhounds or horses
• one greyhound or horse to each handler
• using personal protective equipment
• walking animals in single file
• well-maintained and safe gear

• understanding individual animal behaviour.

Unit Sector 

Greyhound, harness and thoroughbred racing codes

Co-requisite units 

Functional Area 

Racing common