Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to work safely and sustainably in industry sectors that use horses. It covers knowledge of potential risks when working with and around horses and following industry guidelines and procedures to ensure the welfare and safety of the individual and the horse.

This unit applies to individuals who have no experience, limited experience or no recent experience working with horses. They undertake defined routine activities under supervision with limited responsibility for their own work. Working environments may include stables, paddocks, yards, tracks, exercise arenas and public areas used by various industry sectors that use horses.

No licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, except for the racing industry, where licensing or registration varies between states and territories. Users working in the racing industry are advised to contact the relevant Principal Racing Authority for advice on current requirements.

Health and safety and animal welfare legislation relevant to interacting with horses applies to workers in this industry. As requirements vary between industry sectors and state/territory jurisdictions, users must check with the relevant authority for specific requirements.

NOTE: The terms 'occupational health and safety' (OHS) and 'work health and safety' (WHS) generally have the same meaning in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the national model WHS legislation has not been implemented, RTOs must contextualise the unit of competency by referring to current OHS legislative requirements.

Pre-requisite Unit

The prerequisite unit of competency for this unit is:

• ACMEQU205 Apply knowledge of horse behaviour.

Unit Sector

Equine (EQU)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Unit Mapping Information

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria of this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has worked in a horse industry environment around at least three quiet, consistent and obedient horses. Under supervision, the individual must demonstrate each of the following points on at least three occasions:

• following work health and safety (WHS) procedures in the context of own work, and including:

• carrying out basic hazard and risk assessment and control
• using personal protective equipment (PPE)
• using safe manual handling techniques
• reporting WHS hazards and issues

• using ethical and humane animal welfare practices in the context of own work
• selecting equipment, tools and gear appropriate to the work task
• selecting, applying and/or administering chemicals and medications according to work requirements
• following workplace biosecurity practices in the context of own work
• communicating effectively with supervisor using industry terminology, including raising issues of concern
• accurately completing required workplace records and documentation.

Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

• basic animal welfare principles and responsibilities in the context of own work
• basic WHS responsibilities for a limited range of horse industry occupations
• basic workplace WHS procedures, including emergency procedures
• horse industry biosecurity responsibilities and practices in context of own work
• sources of information to develop own knowledge of the horse industry
• industry terminology to describe horses and horse-related work
• job and occupation pathways in the horse industry
• opportunities to improve efficiencies and reduce environmental hazards in the context of own work
• selection of equipment, tools and gear for a range of tasks
• safety of chemicals and medications in the context of own work
• hazards and risks in the horse industry and accepted procedures for controlling the risks
• manual handling solutions for common activities in the horse industry.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• a workplace or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions

• resources, equipment and materials:

• various calm, consistent and obedient horses educated for relevant activity and assessed as suitable for the skill and experience level of the individual
• tools and equipment for tasks
• appropriate tack for horse and activity
• PPE correctly fitted and appropriate for activities for the individual

• specifications:

• work instructions

• relationships:

• access to supervisor.

Training and assessment strategies must show evidence of the use of guidance provided in the Companion Volume: User Guide: Safety in Equine Training.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103