Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to identify, safely catch, control and lead greyhounds for the purposes of training and racing.

It is recommended that RGRCMN201A Follow OHS procedures and observe environmental work practices is completed and assessed before or in conjunction with this unit of competency.

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

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Check with your State Principal Racing Authority for current license or registration requirements.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency supports personnel, stewards, swab attendants, race meeting kennel attendants and others in the greyhound racing industry who may be required to handle greyhounds as part of their job function.

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 

Identify greyhounds.

1. Features  used to identify greyhounds are evaluated.

2. Greyhounds are identified using industry standards  .

Safely approach, catch and lead greyhounds.

3. Greyhound behaviour and level of education  are identified and considered prior to handling.

4. Risks  associated with catching greyhounds are evaluated.

5. Safe and effective catching techniques are used to secure greyhounds.

6. Catching and leading gear  is fitted correctly to the greyhound.

7. Safe and effective leading techniques are demonstrated.

Control greyhounds in training and competition environments.

8. Risks associated with handling greyhounds in public areas  are evaluated.

9. Safe leading , lifting and holding techniques  are used to control greyhounds at trials and race meetings.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with greyhounds
• catching, leading and controlling a range of greyhounds in a variety of environments
• communicating with employer, supervisor, co-workers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to greyhound handling activities
• completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame
• evaluating risks associated with catching and handling greyhounds
• identifying and correctly using different items of handling gear
• identifying features of greyhounds using industry standards
• identifying greyhound behaviour, social traits and vices
• reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including relevant rules of racing
• relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• basic industry terminology related to handling greyhounds
• basic understanding of applicable federal, state or territory legislation and regulations, and national standards and codes of practice relevant to the full range of processes relating to own work role and responsibilities
• communication procedures, including reporting lines within kennel and wider racing industry
• common greyhound behaviour, social traits and vices
• purpose of using different items of handling gear and appropriate personal protective equipment
• racing industry animal welfare requirements
• racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures
• relevant rules of racing
• relevant road safety rules
• reporting requirements in relation to handling greyhounds safely
• senses, communication traits and behaviour patterns of greyhounds.

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 identifying and handling greyhounds
• implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient catching, leading and controlling of greyhounds
• working with others to undertake and complete greyhound handling procedures that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of greyhounds of different ages, sexes and temperaments, and at different stages of preparation in racing kennel and track environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources or simulated environment approved by the relevant State Principal Racing Authority. 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 variety of greyhounds that are currently racing
• materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to identify and handle greyhounds
• safe handling areas, such as commercial kennels and racetracks
• 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
• simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Racing Authority approved simulated environment.

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, for example:

• RGRCMN201A Follow OHS procedures and observe environmental work practices.

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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to handle greyhounds. Workplaces include greyhound kennels and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Features  of a greyhound include:

• colour
• ear brands
• markings
• points of the greyhound
• sex.

Industry standards  may include:

• colour variations and specific markings as outlined in the controlling body's registration and marking-up guidelines.

Greyhound behaviour and level of education  involves:

• assessment of behaviour made prior to handling
• communication methods, including:

• body signals
• verbal

• identifying normal and abnormal behaviour traits, including social behaviour and vices
• identifying characteristics of relaxed, alert and distressed greyhounds
• relating behaviour to level of education and experience of greyhound
• understanding senses of a greyhound, including:

• eyesight
• hearing
• smell
• taste
• touch.

Risks  associated with catching greyhounds may include:

• bites
• gear breakage
• greyhound injury
• loose greyhound
• personal injury:

• contracting diseases from greyhound
• being knocked over by a loose or excited greyhound.

Controlling risks  associated with catching and controlling greyhounds includes:

• adhering to responsibilities under OHS legislation and workplace practices
• adhering to responsibilities under national and state codes of practice; federal, state and territory legislation; and local government regulations covering animal welfare
• adhering to rules of training tracks and public venues
• complying with relevant road safety rules
• considering variables that influence behaviour of greyhounds, such as:

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

• contributing to development of risk control measures
• following safe operating procedures
• holding greyhounds for veterinary and other treatments
• identifying and reporting unsafe work practices
• identifying emergency situations
• practising walking greyhounds in confined environments
• reporting defective gear, including:

• broken or exposed wire in muzzles
• broken stitching
• tears or cracks in leather
• broken or loose rivets

• understanding individual greyhound behaviour
• using gear or equipment approved by the regulatory racing body
• wearing approved personal protective equipment.

Gear  for safely handling greyhounds will include:

• collar and slips
• leads
• muzzles.

Public areas  may include:

• bridges and roads
• kennels
• paddocks or parks
• racecourses
• training tracks.

Safe leading , lifting and holding techniques  to control greyhounds may include:

• being aware of surroundings and possible causes of distraction
• encouraging nervous greyhounds using voice, body language and patting
• ensuring collar fits and is tight enough
• maintaining appropriate lead tension and length on lead
• never leading more than the approved number of greyhounds at the same time
• preventing greyhound from getting too far ahead of handler by checking animal to ensure it stays by the handler's side
• using own voice and body language to assert control or reassure the greyhound
• using leads of suitable length
• using safe lifting skills to avoid greyhound and personal injury
• using well-maintained and safe gear.

Unit Sector 

Greyhound racing code

Co-requisite units 

Functional Area 

Racing performance services