Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to operate the lure during greyhound race meetings and trials. It requires an ability to observe and respond to greyhound behaviour during and after a race by controlling the speed and distance of the race field from the lure. Performing pre and post-operation checks on lure equipment and adhering to safe operating procedures are essential, as the operation of the lure represents a high risk of injury to greyhounds and personnel.

This unit of competency operates in work environments of racing kennels, 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 race club staff or others who are authorised to operate the greyhound lure during race meetings and trials.

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 

Prepare for race meeting.

1. Race fields and distance are verified prior to commencement of race meeting.

2. Rules of racing  , protocols and procedures  relating to operation of lure are identified.

3. Pre-start check of lure equipment  and power source is carried out.

4. Lure is checked for safe and accurate operation prior to commencement of race meeting.

5. Hazards in operation of lure  are identified and techniques used to minimise the risk of injury are employed.

Operate lure.

6. Lure is operated  according to stewards' directions.

7. Lure is operated during stir-up in accordance with the rules of racing and safe operating procedures.

8. Lure is operated during races and trials in accordance with the rules of racing and safe operating procedures.

9. Lure is stopped at the end of a race within a safe and appropriate distance of catching pen  .

Shut down lure operations.

10. Lure equipment and power source are checked for damage or maintenance requirements after last race or trial.

11. Race club is notified of maintenance or service requirements for lure and power supply.

12. Power supply is shut off and lure equipment is packed and stored.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• Applying safety handling and work practises when catching, leading and controlling greyhounds
• Communicating with race meeting staff, stewards, racing participants and others using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to lure operations
• Completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame
• Evaluating risks associated with lure operations
• Giving evidence in racing inquiries and investigations
• Making effective decisions and resolving routine problems within the bounds of duties and responsibilities
• Making judgements on necessity to stop lure during a race
• Operating lure equipment in accordance with safe operating and race day procedures
• Reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including rules of racing
• Relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities
• Reporting incidents to stewards in a timely manner
• Reporting problems with lure operation to stewards, racing officials and/or race club staff in a timely manner
• Responding promptly to emergencies or potential hazards by controlling lure speed and distance or shutting down equipment
• Written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge 

• communication procedures within race day operations and wider racing industry
• environmental protection requirements, including noise and emission control
• equipment used in work role and the procedures for its operation, shut down maintenance and emergency stop
• general OHS requirements, including operating machinery and working in a confined space
• greyhound behaviour relating to chasing prey or lure and racing with others
• principles of racing industry animal welfare requirements and guidelines for animals used in competition
• race distances and individual track characteristics
• racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures
• race day and trial lure operation procedures
• rules of racing in relation to conduct of races or trials, operation of lures and greyhound welfare
• time management for the completion of work tasks
• written and verbal report formats and protocols for reporting issues to stewards or racing officials.

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 driving a lure at race meetings or trials
• implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of lure driving operations
• 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 workplace-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:

• materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to perform lure driver duties
• safe handling and lure operation facilities, such as training and racetracks and a variety of greyhound fields
• 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.

Rules of racing  , protocols and procedures  related to lure operation may include:

• Australian and local rules of racing
• adhering to responsibilities under OHS legislation and workplace practices
• adhering to state, territory or federal legislation related to animal welfare
• following instructions from race day stewards and other officials
• following safe operating procedures.

Lure equipment  may include:

• lure, such as artificial hare or rabbit
• lure arm
• lure engine, drive wheels and pulley system
• power supply:

• diesel
• mains power

• operating panel
• safety cut-off switch.

Hazards in operation of lure  may include:

• chemicals and hazardous substances
• confined space
• fumes and emissions
• greyhounds
• lure and lure cables or wiring
• machinery and equipment
• noise
• other people, including:

• contractors
• employees
• visitors

• physical environment
• unsafe work practices.

Lure is operated  by:

• conducting pre-start safety and operations check
• controlling distance of lure from race field so as not to impede or otherwise disrupt running of the race
• performing emergency stop of lure due to incident or potential contact of lure with people or greyhounds
• running lure during stir-up
• stopping lure post-race after drawing greyhounds into catching pen area.

Safe and appropriate distance of catching pen  will include:

• considering actual distance according to the behaviour of individual race fields
• stopping lure at a sufficient distance to prevent greyhounds doubling back down the track once the lure has stopped.

Unit Sector 

Greyhound racing code

Co-requisite units 

Functional Area 

Racing performance services