Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to identify approved and non-approved gear and equipment used on racing animals. It requires the ability to check the comfort and safety of gear, identify greyhound or horse behaviour traits, apply common handling techniques and follow workplace OHS standards.

This unit of competency operates in workplace environments of racing administration, kennels, stables, 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 racing industry personnel required to assess racing gear suitability and safety as part of their job role.

Competencies attained in this unit apply to the greyhound, 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 

Ensure gear is racing compliant.

1. Approved racing gear and equipment are identified.

2. Non-approved racing gear and equipment are identified.

3. Non-approved or illegal gear is reported and removed.

Check fit and safety of racing gear.

4. Racing gear fit is checked to ensure comfort and safety  to greyhound or horse.

5. Potential wear points on racing gear or equipment are inspected.

6. Stitching, bonding and attachment points are inspected for wear.

7. Bandages and boots are inspected for suitable fit and secure closing.

Make emergency adjustments to gear.

8. Safe handling techniques  are employed to restrain greyhound or horse during gear adjustments.

9. Gear is adjusted or replaced to ensure safe racing and handling.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• adhering to safe handling and work practices when dealing with greyhounds or horses
• communicating with stewards, racing officials, and licensed and registered personnel using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to gear suitability and safety
• completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame
• complying with animal welfare legislation
• following OHS and environmental work procedures
• identifying and correctly applying different items of approved gear
• making effective decisions and resolving routine problems within the bounds of own duties and responsibilities
• providing clear and concise reports on gear suitability and safety in verbal and written formats
• reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including rules of racing
• recognising non-approved, damaged or defective gear
• relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities
• teamwork skills to ensure completion of job tasks
• written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge 

• approved gear
• communication procedures, including reporting lines within the workplace and wider racing industry
• greyhound and horse handling and controlling techniques
• OHS and environmental legislative requirements
• organisational policies and procedures
• racing industry animal welfare requirements
• racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures
• range of behaviour traits exhibited by greyhounds and horses
• relevant rules of racing
• reporting requirements for irregularities and problems.

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 assessing gear suitability and safety
• implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient assessment of racing gear suitability and safety
• 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 racing operations relevant contexts, and include dealings with an appropriate range of situations using a variety of racing greyhounds or horses.

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 variety of greyhounds, and harness or thoroughbred horses
• materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to assess racing gear suitability and safety
• safe handling areas, such as racetracks, race meetings and related facilities
• 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, at least one of whom should be approved by the State Principal Racing Authority.

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 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 assess racing gear suitability and safety. Workplaces include greyhound, harness and thoroughbred racecourses, training tracks and administration buildings.

Approved racing gear and equipment  may include:

• gear or equipment that is approved by regulatory racing body to be worn by greyhounds or horses during trials and races
• gear or equipment that is approved by regulatory racing body to be worn by drivers, riders or handlers, including:

• boots
• colours
• gloves
• goggles
• helmets
• vests
• whips.

Non -approved racing gear and equipment  may include:

• gear or equipment that is considered by stewards to be unsafe, unsuitable or ineffective and which contravenes the rules of racing.

Considerations of fit check for racing gear comfort and safety  will include:

• frayed reins
• impaired action
• incorrectly adjusted blinkers and pacifiers
• loose shoes
• loose straps
• loose bandages
• reins with buckles
• rubbed hair or skin
• slipped saddles.

Safe handling techniques  will include:

• 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
• applying safe controlling and restraining techniques
• assessing greyhound or horse level of education and behaviour prior to handling
• considering variables that influence behaviour of greyhounds or horses, such as:

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

• identifying good behaviour traits and bad behaviour traits and vices
• seeking assistance from other workers when required.

Unit Sector 

Greyhound, harness and thoroughbred racing codes

Co-requisite units 

Functional Area 

Racing common