RGRPSG206A Perform duties of greyhound catcher

Release: 1

RGRPSG206A Perform duties of greyhound catcher

Modification History

Not Applicable

Unit Descriptor

Unit descriptor	This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to prepare for, safely catch and control an individual greyhound after a race or trial, and includes post-race reporting of incidents or observations. To undertake this unit the candidate will be able to apply safe greyhound handling skills and follow workplace OHS standards. It is recommended that RGRPSG201A Handle greyhounds be delivered in conjunction with or before this unit of competency. 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

Application of the unit	This unit of competency supports greyhound attendants, kennel hands, trainers and others in the greyhound racing industry authorised to perform the duties of a greyhound catcher. This unit can be contextualised for other industries while also maintaining the integrity of the unit.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Refer to Unit Descriptor

Pre-Requisites

Prerequisite units

Employability Skills Information

Employability skills	This unit contains employability skills.

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

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.

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Prepare to catch greyhounds.	1. Rules of racing , protocols and procedures related to catching pen operation are followed. 2. Pre-race catching preparations are followed. 3. Potential hazards in catching area are identified and strategies are used to minimise risk of injury. 4. Race is observed from catchers' designated area and issues that may affect catching procedures are identified.
Catch and control greyhounds post-race.	5. Greyhound is collected and restrained following catching pen supervisor or steward instructions. 6. Race incidents or observations are reported to greyhound's trainer or handler.

Required Skills and Knowledge

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, including ensuring the safety of others catching, leading and controlling greyhounds communicating with stewards, racing officials, supervisor, co-workers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to greyhound catcher duties completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame evaluating risks associated with catching greyhounds following directions identifying and correctly fitting gear identifying individual greyhounds performing pre and post-race catching pen procedures 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 using reporting protocols.
Required knowledge
basic industry terminology related to greyhound racing procedures characteristics of healthy greyhounds communication procedures during race day operations and within wider racing industry effective working relationships, including teamwork post-race care and welfare requirements of racing greyhounds purpose of using appropriate personal protective equipment racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures race day and trial catching pen procedures relevant rules of racing.

Evidence Guide

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 performing catching duties at race meetings and trials implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient performance of greyhound catcher duties working with others to undertake and complete catching 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. 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 materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to perform the duties of a greyhound catcher safe handling and catching pen areas, such as training 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. 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

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 perform the duties of a greyhound catcher. Workplaces include greyhound kennels and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Rules of racing, protocols and procedures may include:	Australian and local rules of racing relating to race meeting procedures adhering to responsibilities under OHS legislation and workplace practices adhering to state, territory or federal legislation related to animal welfare adhering to personal presentation standards following instructions from racing officials, including: stewards catching pen supervisors.
Pre-race catching preparations may include:	arriving at catching pen prior to start of each race collecting collar and lead or approved catching slip lead knowing runner's number and race rug colours observing race from catchers' designated area presenting catcher's pass or identification to official if required.
Potential hazards in catching area may include:	getting hit by greyhounds running into pen greyhounds attacking other greyhounds greyhounds not entering catching area and running back down track making physical contact with other greyhound catchers.
Issues in race or trial run may include:	greyhound falls or injuries greyhounds fighting lure malfunction runners coming in late to catching pen.
Collected and restrained may include:	avoiding contact with other catchers or greyhounds capturing greyhound as quickly as possible controlling greyhound until trainer or handler arrives entering catching pen only when supervisor or steward gives permission securing greyhound with collar and lead as quickly as possible.
Incidents or observations may include:	attacks from other dogs greyhound falling in catching pen greyhound being hit by other dogs while pulling up muzzle caught in teeth obvious limping torn or loose race rug.

Unit Sector(s)

Unit Sector	Greyhound racing code

Co-requisite units

Co-requisite units

Functional Area

Functional Area	Racing performance services