ACMFAR304A - Respond to emergencies and apply essential first aid in the equine industries
Assessor Resource
ACMFAR304A Respond to emergencies and apply essential first aid in the equine industries
Assessment tool
Version 1.0 Issue Date: April 2024
This unit is applicable to those working in the equine industries where it may be necessary to recognise and respond to emergencies and to apply first aid to both humans and to horses.
In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the ACM10 Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised.
This unit of competency covers the processes of recognising and responding to emergencies and implementing a range of life support measures across a broad spectrum of situations/incidents.
This unit forms part of the requirements of the trade qualification for farriery.
You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Evidence Required
List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.
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.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competence 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. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
prepare for, evaluate and act in emergency situations
implement fire prevention and control on site and in the workshop
apply essential first aid techniques to humans and horses.
The skills and knowledge required to respond to emergencies and apply essential first aid in the equine industries must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in worksites, where routine farriery tasks are performed, or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.
There must be access to a range of emergency situation case studies and situations requiring first aid for analysis and response as well as first aid equipment and othermaterials and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.
Method of assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.
The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
case study analysis
third-party evidence
workplace documentation
portfolio.
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).
Submission Requirements
List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here
Assessment task 1: [title] Due date:
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Assessment Tasks
Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.
Required skills
adhere to OHS and animal welfare legislation, regulations and codes of practice
avoid/control escalation of emergency
catch, handle and restrain horses in a safe and humane manner
deal with contingencies
evaluate emergency, develop and implement a plan of action
maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and cross-infection
operate communication equipment as appropriate
provide first aid care to humans and horses
recognise and respond appropriately to a range of horse behaviours
literacy skills to read and follow organisation policies and procedures, including OHS and emergency procedures
oral communication skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice when required
problem-solving skills to anticipate horse behaviour and take appropriate action
use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment
use safe waste handling and disposal procedures
work as part of a team.
Required knowledge
common illnesses and injuries to horses
emergency network and local call procedures
enterprise plan and evacuation procedures
factors which might influence a range of horse behaviours
first aid procedures for humans and horses
OHS legislative requirements and codes of practice
organisation and legal policies and procedures to deal with an accident/incident
purpose of using different items of handling gear and appropriate personal protective equipment
safe work practices
vital signs and warning signs in horses.
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.
Emergency situations may include:
fire
fuel spillages
hazardous releases:
biological
chemical
gases
injuries to animals or humans
machinery or equipment failure
medical emergencies.
Workplace procedures may include:
activity-specific rescue techniques
administering of first aid
assistance to injured team member
clean up
containment
control of fire
emergency procedures in place in a horse establishment
evacuations
prevention of escalation of risk
retrieval of team member
search procedures:
search of likely routes followed
systematic search
voice or whistle contacts
use of isolating equipment.
OHS procedures may include:
safe work method statements covering:
emergency services and other contact numbers for people and horse emergencies
evacuation procedures for people and horses
exposure to noise, dust, skins and eye irritants
handling horses with due regard to their temperament, age and status
identifying and reporting potential safety hazards and identifying options for minimising risks
keeping tools and equipment in safe working order
using appropriate manual handling techniques
using personal protective equipment
working with a possible quarantine or biohazard risk
working with hazardous items (e.g. electricity, heat, gas and other flammables).
Personal protective equipment may include:
boots
breathing apparatus
firefighting protective clothing
gloves
helmets and hardhats
protective clothing
protective hose lines or sprays
safety eye washes
safety showers.
Industrial gases may include:
acetylene
anhydrous ammonia
carbon dioxide
compressed and liquefied fuel gases
nitrogen
oxygen.
Relevant people may include:
Animal Health Australia coordinators
Department of Agriculture staff
emergency services people
fire wardens
managers
OHS officers
police
race meeting or competition stewards
veterinarians and RSPCA inspectors
workplace first aiders.
Information required may include:
address
chemical hazards on site
contact phone numbers of property owner and manager
emergency equipment and location
number and type of animals
power fusebox or shut off point
property access points
type of emergency
water sources.
Emergency services may include:
Ambulance Service
Fire Brigade and non-metropolitan fire services
Land Management Authorities (e.g. National Parks and Forestry)
Police Search and Rescue
State Emergency Service.
Situational variables may include:
a change of plan may be required due to:
danger of explosion
disease outbreak
involvement of additional persons or horses
loss of communications
spread of fire or flood water
threat to adjoining areas.
Hazards may include:
biological
chemical
climate or weather
competition or pleasure riding/driving accident
electrical
electrical situations
explosive
fire, gas and fumes
loose horses
mechanical
nuclear
proximity of other people
psychological
security related
structural
thermal
vehicles and machinery
wildlife situations.
Injuries may include:
some injuries that occur around horses:
bites, kicks and crushes
burns
cuts, abrasions and wounds
motor vehicle or machinery accident
manual labour accident
body systems that may be affected include:
cardiovascular
metabolic
respiratory
skeletal and soft tissue.
People to whom illness and disease should be reported may include:
employer
horse owner or person responsible
veterinarian
Animal Health Australia staff
race or competition steward.
Indicators of abnormal system function and vital signs may include:
abnormal system function:
absence of sweat related to exercise
brown or red urine
change in eye colour
choking
coughing
diarrhorrea
elevated temperature, pulse or respiration
excessive drinking
excessive urination
favouring a leg
heat
inappetence
lameness
nasal discharge
no faeces produced
pawing at the ground
reluctance to move
rolling
slow skin rebound
sudden stopping during exercise followed by reluctance to move or muscle stiffness
sweating unrelated to exercise or weather conditions
swelling
vital signs include:
temperature
pulse
respiration
skin rebound
mucous membrane colour.
First aid policy and procedures may include:
enterprise policy and procedures will identify persons qualified to provide first aid
contact details for veterinary clinic, farrier and others who should be advised
people identified who can provide first aid
process for reporting incidents and symptoms that may require first aid
evacuation and emergency plans:
quarantine and biosecurity procedures
reporting procedures
roles to be played by relevant personnel in an emergency.
Regulations may include:
prevention of cruelty to animals
animal welfare
OHS
quarantine and animal health.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.
Observation Checklist
Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice
Yes
No
Comments/feedback
Appropriate actions are taken to maximise safety and minimise health hazards in the workplace.
Options for action in case of emergency situations are identified and evaluated.
Organisational emergency procedures and policies are implemented as part of workplace procedures.
Occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures and safe work practices are applied to the selection of personal protective equipment to suit the emergency situation.
Regular checks of the workplace are carried out to minimise potential hazards.
Emergency procedures are carried out as required by established workplace procedures.
Selected safety equipment and aids required for emergencies are stored and maintained in good order.
Near misses and potential hazards are reported to supervisor and/or documented according to enterprise guidelines.
Fire hazards in the workplace are minimised as specified, along with any hazardous fuelling procedures.
Appropriate fire extinguishers and firefighting equipment must be used in fire situations, and appropriate authorities notified according to established procedures.
Evacuation procedures and nominated assembly points are followed according to enterprise plans and policy.
Specific safety procedures for the handling and use of industrial gases are carried out in line with standard industry practice and regulations.
Emergency and potential emergency situations are recognised and assessed promptly.
Advice from relevant people is sought in evaluating the emergency.
The possible development of the emergency is assessed and evaluated, along with assessment of further potential hazards to staff, clients or animals.
Emergency needs are prioritised promptly and accurately, including needs for assistance.
The plan of action is implemented using techniques appropriate to the situation, available resources and abilities.
Equipment is operated safely, and where necessary, improvising equipment and techniques.
Strategies for group control are established and implemented, including removal of personnel, clients, animals and others from danger.
The condition of all staff, animals and others is monitored on a constant basis.
Information required to assist emergency services is acquired and documented.
Emergency services are notified as necessary.
The plan of action is changed to accommodate changes in situational variables.
Casualty evacuation methods are demonstrated as relevant to the context.
Organisation procedures and policies are implemented correctly in the event of a major injury or death.
Immediate risk to self and casualty's health and safety is minimised by isolating the hazard.
The casualty's injuries and vital signs are assessed.
The casualty is reassured in a caring and calm manner and made comfortable using available resources.
First aid is provided in accordance with established first aid procedures.
First aid assistance is sought from others as appropriate.
Signs of common illnesses or diseases of horses are recognised and reported.
Indicators of abnormal system function and vital signs of horses are recognised and reported.
Horses are calmed and restrained prior to first aid assessment.
First aid policy and procedures are followed, with respect to obligations of owners, regulations and duty of care.
Principles of first aid procedures relating to injury or accident are applied.
A policy and system of referral of injury treatment and emergency care is followed and contributed to.
Forms
Assessment Cover Sheet
ACMFAR304A - Respond to emergencies and apply essential first aid in the equine industries
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Assessment Record Sheet
ACMFAR304A - Respond to emergencies and apply essential first aid in the equine industries
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Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent
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