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.

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

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.

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).

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

This unit contains employability skills.