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.

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

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.

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).

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

This unit contains employability skills.