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 the specific industry sector and 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 supervising trackwork operations

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of trackwork supervision duties

working with others to undertake and complete supervisory procedures that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time in a range of workplace-relevant contexts and include dealings with an appropriate range of situations.

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:

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to supervise trackwork operations

relevant racing code trackwork sites, 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).

Required skills

assessing race club and industry requirements associated with trackwork and training operations, including safety, security, licensing, and staff and animal welfare

communicating with stewards, race club and licensed and registered personnel, and others using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to trackwork operations

completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame

complying with organisational policies and procedures

evaluating advantages or disadvantages of a variety of potential solutions to resolve problems

identifying industry-approved gear and illegal devices

identifying irregularities with greyhounds or horses that may indicate injury, distress or illness

identifying potential hazards and evaluating risks associated with trackwork activities

making effective decisions

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including rules of racing

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 and illegal devices

ethical conduct standards of relevant racing principal authority

industry terminology related to racing and trackwork operations

OHS and environmental legislative requirements

organisational policies and procedures

principles of effective communication

protocols and procedures for communicating with licensed and registered personnel, racing officials and other relevant people

racing industry animal welfare requirements

reporting requirements for trackwork irregularities and problems

rules relating to common welfare principles of racing animals, race club security, track conditions and associated documentation

rules relating to licensed personnel, permit holders and others authorised to undertake trackwork activities

relevant rules of racing.

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.

Track inspected for safety compliance may include:

access to other tracks restricted via barriers, signs or gates

alarms operational

effective lighting

foreign objects, litter or other hazards or people

loose greyhounds

loose or bolting horses

personnel working on tracks

placement of plastic cones, markers or witches hats

rail placement and repair

relocation of irrigators

sprinklers turned off or watering truck removed

stray or feral animals

track notices displaying direction of track use and pace allowed on various tracks

track surface following maintenance

track surface following heavy rain.

Paperwork for registering track use will include:

date of use

fee status

name of track supervisor

name of trainer of greyhound or horse

number of greyhounds or horses per trainer or handler

type of track to be accessed.

Safe operating procedures for driver, rider or attendant may 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

adhering to rules of racing and rules of the race venue

considering variables that influence behaviour of greyhounds or horses, such as:

fences and equipment

lure, wind and noise

other persons or animals

vehicles

driving or riding in an industry-recognised manner

driving or riding horses purposefully to and from the track

following track rules, such as:

obeying light signals at gap

driving or riding in single file at crossings

ensuring horses working slow move to outside of track

driving or riding at correct pace on designated tracks

driving or riding in proper direction as directed by signage and gap attendant

observing track entrance and exit rules

stirrup irons at approved length

using personal protective equipment

using safe gear and saddlery.

Personal protective equipment may include:

approved helmet

approved vests

gloves

goggles

smooth soled riding boots

work boots.

Gear compliance will cover:

Australian and local rules of racing-approved gear list for relevant racing code

illegal devices, including:

jiggers

unapproved heart rate monitors or other battery operated or electrical devices.

Animal care and welfare requirements will include:

careless driving or riding practices that may cause injury or distress to horses

identifying and reporting bleeders to stewards

incidents that may cause injury to other greyhounds or horses

reporting accidents or near misses

visible signs of neglect, distress or injury in animals being worked.

Traffic is controlled by:

number of greyhounds or horses on any track at one time

number of greyhounds or horses that may enter or exit a track at one time

pedestrian traffic.

Potential problems are managed by:

identifying hazards

controlling risks

eliminating hazardous materials and substances

following safe operating procedures

reporting unsafe operating procedures

using correct manual handling techniques, including:

carrying

lifting

shifting

using personal protective equipment.

Damage or wear and tear to track and surrounds may include:

breakdown of track alarm

cutting up of grass tracks requiring divots replacement

damage to running rails

depressions in woodchips, sand or cinders tracks

lighting failure

heavy rain causing wash away

shifting woodchips, sand or cinders.

Reports on track use will include:

accidents to drivers, riders, handlers or others

injuries to greyhounds or horses

near miss incidents

reports of bleeders

track use by trainers to club accounts.