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 starting harness races

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of race starting operations

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 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:

a variety of harness horses

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to start harness races

safe handling and approved race starting and associated 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.

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:

RGRCMN001A Comply with the rules of racing and related protocols.

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

communicating with race meeting staff, stewards, licensed and registered personnel and others using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to harness racing starts

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

complying with animal welfare legislation

evaluating risks associated with race meeting starts and race day operations

giving evidence in racing inquiries and investigations

identifying individual horses using industry approved terminology, records and signalment

identifying injured or distressed horses that require assistance

making effective decisions and resolving routine problems within the bounds of the duties and responsibilities of a race meeting starter

operating starting equipment

overseeing safe handling and work practices when dealing with horses

reading and interpreting racing documents relating to race distances, race fields, track conditions, horse identification and performance records

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including rules of racing and starting procedures

recognising damaged or defective gear

relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

reporting incidents to stewards in a timely manner

resolving disputes according to harness racing protocols and procedures

teamwork skills to ensure completion of job tasks

working in a high pressure environment

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge

approved gear

common features of injury, illness and distress in horses

communication procedures within race meeting and wider racing industry

equipment used in work role and the procedures for its operation and maintenance

horse handling and controlling techniques

OHS and environmental legislative requirements

organisational policies and procedures

positive and effective communication strategies used to work with a team, deal with conflicts and resolve disputes

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

range of behaviour traits exhibited by horses

relevant rules of racing

reporting requirements for irregularities and problems.

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.

Past problems with particular horses may include:

horse:

attempts to burrow

charges forward

pulls sideways

rears

is reluctant to move forward.

Operation of mobile and other start equipment check will include:

arms or wings of mobile start

battery

communication system between starter and driver

damage

fuel

height of arms

lights

oil

power steering fluid

transmission fluid

tyre pressure

water.

Rules of racing in relation to race starts may include:

ahead of advertised start time

barrier positions for unruly horses

defer or delay start

horse denied fair start

horse unfit

non-starter

order of placing at barrier

starter's orders

starter's powers.

Hazards associated with start of the race may include:

broken start equipment

disruption at barrier

gear breakage

injury to staff, driver or horse

non-compliance of drivers.

OHS and racing safe operating procedures 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 horses, such as:

fences and equipment

other persons or animals

vehicles

wind and noise

contributing to development of risk control measures

following safe work practices, including:

ensuring mobile start vehicle keeps a suitable distance from horses that may be warming up on the track

ensuring driver stops or moves out of the way if there is a problem with a horse

ensuring horses are not near track entrance as vehicle enters

following accident and injury procedures

identifying and reporting unsafe work practices

identifying race start hazards

identifying emergency situations

understanding individual horse behaviour

wearing approved personal protective equipment.

Instructions relayed to mobile driver and other staff may include:

adjusting gear

beginning to move off

holding horses

walking horses.

Horses are identified by:

brands

colours

drivers

gender

markings.

Approved gear may include:

alterable corrective equipment, such as:

hopple shorteners

overchecks

pull-up blinds

removable hoods

bits

bridles

driving boots

helmet

hopples

reins

sulkies

vests.

Reports are provided to stewards:

maintaining confidentiality and discretion

promptly, courteously and efficiently

using correct forms of greeting

via verbal and/or written communication, including:

describing actions

giving and receiving clear, accurate and simple messages

listening to and interpreting information and instructions

written reports may include simple documents and notes.