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 performing the duties of a stipendiary steward during race meetings and trials

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of stipendiary steward trial and race day duties

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 race meeting and trial 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 perform the race meeting and trial duties of a stipendiary steward

race meetings and trials, 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, for example:

RGRCMN401A Maintain and monitor OHS procedures and 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).

Required skills

allocating duties to staff based on a range of operational requirements, staff experience, level of responsibility and complexity of job task

adhering to safe handling and work practices when working around greyhounds or horses

communicating with other stewards, racing officials, licensed and registered personnel and others using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to steward duties

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

complying with organisational policies and procedures

computer skills, including:

data entry and retrieval

email and internet

spreadsheets

word processing

enforcing the rules of racing

identifying different items of industry-approved greyhound and horse race gear and assessing their condition in terms of safe use and need for repair

identifying individual animals by industry signalment and documents

identifying signs of ill health, injury or pain in racing animals

managing race day incidents and emergencies

monitoring and maintaining OHS and environmental work procedures

providing clear and concise reports on race performance in verbal and written formats

reading and controlling races

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

using initiative, discretion and judgements to solve racing issues and problems

using video and DVD recording and re-play devices and other equipment and technology for racing operations duties

working within the boundaries set by regulatory bodies, other regulations and the racing industry

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge

avenues and procedures for personnel to access grief counselling

communication procedures for communicating with other stewards and officials, including reporting lines within the workplace and wider racing industry

ethical conduct standards of relevant racing principal authority

greyhound or racehorse identification features

hazards and potential hazards in the workplace and risk control procedures

industry terminology related to steward duties, racing operations and wider racing industry

OHS and environmental legislative responsibilities

organisational policies and procedures

principles of administrative law and natural justice when applied to racing investigations, protests, inquiries and appeals

principles of effective communication

procedures for hearing protests, conducting inquiries and gathering evidence

procedures for operation and maintenance of required equipment and technology

processes and methods used to read races

purpose of gear and reasons for identifying and reporting problems with condition, fit and safety

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

reasons racing animals may not perform as expected

relevant rules of racing

reporting requirements for irregularities and problems

roles and activities of licensed and non-licensed racing industry personnel

symptoms of and ways of checking for common signs of injury, ill health or distress in racing animals

track ratings and conditions.

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 perform the duties of a stipendiary steward at race meetings and trials. Workplaces include greyhound, harness and thoroughbred racecourses, training tracks and administration buildings.

Stewards oversee the conduct of all racing-related activities within the responsibilities and powers described under the rules of racing. The conditions under which this unit is delivered and assessed must take into consideration these powers and responsibilities. These powers and responsibilities are further described in the rules of racing for the relevant racing code. It is strongly recommended that training facilitators and learners refer to these powers and responsibilities as part of the range of conditions for all units covered in the steward specialist area of the Training Package.

Methods used to evaluate race form may include:

form guide

software for speed map preparation and form interpretation

stewards' reports

video re-plays.

Club officials and track staff may include:

clerk of course

race club operations manager

race club secretary

race starter

track maintenance manager

track maintenance staff.

Liaising on track conditions, race club facilities and racing procedures will include:

confirming starting equipment is operational

confirming swabbing staff are in attendance and appropriate security for samples is provided

conveying accurate information on track condition and rating to:

drivers

jockeys

owners

punters

trainers

ensuring emergency and first aid equipment and facilities are available for humans and animals

ensuring phone access is available for contacting TAB and media to advise of race results, late scratchings and protests.

Duties allocated to staff at race meetings and trials will include:

allocating stewards to observation positions around track

arranging for swab samples to be sent to laboratory for analysis

carrying out or supervising pre-race identification

calling greyhounds or horses to parade or marshalling area

calling greyhounds to stir-up area and to starting boxes

calling horses to starting stalls

calling jockeys to mount up

checking starting positions of each race

checking track conditions

checking updated eligibility list against current suspension list

conducting post-race protests

inspecting bandages and other gear

liaising with trainers, drivers and jockeys if there are problems with engaged drivers or riders

participating in post-meeting inquiries or appeals

selecting animals for pre-race swabbing and supervising the procedure

sending field to the start.

Racing safety related to track condition may include:

debris left on track

moisture content

rail position and condition

turf, dirt or synthetic surface maintenance.

Animal welfare issues may include:

epistaxis

exhaustion

injuries

lameness

overheating.

OHS issues identification and resolution 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

applying correct manual handling techniques, including:

carrying

shifting

lifting

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

fences and equipment

lure, wind and noise

other persons or animals

vehicles

eliminating hazardous substances and materials

ensuring accident and emergency equipment is available and in good working order, including:

fire safety equipment

first aid equipment for humans and animals

safety signage

ensuring trial and race meeting specific health and safety procedures for the protection of others, including:

all gear used on greyhounds or horses is approved and of good quality

drivers or jockeys are in a fit state to compete

required equipment and vehicles are well maintained and in operational order, including:

barriers

lures

mobile start vehicles

starting boxes

tractors

personal protective equipment conforms to required standards

track is in a fit and proper state for safe and competitive racing

following safe operating procedures

identifying hazards and applying risk control measures

reporting unsafe work practices

understanding accident and injury procedures.

Assistance following critical race incidents may include:

advising persons involved or immediate witnesses of ways to access counselling

identifying emergency or accident, and responding in accordance with race club procedures

working within safe operating procedures.

Evidence may include:

copies of betting sheets and fluctuations

inquiry transcripts

stewards' reports

swab materials

videos.