Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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 effectively prepare track and facilities for race meetings. Workplaces include greyhound, harness and thoroughbred racecourses, training tracks, administration buildings and public areas.
Race meeting requirements may include:
access for contractors
cleaning
marquee or additional hospitality areas
parking
power
reviewing contractors' safe operating procedures
risk management
security
signage
site or venue
speakers
suppliers
transport.
Work roster tasks may include:
checking operation and soundness of infrastructure and facilities, including:
barriers or starting boxes
distance markers
photo finish
public address system
race meeting kennels or stalls
semaphore board
signage
spectator viewing facilities or seating
surveillance towers
erection and pull down of marquees
landscaping and grounds maintenance
track preparation, covering:
condition
irrigation pipes removal
machinery removal
rail condition and location
starting position of each race.
Area is secured to ensure :
identification of race staff and participants is verified
maintenance of integrity in relation to swabs
maintenance of restricted areas
presentation of correct horses at meetings
staff and race participant safety.
Checks of barriers, rails, starting boxes and jumps may include:
barriers:
battery
communication systems between starter and driver
damage
fuel, oil, power steering and transmission fluid
lights
tyre pressure
water
rails:
inside and outside running rails
sound posts, rails and fittings
no exposed pins or ends (caps required)
no joint protrusions
visibility satisfactory with no discolouration
starting boxes:
battery charge
electric start
front door and rear door springs operational
removal of debris
sound structure with no corrosion
switch operational
wiring safe
jumps:
no exposed pins
no joint protrusions
removal of debris
sound posts, rails and fittings
visibility.
Track condition verification will include:
debris on track
moisture content
rail position and condition
turf, dirt or synthetic surface maintenance.
Repairs to track surface between races may include:
grading
replacing divots
watering.
Track maintenance operations schedule may include:
conducting condition assessment, including:
identifying defects, deterioration or deficiencies and establishing effect on asset performance
determining maintenance or remediation required
allocating necessary maintenance resources, for example:
labour
monetary
selecting appropriate rectification procedure
scheduling maintenance work that may include:
aeration for turf tracks
de-compaction annually on turf tracks
de-thatching
deep rip as required
dragging daily
harrowing daily on sand tracks and as needed on cinders tracks
herbicide and insecticide use
irrigation to bind surface material
fertilising
filling of hoof prints
fungicide use
mowing appropriate for season
nematicide use
power harrow as required
ripping as needed on cinders tracks
rolling daily on sand tracks
replacing divots
scarifying
top dressing if required
turf track aeration.
Equipment or infrastructure may include:
electrical boards
fire safety equipment
irrigation pipes and sprinklers
lighting
mirror box
mobile starting barriers
photo finish equipment
public address system
rails
starting boxes
spectator seating
track maintenance equipment or machinery
tractors and harrows.
Post-race safety check will include:
identifying hazards
controlling and minimising risks
eliminating hazardous substances and materials
ensuring equipment, machinery and vehicles are safe and in proper working order, including:
barriers
lures
starting boxes
following accident and injury procedures
following safe operating procedures
scheduling identified facilities' repairs and maintenance
using correct manual handling techniques, including:
carrying
lifting
shifting.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 preparing track and facilities for race meetings
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of race meeting track and facility preparation
working with others to undertake and complete preparation 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 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:
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to prepare track and facilities for race meetings
relevant racing industry work sites, such as racecourses, 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
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.
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).