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, 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.
Props used to attract greyhounds to catching area may include:
false lure dragged by catching pen attendant
synchronised timing of lure switch off with approach of greyhounds to catching area
visual barrier to block greyhounds' view of track.
Rules of racing , protocols and procedures related to catching pen operations may include:
Australian and local rules of racing
adhering to responsibilities under OHS legislation and workplace practices
adhering to state, territory or federal legislation related to animal welfare
adhering to personal presentation standards
following instructions from race day stewards and other officials.
Potential hazards in catching area may include:
getting hit by the lure
getting hit by greyhounds running into the pen
getting hit or jammed in the catching gate
greyhounds attacking other greyhounds
greyhounds not entering the catching pen and running back down the track
making physical contact with greyhound catchers
tripping or falling while encouraging greyhounds into the catching area.
Strategies to minimise risk may include:
controlling access to the catching area until it is safe to enter
switching off lure at strategic distance from catching pen
ensuring all greyhounds are in catching pen before closing the gate
ensuring timing of use of catching area props is likely to attract greyhounds into pen
directing catchers to concentrate on catching their own greyhound
knowing greyhound behaviour traits
moving swiftly to catch greyhounds that may appear to be ready to fight
paying attention to where catchers and greyhounds are in the catching pen
talking to greyhound trainer about a greyhound's behaviour.
Identification of greyhounds may include:
coat colour and markings
ear brand
race rug colour and number
racing registration certificate.
Incidents to be reported to stewards may include:
accidents or near misses in the catching pen area or surrounds
inability to verify identification of greyhounds with racing documentation
injured, distressed or sick greyhounds
failure of catching pen equipment
failure of racing participants to comply with catching pen supervisor's instructions.

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 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 catching pen operations
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of catching pen 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 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:
a variety of greyhounds at different stages of race preparation
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to supervise catching pen operations
safe handling and catching pen areas, 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
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, for example:
RGRCMN001A Comply with the rules of racing and related protocols
RGRPSG201A Handle greyhounds.
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).