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.
Factors that affect greyhound or horse behaviour may include:
senses:
eyesight
hearing
smell
sixth sense
taste
touch
environment:
animal location, including kennels or stalls
marshalling area or enclosure
presentation area
crowds
enclosed spaces, including:
barrier
boxes
inclement weather conditions, including:
extreme heat
wind
loud noises
other greyhounds or horses
pre or post-race activity.
Signs of distress , excitement or nervousness in greyhounds or horses may include:
agitated and sweaty
attempts to bite
charges forward
kicks
pulls back
pulls sideways
rears
reluctant to move forward
turns in circles.
Safety zones and danger areas around greyhounds or horses may include:
blind spots at fore and rear of horse
head and hindquarters
location to other animals
near shoulder.
Considerations when determining safe methods of approaching or moving around greyhounds or horses may include:
assessing behaviour prior to approaching or moving around
identifying good behaviour traits and bad behaviour traits and vices
knowledge of behavioural problems
knowledge of restraining techniques employed by handler
level of education and experience of the greyhound or horse, related to behaviour.
Dress standards in mounting yard, marshalling area or presentation area may include:
industry dress codes
personal grooming requirements
personal presentation in the public eye
racing rules regarding dress codes
similar to standards at race meetings, for example members' area requirements.
OHS obligations may include:
awareness of state or territory and federal OHS legislation and relevant state or territory authority's approved codes of practice and standards
identifying hazards
controlling and minimising risks
safely using and operating equipment, including recording devices and cameras
familiarity with industry-applicable safe operating procedures
safety procedures for the protection of self and others
knowledge of accident and injury procedures.
Safe work methods for approaching or moving around greyhounds or horses may include:
applying safe work practices in crowded areas
knowledge of greyhound or horse behaviour amongst other animals
knowledge of safe work practices, including:
use of anti-rearing bit or bridle headpiece with bit, with double clip lead used when horses are lead at racecourses, training tracks and in public places
considering variables that influence behaviour of animal, such as:
fences and equipment
other persons or animals
vehicles
wind and noise
handler is positioned next to other handler when leading or passing greyhounds or horses in the opposite direction (person to person)
handler maintains two greyhound or horse lengths between greyhounds or horses
one greyhound or horse to each handler
using personal protective equipment
walking animals in single file
well-maintained and safe gear
understanding individual animal behaviour.

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 attending racing events
demonstration of ability to approach and move around animals in a safe manner
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of required actions and behaviour covering safety of self, others and animals
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 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 range of educated greyhounds and harness or thoroughbred horses for practical experience
industry supervised access to racecourses to view training activities and to racing events to view marshalling yard or enclosure operations
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to attend race meetings and comply with protocols and safety procedures
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).