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.
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.

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 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).