Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to work safely and sustainably in industry sectors that use horses. It covers knowledge of potential risks when working with and around horses and following industry guidelines and procedures to ensure the welfare and safety of the individual and the horse.
This unit applies to individuals who have no experience, limited experience or no recent experience working with horses. They undertake defined routine activities under supervision with limited responsibility for their own work. Working environments may include stables, paddocks, yards, tracks, exercise arenas and public areas used by various industry sectors that use horses.
No licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, except for the racing industry, where licensing or registration varies between states and territories.
Health and safety and animal welfare legislation relevant to interacting with horses applies to workers in this industry. As requirements vary between industry sectors and state/territory jurisdictions, users must check with the relevant authority for specific requirements.
NOTE: The terms 'occupational health and safety' (OHS) and 'work health and safety' (WHS) generally have the same meaning in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the national model WHS legislation has not been implemented, RTOs must contextualise the unit of competency by referring to current OHS legislative requirements.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Identify key aspects of the horse industry | 1.1 Locate relevant sources of information to develop own knowledge of the horse industry 1.2 Use industry terminology to describe horses and horse-related work 1.3 Identify potential career pathways within the industry |
2. Follow work health and safety (WHS) and industry guidelines and procedures | 2.1 Interpret and clarify instructions about assigned tasks with supervisor and report safety risks and hazards 2.2 Identify own responsibilities, including boundaries of role, in relation to supervisor instructions 2.3 Identify, assess and take steps to control risks to self, others and the horse when interacting with horses 2.4 Follow safe working practices when working with and around horses, including using correctly fitted personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for the activity 2.5 Raise WHS issues with supervisor according to workplace procedures 2.6 Comply with ethical animal welfare practices according to supervisor instructions 2.7 Follow workplace biosecurity practices according to supervisor instructions 2.8 Complete workplace records and documentation according to workplace guidelines |
3. Seek opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce environmental hazards | 3.1 Identify workplace environmental sustainability and resource efficiency issues 3.2 Identify and report workplace environmental hazards to supervisor 3.3 Follow organisation plans to improve environmental sustainability practices and resource efficiency 3.4 Make suggestions for improvements to workplace practices, environmental sustainability and resource efficiency |
4. Use equipment, tools and gear to complete tasks | 4.1 Select appropriate equipment, tools and gear according to supervisor instructions 4.2 Check equipment, tools and gear and identify their safe use, prior to use 4.3 Use safe manual handling techniques 4.4 Check chemical and medication safety directions prior to use, according to supervisor instructions 4.5 Maintain and store chemicals, medications, equipment, tools and gear according to supervisor instructions and workplace practices |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Reading | Interpret key information on product labels and instructions for work tasks |
Writing | Enter data and record observations accurately and legibly in workplace documentation |
Oral communication | Use active listening and questioning to clarify and confirm supervisor instructions Use industry-standard terminology accurately in communications with others |
Navigate the world of work | Follow workplace procedures, including work health and safety and animal welfare requirements, relating to own role and work area Demonstrate a duty of care to self and others when working with horses |
Get the work done | Follow clearly sequenced instructions, plan tasks and assemble resources required to work effectively in the horse industry |
Sectors
Equine (EQU)