Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to address public health safety by applying equine biosecurity and infection control procedures. It covers activities designed to prevent and minimise disease transmission within and between equine work sites and populations.
The unit applies to individuals who care for equines and work in various establishments holding, caring, housing or breeding equines. They work under broad direction, take responsibility for their own work, solve routine problems and use discretion and judgement in the use of available resources. The unit is applicable to a range of equine contexts.
Health and safety and animal welfare legislation relevant to interacting with horses applies to workers in this industry. Requirements vary between industry sectors and state/territory jurisdictions. Users are advised to check with the relevant authority for specific requirements.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
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. Follow biosecurity and infection control procedures for equine work site | 1.1 Access and review workplace infection control and biosecurity procedures applicable to own role and work site 1.2 Follow personal hygiene requirements, select, fit and use personal protective equipment and maintain personal vaccinations/immunisations according to workplace requirements 1.3 Maintain knowledge of equine infectious and zoonotic diseases and emerging trends |
2. Monitor equines for signs of ill health and disease | 2.1 Carry out and record routine disease prevention for equines in care, including parasite control and routine vaccinations according to veterinary instructions 2.2 Monitor physical condition and recognise clinical signs of common equine infectious and zoonotic diseases 2.3 Take and record the temperature, pulse and respiration of the equine accurately and communicate abnormal conditions according to workplace procedures 2.4 Check equine housing and outdoor environments and control potential sources of contaminants and disease risks 2.5 Separate sick or suspect equines according to workplace infection control and quarantine procedures 2.6 Discuss incubation and infectious periods, diagnosis and treatment options for relevant diseases with supervisor and seek advice from veterinarian |
3. Monitor equine movements to minimise disease infection | 3.1 Follow instructions and record equine movement to minimise transfer of disease on, off and within the work site 3.2 Check records of visiting equines prior to entry and keep visiting and resident equines separate on site 3.3 Restrict movement of equines to designated zones or pathways relevant to treatment or activity to be carried out 3.4 Prepare equines for travel according to workplace procedures |
4. Comply with guidelines for monitoring people on site | 4.1 Follow procedures for registering and overseeing the movement of people coming into, moving within and leaving the work site to minimise possible disease transfer 4.2 Direct staff and visitors to washing facilities if handling or inspecting equines and their equipment 4.3 Identify risks and explain workplace procedures to people who visit multiple sites or handle ill equines to prevent risk of disease spread |
5. Monitor movement of vehicles and supplies on-site | 5.1 Follow procedures for restricting movements of visiting vehicles and deliveries to reduce the risk of disease and contaminants spreading to property 5.2 Store equine tack, equipment and bedding separately for resident and visiting equines 5.3 Check stock feed, fodder and water and locate away from potential sources of contamination and store in designated areas |
6. Follow procedures for pest, waste and stock disposal | 6.1 Follow waste management movement, collection and storage practices to minimise disease transfer 6.2 Identify pest animals and vermin and follow control program requirements 6.3 Dispose of biological products according to workplace instructions and environmental and local government requirements |
7. Keep infection control and biosecurity records up-to-date | 7.1 Complete workplace records related to biosecurity and infection control accurately within required timelines and store in designated location 7.2 Comply with workplace and regulatory requirements for reporting suspicions of notifiable diseases 7.3 Ensure personal training records for biosecurity and infection control are maintained |
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 and locate key information in written records and workplace procedures |
Oral communication | Provide clear information and instructions using appropriate tone and language to worksite employees and visitors Use active listening and questioning techniques to clarify and confirm information |
Navigate the world of work | Take responsibility for adherence to biosecurity and infection control procedures relating to own role |
Interact with others | Follow workplace practices and protocols and adjust for reporting and communicating with a range of personnel |
Get the work done | Plan and sequence multiple activities and actively monitor equines in own work area Make decisions and implement standard procedures for routine tasks; reporting or seeking advice on more complex and non-routine situations |
Sectors
Infection control (INF)