Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide emergency animal assistance, including managing the incident scene, assisting personnel at the scene, using safe animal handling techniques; and transporting the injured or deceased animal from the scene.
The unit applies to individuals who work in greyhound, harness or thoroughbred codes of the racing industry using specialised knowledge and organisational skills to manage racing incidents with animals during trackwork, barrier trials and race meetings.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory 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. Provide assistance at incident scene | 1.1 Contact veterinarian, steward and other specialists when animal emergency occurs 1.2 Assist individuals in potential danger or risk at incident scene until assistance arrives 1.3 Assist with catching or restraining animal using safe handling techniques to prevent further injury or damage 1.4 Provide assistance to supervising personnel who are treating or assessing the animal 1.5 Apply basic methods of restraint to animal under veterinary or specialist supervision |
2. Manage incident scene | 2.1 Identify hazards, assess risks and select appropriate personal protective equipment to avoid injury to personnel or animals 2.2 Collect and install privacy screens according to workplace procedures 2.3 Allocate staff members to restrict public access to incident area 2.4 Give consideration to the distress of those associated with the injured animal and of the general public in the management of incident 2.5 Use discretion in the handling of a deceased animal 2.6 Assist stewards and veterinarian in the collection of a post-mortem swab sample if requested by the stewards |
3. Transport animal | 3.1 Prepare and transport vehicle and equipment to incident site 3.2 Select animal loading techniques to minimise risk of further injury to animal or injury to personnel 3.3 Use discretion in the loading of a deceased animal 3.4 Transport animal to designated veterinary hospital or review area 3.5 Assist with arranging transport to designated disposal area after required samples have been collected 3.6 Assist with cleaning transport vehicle and equipment and check for operational readiness according to track procedures and any commercial arrangements |
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 |
Numeracy | Estimate weight and volume for lifting, loading and transporting animals |
Oral communication | Issue clear instructions at incident site and report facts accurately to racing officials and other personnel |
Navigate the world of work | Take responsibility for adherence to workplace and racing industry procedures, including safe work practices and animal welfare requirements, relating to own role and area of responsibility Contribute to review procedures with supervising personnel |
Interact with others | Use collaborative techniques to manage incidents effectively and efficiently to minimise impact and stress of incident to animals and personnel Use discretion and empathy when dealing with grief issues |
Get the work done | Plan, prioritise and assemble resources to provide emergency animal assistance within required response times Evaluate incidents and risks promptly, and devise and implement solutions and control measures to achieve outcomes |
Sectors
Track management (TRK)