Comment

 

A recently published HSE Research Report¹ found that for many employers and employees the whole subject of health & safety was frighteningly complex and the legislation, regulations and requirements were often difficult to understand. In addition they were unhappy with the amount and type of information available and it was rarely tailored to their specific sectors, or occupations, and could be hard to find when needed.

 

Sentiments often echoed by many of the 6000 equine businesses that employ 54,300 people in the UK.

 

There is a general absence across the UK Horse Industry of tailored up-to-date pragmatic health & safety information that can be easily understood by both employers and employees.

 

With 70% of equine businesses employing 5 or fewer employees, equestrian associations and societies need to work with employers & employees to develop, agree and communicate industry-specific health & safety advice and guidance appropriate to the size of the businesses and promote common standards among their membership.

 

The Racing and Breeding Industry recently released Guidelines on Good Practice supported by a programme of UK wide training courses.

 

Other sectors of the industry still need to catch up.  This is an issue that must be addressed by the long term strategy for the Horse Industry.

¹Obstacles preventing worker involvement in health and safety - Research Report 296

 

The tragic electrocution of two mares (see the "accidents" section below) highlights the importance of electrical safety.  It's essential that the permanent wiring in buildings, including sockets, switches and lights and portable electrical equipment such as clippers are regularly checked for visible signs of damage and periodically tested.

 

But a substantial increased level of protection against fatal electric shock and fire can be provided at modest cost by ensuring that the whole electrical system is protected by using a Residual Current Device (RCD).   

For further information see Electrical Safety and You

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The Government is working in partnership with the British Horse Industry Confederation to devise a long-term strategy for the industry in England and Wales. The aim of the strategy is for the horse industry to set out a vision of where it aspires to be in ten years, what actions are needed to achieve this, and how the Government can help it in following this path.

 

The draft strategy document was launched for public consultation on the 28th of February 2005. There will now be a three month public consultation period, ending on the 27th May 2005, during which Defra want everyone who is involved with horses in any way to give them their comments. The final strategy is expected to be published by the end of the year.

Read more >>>

 

The debate has already started on the Horse & Hound Forum

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"Stop Lowflying" website launched

 

New Helicopter Hotline Goes Live

Following an announcement from Ivor Caplin, Under Secretary of State for Defence, a new freephone advisory service for members of the public enquiring about low flying military helicopter activity went live from Tuesday 1 March 2005.

Read further details on these stories >>> 

 

More from Horse & Hound and vote in the survey "Have you been involved in a low-flying incident while riding?"

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Companies and other organisations are urged to ignore information they receive from two firms purporting to regulate health and safety legislation.
HSE has received complaints from companies across the country that have been sent requests for payment in return for compliance with health and safety law.

 

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Insurance Working Group Urges Better Record Keeping

The Equestrian Insurance Working Group which met in September 2004  has met again in January 2005 and put forward propoals to relieve the financial pressures caused by increasing insurance premiums to proprietors of equestrian establishments.

 

“Better record keeping holds the key to keeping the lid on insurance premiums for riding establishments.”  This is the conclusion of the joint horse and insurance industries working group, set up to address the problem caused to many riding establishments by steep increases in insurance costs."

Read more on the proposals >>>

 

More from the BHS >>>

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British Horse Society

Tell the BHS about roads

THE British Horse Society (BHS) is asking riders for information about slippery road surfaces. 

It hopes to gather evidence to put forward for a code of practice on surfacing, to be included in the Code of Practice for Highway Maintenance, to be published this spring. 

The BHS met the County Surveyors Society (CSS) to discuss mounting problems relating to slippery road surfaces, most of which appear to be Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA). The CSS represents all the Highway Authorities in England and Wales. 

Find the questionnaire on the BHS website  or send an SAE to: Slippery Surfaces, BHS Safety Dept, Stoneleigh Deer Park, Kenilworth, Warks CV82XZ.

Source:  Horse & Hound 6 January 2005

All Horse & Hound news items that are reproduced in this newsletter are done so with the permission of Horse & Hound.

Fire

Arson youth to face Crown Court hearing

Following on from December......

MAGISTRATES have sent a 16-year-old boy to Crown Court to face charges that he set a stable on fire after hearing details of the case and seeing photographic evidence.

The 16-year-old is accused of playing with a box of matches inside a stable at Helsby, Cheshire (Horse & Hound news, 30 December).

Both defence and prosecution solicitors advised magistrates at Vale Royal Youth Court last week that the case could be adequately dealt with by the youth court.

But members of the bench said they felt their sentencing powers were insufficient to deal with the alleged offences.

Source:  Horse & Hound 14 January 2005

See also Riding Safely News November & December 2004

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Accidents

Four escaped horses die in car accident

THE poor state of the fencing at a BHS-approved riding centre is being blamed for an accident in which four horses were killed and a mother and her 10-year-old son were seriously injured.

 

Horse killed on B-road

A five-year-old Thoroughbred has been killed after a van collided with it and carried horse and rider 23 yards along the two-lane road.

 

Electrocution horror claims two mares 

THE Dublin show champion Dimmer Light has been killed with another mare in a freak electrical accident that also nearly claimed the life of their owner's mother.

 

Riding club secretary dies in dressage fall

A tragic accident during a schooling session has claimed the life of a Sussex riding teacher.

 

Read more about these accidents >>>

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BETA's Body Protector Survey Continues......

If you own a body protector then BETA (the British Equestrian Trade Association) want to hear from you!  

BETA are still conducting a survey to obtain information regarding the use and effectiveness of body protectors which in turn will be used to assist their continued development and promotion.

Help now by getting more details from BETA and take part in the survey

 

Responses to the BETA survey have already highlighted body protector issues - read the interim report from BETA

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and what's new on the site....

 

Riding Safely launches a Forum where you can ask a question or share your experiences and knowledge.  You can also comment about any of the items in this edition of the News digest. 

 

A Search facility has been added to help you find information quickly and easily from the Riding Safely website.

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