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Riding Safely
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News for January, February & March 2006
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Comment
Such a shame……
Londoners and their families look forward to the London Harness Horse
Parade, which has run in London since 1885.
This year they'll be disappointed as it moves from London to West Sussex after an impasse with Wandsworth Council,
apparently over issues associated with the risk assessment (see News: London parade moves).
It has to be asked why, after running for 120 years, the health
& safety risks are now considered to be so unacceptably high, and whether the principles of sensible health &
safety were applied.
In the recently published Strategy for the Horse Industry in England
and Wales one of the aims is to increase participation in
equestrianism and develop the social contribution of the Horse Industry. The
spectacle and enjoyment provided by the London Harness Horse Parade to many non-horsey Londoners provides a wonderful
showcase for the industry and may well stimulate increased participation.
Let's hope that the industry puts its full support behind the London
Harness Horse Parade to overcome any future problems and return it to its rightful home next year.
______________________________________________________
Your Right of
Reply.....
You can comment
about any of the items in this edition of the News digest in the Forum.
 Special Feature – Will I be successfully sued?
Jane Phillips is the solicitor who acted for Dr. and Mrs. Henley
in the infamous Mirvahedy v Henley
case. The findings of that case have had ongoing significant legal liability
and insurance implications for every horse owner in England
and Wales.
In this special feature Jane exclusively provides Riding Safely
with details of some of the cases she has been involved with over the last two years - brought in Negligence and under the
Animals Act - winning 8 out of 9.
Jane told Riding Safely “It just shows that despite
Henley and Mirvahedy we can still win cases!”
|
The cases are:
· Margaret Plum V Chorley Equestrian Centre (5th November
2004)
· Joyce Winkworth V Hargate Hill Equestrian Centre (18th November 2004)
· Dr Faith Holdsworth V Blewbury Riding & Training Centre (4th January 2005)
· Susan Dennett V Patricia Wain (18th March 2005)
· Jenny Royle V Matchmoor Riding Centre (15th June 2005)
·
Hannah Sherridan V Glebefield Equestrian Centre (15 & 16 September 2005) |
Full details can be found at: www.ridingsafely.net/legal_cases_pjmdp.html
What is Mirvahedy
v. Henley? Find out more about the case, the Animals Act 1971 and
a host of other related information at: http://www.ridingsafely.net/mirvahedy_v_henley.html
Safety
Tip
In Case of Emergency (ICE)……
Over the next few editions Riding Safely will look at some
of the more common things that can go wrong, and some simple steps to take that could help when they do.
This edition's tip is quite straightforward: if you go out hacking there's always the possibility that at some point you and your mount might become
separated. Seeing your beloved four-legged friend disappearing into the distance is not a pleasant sight, but knowing you
might get a call sooner rather than later telling you your mount is in safe hands can be reassuring. The problem for the person
in possession of the runaway horse is who to contact. Marking an emergency telephone number on the bridle or saddle could
be the answer - something as simple as a dog tag engraved with the contact details.
But think carefully about the number you use. It shouldn't be your mobile - because it might become damaged or you
might become incapacitated in the event of a fall - but rather the number of your yard or a friend. The one you give must be one that will always be answered and the person must be aware that you've nominated
them in case of emergency.
See previous Safety Tips >>>
What are the health & safety issues that concern
you most? List them in the Forum
______________________________________________________
News
National Equine Forum
The National Equine Forum held in London on Wednesday 22
March saw the launch of two important pieces of industry information:
It’s time for action Minister tells the National
Equine Forum
An action plan that sets out how the horse industry can further
strengthen its valuable contribution to the economy and lives of people in cities and rural areas across England
and Wales was launched at the National Equine Forum 2006.
The action plan supports the Strategy for the Horse Industry in
England and Wales,
published in December 2005, and sets out how all 50 of the strategy’s action points will be implemented.
Minister for the Horse Industry, Jim Knight, and Chairman of the
British Horse Industry Confederation (BHIC), Graham Cory, launched the Horse Industry Strategy’s Action Plan.
Mr Knight said:
“The horse industry offers a multitude of social, educational
and health benefits to the wider community, and the Government is committed to helping you promote and maximise these.
“I am continually encouraged by the productive relationship
that exists between Defra and the horse industry.
“Defra is making some key commitments to the horse industry
this year, including the improvement of access to the countryside, and reviewing the issue of insurance.
“We will explore, with Natural England, the possibility
of establishing Access Enablers, to bring together and further the interests of people who want access to the countryside,
including horse riders who need extra provision more than most. If the pilot
is successful and brings real benefits, we will look at extending this around the country.
“The Prime Minister’s Respect agenda is about investing
in good behaviour by creating the right infrastructure of support and facilities and amenities that people can use in their
community. Working with the horse industry is one of the ways we can take this
forward.”
Mr Knight said he was sympathetic to complaints from horse owners
about the infamous Mirvahedy insurance case.
“I am keen to explore whether the effect of Mirvahedy on
the 1971 Animals Act can be addressed. My officials are already working on this,
with a view to possibly supporting an amendment to the 1971 Act. We expect to
go out to consultation on this issue soon.
“We are also putting more funding into research –
to explore and highlight evidence of what the horse industry can achieve.”
Mr Knight made further commitments to raise horse industry issues
to the attention of his Ministerial colleagues, to meet with the BHIC every six months, and he also pledged a further contribution
from Defra towards the running costs of a newly developed BHIC website, which houses the action plan.
In launching this website and expanding on the horse industry’s
role in the action plan, BHIC Chairman Graham Cory, said:
“I can't think of a better example of government working
productively, and to such good effect, with any other industry.
“A few years ago the strategy was little more than a pipe
dream, a twinkle in the eyes of the BHIC. The fact that it exists today is a
testament to what can be achieved when people set their minds to it. With the
publication of the action plan, the strategy has metamorphosed from a collection of worthy aims into a challenge. Collectively, the various equestrian and equine organisations, and Defra, will be judged by their record
of delivering against the various action points.
“By visiting the new BHIC website at www.bhic.co.uk, the development of which has been funded by Defra, you will be able to see how well – or otherwise -
we are doing in delivering against the action plan. The website
will also help us improve communications between organisations and with the wider community.”
£4bn spent on horses, says BETA survey
Horse owners and riders spend around £4 billion per year on what
has become a growing leisure activity, according to the National Equestrian Survey (NES) newly commissioned by the British
Equestrian Trade Association (BETA).
The second and final phase of the survey, in which BETA has invested
more than £70,000, was launched at the National Equine Forum.
“The figures show that conventional wisdom may have underestimated
just to what extent the industry has grown since BETA last reported in 1999,” said BETA’s executive director Claire
Williams.
“The report’s findings will contribute significantly
to the debate surrounding the structure of the industry, its role in Britain
today and its strategic development in the future.”
The new survey reveals that the number of horses in Britain,
including those kept by private owners and in professional establishments, has reached 1.35 million. They are owned or cared
for by 720,000 people, or 1.2% of the UK population.
Around 2.1 million people ride at least once a month, with a further
2.2 million having done so during the last year, making a total of 4.3 million participants. The previous estimate was that
2.4 million people had ridden during the last 12-months.
“These figures are particularly encouraging, especially
if infrequent riders can be persuaded to take to the saddle more often,” said Ms Williams.
Research for the first part of the NES, published in February,
found that a shortage of places to go riding and lack of opportunity were often-cited deterrents.
BETA, which represents about 800 manufacturers, distributors and
retailers of equestrian goods and services, is currently promoting riding as a leisure activity that can be enjoyed by all
ages and on a wide range of budgets.
When the trade association sought views on the coming of the Olympic
Games to London in 2012, more than 90% of respondents believed that the ‘Olympic
effect’ would raise the profile of horse sports and generate more interest in riding.
BETA also asked researchers to find out what the more dedicated
riders and owners do with their horses.
Although leisure riding remains the main activity, up by 5% since
the 1999 survey, the number of riders who school their horses has almost doubled. The amount of competition riding, both affiliated
and unaffiliated, has also increased; while riding has become less seasonal with more riders remaining active all year round.
Hunting was also found to have attracted more followers, with
the number of mounted participants increasing from 10% to 18% of regular riders over the last six years. Yet the number keeping
horses mainly for hunting has gone down by around one third.
The National Equestrian Survey, with additional specialist sections,
will be available to purchase. Contact BETA on 01937 587062 or visit www.beta-uk.org
Important Conference highlights the new
nationally accredited Level 2 Award for Health & Safety in the Equine Industry
Warwickshire College's continued commitment to providing solutions for
all areas of equine industry and education with regard to health and safety management and training was underlined by the
staging of the 'Safety with Horses' Conference held at Moreton Morrell on Monday 20th February.
Equine Projects Manager Karen Tolley outlined the new, award winning equine
health and safety training programme and accredited qualification, demonstrating the many ways in which it can be delivered,
while Alastair Mitchell, HSE explained the new framework for Vocational Qualifications in health and safety for the land based
industries.
Eleven colleges attended the full day event. Presentations were delivered
by a range of speakers from both inside and outside the equine education sector and reflected the key aspects of this important
qualification for delivery by equine programmes areas.
Alan Bingle, Expert Technical Witness highlighted common areas leading
to litigation and Paul Reay from the major equine insurers SEIB discussed the ways in which the insurance industry was working
to keep insurance premiums down.
Other contributors included Sue Evans of Willow Farm Riding & Livery
Centre, Skegness who had travelled down from the North East to describe how well the programme had worked for her staff.
Alan Bingle said: "Horses can give a great deal of pleasure, create excitement
and provide us with a worthwhile occupation or pastime. We owe it to the horses that we handle or ride to undertake any involvement
we may have in an environment that is safe, controlled and where the risks involved have been reduced to a minimum".
Find out more about the Safety with Horses training programme
at: http://www.warkscol.ac.uk/equistudy/equistudy/coursepage.asp?courseid=9
Judges forced to wear hard hats
HARD hats are now compulsory for judges of ridden hunter classes. As of the start of this year, Sport
Horse Breeding of Great Britain's (SHB(GB)) rules state: "Judges must wear a skull cap or hat and safety harness according
to the current approved BSI or European standard."
"The change of rule was for health and safety reasons," explained Catherine Burdock, general secretary
of SHB(GB). The changes have angered members of the showing community, who feel the introduction of hard hats with three-point
harnesses will ruin the traditional spectacle
of ridden hunter classes, in particular ladies' classes. Lynn Russell, who has judged ladies' hunter classes for the past 20 years, is outraged by the decision, stating: "I think it is dreadful
- the dress code is part of English heritage and the changes will destroy the class from an elegance point of view."
Ms Russell feels wearing a hard hat will spoil the look of the traditional side-saddle habit.
"I'm very much a traditionalist and I'm vain, I like the look of the traditional dress, it's very feminine,"
she said, adding judges should have an opportunity to sign a disclaimer.
SHB (GB) considered extending the new rule to competitors as well as judges, but in the wake
of negative feed back from members and consulting solicitors, decided it need apply only to judges and competitors under 18
(hats are strongly recommended for the over-18s).
SHB(GB) is aware the changes will meet with opposition, but remains determined judges should wear hard
hats for insurance purposes.
"The downside of health and safety rules is that you risk losing tradition," said Ms Burdock.
Showing producer and judge Robert Oliver said the changes were a shame for spectators, but "a sign of
the times", adding there was always a risk element when judges rode up to 60 unfamiliar horses at one time.
British Dressage recently opted to leave its rules unchanged - hard hats are "recommended" but not compulsory
at affiliated competitions.
But the British Show Hack, Cob and Riding Horse Association could take SHB(GB)'s lead.
"We've noted the new rule with interest and will consider it at our board meeting (14February)," said
its chairman, Brian Williams.
Source:
Horse & Hound Magazine 2 February 2006
UPDATE: Judges sign disclaimer to keep
traditional hats
SHOWING judges who do not want to comply with a new Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain (SHB(GB)) rule
on hard hats (H&H news, 2 February) can opt to sign a disclaimer.
However, a warning has been given to any judge considering this route that he/she may not be covered by
the society's insurance in the event of an accident.
"We have given people the option of signing a disclaimer stating that if they choose to wear hats other
than those in the 2006 rules, then in the event of an accident they may not be covered," said Catherine Burdock, general secretary
of SHB(GB).
"The emphasis is on 'may not': we are not saying they will not, because until a claim is made and all
the circumstances are taken into account, we do not know what an insurer would decide."
The rule, which came in at the start of 2006, states that judges must wear a skullcap or hat and safety harness that meets the current approved BSI or European standard.
It means made-to-measure hats that do not meet current approval — in particular, bowlers and silk
hats worn in ladies' hunter classes — are not deemed acceptable for judges in light of advice given by the society's
insurance brokers.
Some judges asked the society to think again and welcomed the offer of a disclaimer. Lucy Killingbeck,
a competitor and judge, said she could not wear standard safety headgear because an injury sustained in a car accident meant she suffers severe headaches if she wears anything
other than made-to-measure hats.
Mrs Killingbeck said she had spoken to 90 out of about 120 judges on the SHB(GB) panel and found only
one in favour of hats to BSI or European standards being mandatory, with the rest believing judges should be given a choice
to assess risk factors for themselves.
"It isn't about vanity or arrogance, it's about freedom of choice and comfort," she said.
"There have been no recorded incidents of judges sustaining head injuries in the ring in the UK.
"When you're judging, you can sometimes be in the ring for 3 hours or more, and safety hats aren't designed to be worn for such long periods."
Miss Burdock said judges who signed the disclaimer must realise they may still have to comply with individual
shows' rules.
"If a show states that all judges must wear hats to approved safety standards, judges must comply even
if they have signed our disclaimer," she said.
In the light of the SHB(GB) controversy, the British Show Hack Cob and Riding Horse Association has also
looked at whether safety headgear should be made mandatory for judges, but has decided not to change its rules.
BSHCRHA board member Lynn Russell said: "The matter was brought up at the last board meeting but it was
decided it should continue to be left to judges' discretion for the time being.” But judges and competitors need to
remember that individual shows and societies have different rules and they must make sure they comply with them."
Source: Horse & Hound Magazine 2 March 2006
Horse
& Hound columnist Katie Jerran added.....
Vanity over safety
......Another subject that has stirred a lot of passion is that
of judges and hats. Many were resentful of a new Sport Horse Breeding (GB) stipulation that safety hats become mandatory for
judges — although this was partly defused by allowing those who wanted to continue wearing hats
of their choice to sign disclaimers.
While agreeing that some traditions are important, I do wonder if some objectors
are going to look back in a few years' time and wonder what all the fuss was about. When the BSJA decreed that riders had
to wear hats with three-point harnesses, there was an outcry: now, everyone accepts it.
The horse world is notoriously reluctant to accept change, but, eventually,
we get used to new things. After all, if we all look the same, does it matter if we don't look as elegant?
The Side Saddle Association already insists that its junior members wear
safety hats, so as that generation comes through the ranks, perhaps the traditional silk hat will one day seem to be literally,
old hat.
Although I've stuck to tradition when judging — and,
having signed the disclaimer, will continue to do so — it wouldn’t bother me if it reached the stage
where safety headgear had to be worn. I always wear a crash hat at home and keep it on all day on the yard because I've had
more potential accidents on the ground than when on the back of a horse.
Unfortunately, showing societies do have to worry about the
possibility of being sued by a judge who has an accident in the ring. Litigation is now a fact of life —
a few years ago, no one would have dreamed of suing after a horse-related accident, but that has changed dramatically, as
riding schools know to their cost.
It will be interesting to see how many judges appear wearing
hats with three-point harnesses and how many stick to beagle caps and bowlers. I think tradition will win out, but also hope
those of us who follow it will be even more careful to send horses who behave badly out of the ring and will not be criticised
when we do so.
Source:
Horse & Hound Magazine - Horse
& Hound columnist Katie Jerran - 2 March 2006
The only two letters
published on the subject appeared in Horse & Hound – 16
February 2006, the first from a Doctor.
Rider safety before fashion,
please
Sir - I was astounded by Lynn
Russell's comments on the rule change that will force show judges to wear proper hats (news, 2 February).
It seems, as she admits with
misplaced pride, that looking the part is far more important than being protected in the event of a fall.
When is the horse world going
to grow up about this issue? I see adverts and training features regularly showing unsafe hats or no hats at all, and a friend
tells me he believes his scores drop significantly if he wears a proper hat for affiliated dressage.
BSI hats save lives. They also
prevent lives from being destroyed by brain injury, the reality of which is not in the least bit "elegant".
Even moderate brain injuries
can change personalities and result in wrecked careers and lost marriages.
Sir—I am not surprised
by the moaning and griping at the suggestion that showing judges should wear proper hard hats with safety fittings. It is
hard to imagine any other sport where safety would be deemed of less importance than style or tradition.
Of course judges must wear modern
safety headwear. If style is compromised in favour of safety, that is a price worth paying.
It won't be the same as in the
old days, but were the old days really so great that we can't imagine improving on them?
London parade moves
FOR the first time since 1885, the London Harness Horse Parade
will not take place in the capital. The parade has been at Battersea Park
since 1995.
But following a disagreement between Wandsworth Council and the
parade's organisers, the event will now take place at South of England showground, Ardingly, on Easter Monday, 17 April.
Wandsworth Council had requested organisers conduct risk assessment
after a spectator was injured when a horse bolted at last year's event.
"Sadly, they were unable to provide answers," said a council spokesman.
"It's a shame because it was a popular event, but we can't risk public safety."
Jackie Shearman, parade secretary, said: "Park and parade officials
could not agree on certain matters so it had to be moved elsewhere."
Source: Horse & Hound Magazine 16
March 2006
In a follow-up letter to Horse & Hound, W Gilbey,
Chairman of the London Harness Horse Parade Society, London wrote:
Sir—I am writing in response to the news story regarding
the withdrawal of the London Harness Horse Parade from Battersea Park
(16 March).
Wandsworth Council requested that we consulted with independent
safety consultants to ensure that our risk assessment met all the necessary requirements. This we did, but still the council
was still not satisfied.
The committee finally had to take the decision to find
another venue. The event will now take place on 17 April, at the South of England Centre, Ardingly, West Sussex.
Source: Horse & Hound Magazine 23
March 2006
Police get expert equine help with strays
Police in Norfolk will now benefit from the expertise of Britain’s largest horse charity when dealing with
stray horses.
Norfolk Police have linked up with Britain's largest horse welfare charity, Redwings, in a
pioneering initiative to deal with stray horses. A team of experienced horse handlers from Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Long
Stratton will now be on-call round the clock to help police officers when a stray horse's owners cannot be traced.
Read more from Horse & Hound Online at: http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/article.php?aid=73875&cid=397
Source: Horse
& Hound Online (Anna Tyzack) 31 January 2006
Also reported
in EDP24 - 30 January 2006 - Read more from EDP24 >>>
Equestrian industry must get greener, says BETA
A campaign to make the equestrian industry one of the greenest
in the country has been launched by the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA).
The introduction of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme
will encourage companies that manufacturer, distribute and retail equestrian products and services to be more aware of issues
such as recycling and ethical trading.
“There was a time when a company’s main role was employing
people and paying taxes. Although those functions remain crucial, the modern business needs to be seen to be doing more to
lead the way on social and environmental issues,” said BETA’s executive director Claire Williams.
“These might include cutting down on wasteful packaging,
encouraging the use of recyclable raw materials, reducing dependency on road transport, fostering ethical trading throughout
the supply chain and helping reduce climate change.”
BETA has drawn up a series of achievable initiatives to help members
participate in the CSR Programme. The overall aim is to add value to the equestrian trade and enhance its reputation with
both consumers and the wider commercial community.
Pledging the trade association’s commitment to a CSR Programme,
BETA chairman Monty Stuart Monteith said: “It can give businesses’ employees a sense of belonging and a goal beyond
the chores of a routine job, and allow companies to differentiate themselves from those who take no interest in the world
around them. CSR is therefore a good thing.”
The BETA-led CSR Programme also endorses the use of clear labelling
on products, good business practice and the reduction of waste.
“The implementation of these core values could make the
equestrian industry one of the greenest in the country,” added Monty Stuart-Monteith.
The ten core values of the BETA CSR Programme are:
- Greener supply
chains - to encourage BETA members to develop sustainable supply chains for products.
- Product information
- to give consumers confidence that social and environmental issues are being well managed by our members.
- Climate change
- to reduce the trade’s contribution to climate change by encouraging the reduction of energy usage. To promote the
selling of products which are energy efficient both in their manufacture and use.
- Packaging - to
reduce the amount of packaging in our trade and encourage use of recyclable materials.
- Product disposal
- to encourage the production of products that are recyclable, bio-degradable or do not have to be thrown away at the end
of their useful lives.
- Transport - to
reduce the dependency on road transport in our trade.
- Waste - to
reduce the amount of waste generated.
- Ethical trading
- to ensure that everybody in our supply chains benefits from trading with BETA members.
- Community membership
- to encourage BETA members to be good neighbours and good employers in the community.
- Feeds - to follow
relevant legislation and codes of conduct.
More details from BETA on tel 01937 587062 or info@beta-uk.org
The following exciting new developments will involve substantial design and building
works which undoubtedly will be professionally undertaken. But remember if you are ever involved with a new facility
on your premises - be it a small refurbishment or leading to a new major complex - potential accidents
can be designed out by designing safety in at the earliest stage.
ILPH pledges £3m for new site
THE International League for Protection of Horses (ILPH) is willing
to spend more than £3m in its quest to open a new recovery and rehab centre in the south-west of England.
But first it needs to find a site.
The welfare group is on the look-out for a green field site or
farm/equestrian set-up that is suitable for conversion.
"We would pay £700,000 for a green field site of about 200 acres
of well-drained pasture, ideally with hedges or post-and-rail fencing," said ILPH secretary Richard Felton, adding more than
£2.5m would then be invested in a rehabilitation centre.
If you can help, call Nick Burdttel: 01934 832 459).
Source: Horse & Hound Magazine 16
March 2006
Champion news as the Amman Valley's
£1.6m trotting track project gets off to a flying start
WORK has begun on a £1.6m project to create a championship harness
trotting circuit and equestrian centre in the heart of the Amman Valley.
Read more from IC Wales Online >>>
Source: IC Wales Online 28 February 2006
RDA plans new centre
A Riding For The Disabled Group in Shropshire is aiming to raise £750,000 to build
a new centre to satisfy soaring demand in the area.
The Perry Riding and Driving Group was set up more than l0 years
ago from Jane Barker's home and private stables in Yeaton. It now runs six days a week for about 80 adults and children—with
a waiting list that would fill a further three sessions.
"All our sessions are full," said Mrs Barker, "but it's very hard
to turn people away. If we get enough people we try to form a new session, but we're running out of space."
The current location means riders must cross a busy main road
to access the driving track and since the operation has expanded, so has the need for facilities. Plans for the new centre
are yet to be drawn up, but it will include an indoor/outdoor school, driving track and a classroom.
"In building a new centre," said Mrs Barker, "we hope to ensure
the future of riding, driving and vaulting for disabled people in Shropshire. We have many young children
who ride here—who put their riding clothes on as soon as they get up— and it plays a huge part in their life."
The group has been turned down for grants from the SITA Trust
and the Charities Aid Commission.
Fund-raising starts on 1 April at the Walford and North
Shropshire College with Dancing With Horses, an
afternoon of music, freestyle dressage, side-saddle and vaulting.
For details (tel: 0845 4506714) or visit www.perry-rda.org
Source: Horse & Hound Magazine 16
March 2006
The difference a year makes
Cold conditions so far this March are in stark contrast to the
warm weather many places across the UK
experienced this time last year.
The first half of March 2006 has seen temperatures below average
across the entire UK, with daytime values only reaching 3
or 4 °C in places and frequent overnight frosts.
Last year temperatures were considerably higher, with daytime
highs in the mid to upper teens. The highest temperatures reported around Britain
this time last year were:
· London
20 °C on the 18th;
· Trawscoed,
Ceredigion with 21 °C (70 °F) on the 19th;
· Valley,
Anglesey, 20 °C on the 20th;
· Guernsey
17 °C on the 21st;
· Edinburgh
and Aultbea with 17 °C on the 22nd.
Met Office forecasters are expecting temperatures to remain generally
below average over the next few days with a continued risk of frost at night.
Get the latest forecast for the UK
at: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/europe/uk/uk.html
Source:
Met Office 17 March 2006 http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/index.html
______________________________________________________
Appointments
The British Horse Society promotes Henry Whittaker to
Access Senior Executive
Henry Whittaker has been appointed Senior Executive in The British
Horse Society's Access and Rights of Way Department.
Henry, who is a Bachelor of Law and has a post-graduate Master
of Science, joined the Society almost two years ago as an Assistant Access and Rights of
Way Officer and, after the 2005 reorganisation, was an Executive in the Access and Rights of Way Department.
Director of Access, Safety and Welfare Mark Weston said: "I am
delighted that Henry has achieved this promotion. He is a hard-working and gifted member
of the team. I have every confidence in him making a success of his new challenge."
Henry, 25, said he was "born in the saddle", having had his first
riding lessons as a baby, and went on to show hunters at all levels, training with
Lars Sederholm from the age of 13.
He said: "I grew up in the equestrian world and understand how
vital the fight for better access and rights of way is for riders and drivers. My father
is a rural rights of way contractor and I learnt a great deal from him about the practical right of way
before I even started at the BHS.
"My priorities are to make the Access and Rights of Way Department
more transparent and open and really promote what we are constantly striving to achieve."
Source: British Horse Society 16 January
2006
______________________________________________________
Roads, Byeways and Rights of Way
Highway Code Consultation
The Driving Standards Agency
is consulting on the revision of The Highway Code. Now is your opportunity
to comment on the contents.
The Driving Standards Agency, an executive agency of the Department
for Transport, is updating the Highway Code. Before finalising the revised Code,
the agency wants to take account of the views of a wide range of those with an interest in road safety. Your comments are
therefore invited on any of the proposed amendments, and on any other aspect of the Code, with the closing date for submission
of any comments being 10th May 2006. The British Horse Society
and the British Driving Society are the equestrian organisations being asked for their input during this period of external
consultation.
What are the major changes that specifically affect horse
riders?
New sections are included on:
· signal
controlled equestrian crossings (section 25, page 11)
· horse-drawn
vehicles used on the Highway (section 45, page 15)
· requirements
to wear a helmet not applying to a child who is a follower of the Sikh religion while wearing a
turban (section 46, page 15)
· wearing
reflective clothing and carrying lights (white to the front , red to the rear) if riding/leading a horse at night (section
48, page 15)
· dismounting
at level crossings where a horse rider dismounting sign is displayed (section 51, page 16)
Existing rules include 198, 208 & 209. Quiet lanes are now mentioned under 212.
The index lists horse riders under sections 45-52, 157, 181, 208
& 247. Horse-drawn vehicles are mentioned under section 45, with additional
information on page 113.
Sheila Hardy, Senior Executive Safety for the British Horse Society,
told Riding Safely that although this is an open consultation document, she would be grateful
if you would copy any comments you might make to her at s.hardy@bhs.org.uk
The revised draft of The Highway Code can be accessed at www.dsa.gov.uk/highwaycode. It’s available to download and print in sections, rather than as one complete document. (This is because the complete consultation document, including all the pictures, is too big to make
available as a single download.)
Source:
The Driving Standards Agency - 15 February
2006
Defra publishes advice on the management of byways and
rights of way
Defra published on 19th January 2006 advice for Local
Authorities, the Police and Community Safety Partnerships on the maintenance of byways and the illegal use of motor vehicles
on rights of way.
Rural Affairs Minister, Jim Knight, said:
"It has become clear that many of those involved in enforcement
are unaware of the significant range of powers that already exist to tackle the illegal and irresponsible use of motor vehicles
on rights of way and in the wider countryside. There are others who have demonstrated, through imaginative and creative use
of these powers, that they can be successful if used effectively.
"The aim of the guidance is to share this good practice with local
authorities, the Police and Community Safety Partnerships and to encourage the formation of local partnerships to tackle the
continuing abuse.
"We must ensure that our byways and rights of way are protected
for the enjoyment of everyone who use these important parts of our countryside, now and in the future. "
'Regulating the use of motor vehicles on public rights of way
and off road' is the first step in providing information to Local Authorities, the Police and Community Safety Partnerships
on getting the most out of existing legislation, and to encourage the formation of local partnerships to tackle the continuing
abuse.
'Making the Best of Byways' will provide a practical reference
manual for authorities, land owners, contractors, volunteer groups, and others involved in the maintenance of unsurfaced vehicular
routes. Among other things, it provides advice on dealing with: conflicts between users; poor surface conditions; and increasing
pressure of use.
Both publications are available online at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/cl/mpv/index.htm
Be safe and be seen with BHS Herefordshire and Countrywide Stores' hi-viz competition
The
BHS Herefordshire Committee has teamed up with Countrywide Stores to launch a contest in the county to promote safer riding
on the roads.
All horse riders or carriage drivers need to do is wear hi-viz clothes while riding or driving out on the
roads. Countrywide Stores is sponsoring the initiative and offering a prize package consisting of a voucher for a bag of Countrywide
food for the winner, as well as a head collar and rope for their horse.
BHS Herefordshire will also give £5 to the lucky
winner each month.
Wearing fluorescent and reflective clothing can give vital extra seconds to car drivers - time that
can make the difference between life and death for you and your horse.
For more information, please contact Herefordshire
Press Officer Jo Gardner on 01981 250137
Source: British Horse Society 23 March 2006
The BHS opens first Toll Ride in Ireland
Henrietta
Knight, internationally renowned racehorse trainer, opened Ireland's first Toll Ride at The British Horse Society Ireland
and The Countryside Access and Activities Network's (CAAN) official launch for The Grey Abbey Estates 6.5km Equestrian Toll
in County Down on 1 March.
Working in partnership with CAAN and the BHS Ireland, Heather Hoffman, Northern Ireland's
Off Road Horse Riding Development Officer, said: "As the volume of traffic increases, our roads are becoming too dangerous
to ride on safely. We desperately need somewhere off-road to ride.
"We are very grateful to the Montgomery
family for allowing access to their private estate. And we must say a big thank you to Ards Borough Council who backed the
project along with East Border Region Partnership INTEREGG IIIa funding."
Susan Irwin, BHS Ireland's Development Officer,
said: "It has taken a lot of work over the past two years to get this trail off the ground, from the initial concept to the
actual trail design and finally getting all the funding in place.
"We are very pleased that we can now offer a safe place
for our members to ride. This is Ireland's first BHS
Toll Ride and we hope the first of many to come. We've already received interest from several other private estates so it's
all looking very positive."
The trail will open annually from March 1 to October 1 inclusive. However it will close every
winter for the shooting season for health and safety reasons. It will be open seven days a week, closing only for Sunday mornings.
For
more information please contact: Heather Hoffman on 028 9030 3934 or Heather@countrysiderecreation.com or Susan Irwin, BHS Development Officer on 028 9268 3801 or s.irwin@bhs.org.uk
Source: British Horse Society 3 March 2006
Shared Path for Pedestrians, Cyclists And Horse Riders
at A27, Berwick Roundabout, East Sussex
A shared path on the A27 Berwick Roundabout, East Sussex, has opened today
to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and horseriders.
The old combined footpath and cycle track was removed from
the roundabout and has been replaced with a new, wider path creating a shared foot and cycle path, which can also be used
by horse riders.
Simon Duke, the Highways Agency's area manager for Sussex said:
"The A27 is an important road and I am delighted
that we have been able to provide this new path which will improve the safety for pedestrians, cyclists and horseriders using
the A27."
Source:
Highways Agency (South East) 23
January 2006
Welsh routes improved
TWO access routes through forests in Wales
are to be resurfaced and made safer for riders, cyclists and walkers, thanks to a grant by waste management services supplier
Biffa.
The forests of Fawr and Ganol in Wales
will benefit from a £4,438 grant, which has been given to Safety and Facilities for Equestrians, which aims to establish safe off-road riding in the Cardiff woodlands.
Source: Horse & Hound Magazine 12
January 2006
'Horsecam' to catch bad drivers
Police say they will prosecute if offences
are committed
Horse riders in Leicestershire have become so fed up with inconsiderate drivers that they have decided
to catch them in the act - on film.
Riding Safely understands that Horsecam is not supported
by the BHS Safety Advisory Committee for a number of reasons and that the Leicestershire group are aware of their concerns. It has also been reported that some mounted police officers have also voiced concern
over this initiative.
______________________________________________________
Training Initiatives
The British Horse Society achieves automatic inclusion on the DfES Register of Learning Providers
British Horse Society 'Where to Train' Approved Establishments that offer training to students from outside
the EU are to be automatically listed on the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) Register of Learning Providers.
This will enable international students wanting to train in the equine industry to apply for visas, in order
to train at a BHS Approved Establishment Chris Doran, Senior Executive in the BHS's Approvals Department,
said: "This is a major step forward for BHS Approved Training Centres who wish to offer BHS training to international students.
This, in turn, will broaden the outlets through which overseas candidates may access the BHS System."
The BHS is continually looking for ways to encourage establishments to develop and enhance the benefits
of the Approvals Scheme.
For further information, please contact: Chris Doran, Approvals
Department, The British Horse Society,
01926 707794 / c.doran@bhs.org.ukBHS - 3 February 2006
______________________________________________________
People Welfare
Horse world gets ahead on child protection
New regulations stipulate stringent checks for instructors
and volunteers in equestrian sport as ABIGAIL BUTCHER reported in Horse and Hound on 12 January 2006……..
ALL new volunteers and instructors to the equestrian industry
who are likely to come into contact with
children under the age of 18 will be subject to stringent "vetting"
as part of a drive to increase child protection across the sport.
With effect from 1 January, a combined agreement between the British
Equestrian Federation (BEF) and its member bodies means all newcomers will be subject to a disclosure check.
This is a referral to a list, held by the Scottish Criminal Records
Office or the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) in England and Wales,
of people unsuitable and therefore disqualified from working with children aged under 18 or vulnerable adults.
"All new volunteers and trainers working with minors must be CRB-checked,
and on an ongoing basis, existing trainers will be checked - although the priority is newcomers," said Helen Huggett, BEF
executive officer.
"Everybody's really committed, it's such a hot topic, people want
to make sure they're absolutely right in everything they do. They're thinking it's another level of bureaucracy but also that
it's a very necessary one."
The move signals progression on behalf of equestrian sport, and
has been supported by Sport England and its Child Protection in Sport Unit - a joint venture with the NSPCC.
As a Sport England and UK Sport funding requirement, all sports
are required to reach a preliminary standard of child protection, but according to Sport England chief executive Roger Draper,
the BEF is well ahead of deadline.
"Sport England
is working to get more people involved in sport and is committed to providing quality opportunities for children to take part
in safety," said Draper. "We are working with the governing bodies of sport through the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit
to implement minimum standards across all sports. "The BEF has already achieved this. It has introduced a policy and has provided
details of how this will be implemented, with details about training and education." The policy has been agreed by BEF's 13
member organisations, which include the Pony Club, British Horse Society (BHS), BSJA, Association of British Riding Schools
(ABRS) and Scottish Equestrian Association (SEA). Although each member has had some level of child protection code in place,
individual approaches have varied until now.
The BHS has run child protection courses for its own staff, volunteers
and individuals since January 2002. Along with SEA, it is facilitating disclosure checks with the CRB for the horse industry
(see box below).
"It's law in Scotland
and I think we're certainly pre-empting the fact that it will become mandatory here before long," said Christine Doran, manager
of riding schools and approvals at the BHS. "We're here to facilitate checks for the BEF and its member bodies and for any
instructor who wants to apply to join the BHS register.
"The BHS child protection courses have been very popular."
The BSJA already CRB-checks instructors and volunteers working
with under-21 s, according to spokesman Jacky Knightly. "All our accredited coaches are checked already," she said. "We're
not really a 'tactile' sport, but you do give leg-ups to children."
British Dressage, British Eventing and the Pony Club have sent
instructors on the BHS's child protection courses since 2002, but are now also implementing the 1 January changes.
"Anyone who does anything for the Pony Club - new helpers at camp, District Commissioners, secretaries
and so on - will be asked to undertake a check," said Pony Club chairman Mary Anderson. "We need to cover our backs - it will
become law, I'm certain of that."
The ABRS requires riding school proprietors to ensure at least one member of staff has attended a child
protection course. It has its own child protection code, which is sent to every member school. Proprietors then return a full
staff list, complete with all qualifications. ABRS chairman Julian Marcazk commented:
"We are wholeheartedly endorsing and supporting the BEF position."
In Scotland, all new volunteers and staff working with children have had to be checked by
law under the 2003 Child Protection Act since March 2005.
"I was really worried about losing volunteers, but there hasn't been a drop-off at all," said Muriel Colquhoun,
honorary secretary of SEA. "There are many benefits for employers - disclosure checks look at any criminal offence, so the
employer knows the whole story.
"People have been absolutely fine about the checks - they are a pain because you have to supply all sorts
of detail such as passport numbers, driving licences and past addresses."
But Colquhoun warns of a forthcoming glitch in the system: "At the moment the checks are only for new
volunteers and employees. The problem I forsee is when we get into retrospective checking. I don't think
the CDB has taken on board how many volunteers there are in equestrian sport—it's going to be a nightmare."
|
Disclosure checks: how and where?
• THE BHS
(tel: 01926 707700 or www.bhs.org.uk) and SEA (tel: 01475 540687 or www.equinesport.org.uk/sea/web/) are both set up to facilitate disclosure checks
• THE BHS
facilitates checks for both instructors and volunteers; SEA can facilitate volunteer checks for its members only
• THE costs
of the checks are borne by the individuals, and from April 2006, these will be £40 for instructors and around £6 administration
fee for volunteers. SEA can facilitate volunteer checks for free
• DISCLOSURE
checks take about two to three weeks for paying individuals, and up to six weeks for volunteers
• VISIT www.crb.gov.uk or www.ccpr.org.uk for more information
|
Source: Horse & Hound Magazine 12 January 2006
A call for help: vets top UK suicide
rate
News that the suicide rate among vets is close to four times the
national average has prompted the formation of an industry-specific prevention task force.
The move, driven by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS),
follows statistics published in The Veterinary Record (1 October 2005).
According to Office for National Statistics data, vets are not only far more likely to take their own lives than the general
population, but have a suicide rate more than twice that of the medical profession and almost double that of dentists.
"This is going to be a no holds barred look at how we can improve
this tragic situation and reduce the suicide rate - to do nothing would be irresponsible," said Dr Wendy Harrison, an elected
member of the RCVS and vice-chairman of its education committee, now charged with chairing the first working group of its
kind within the industry.
After the first think-tank of representatives from veterinary
charities, the Samaritans, a specialist in addictive
diseases, vets and vet students, Harrison said one factor that
separated vets from other professions was their view of death (euthanasia) "as a way to prevent suffering of animals on a
daily basis".
Vet Helpline co-ordinator Austin Kirwan, a vet who focused his
Masters degree on euthanasia, said vets applied the same thought process to human life - most notably their own - if
suffering depression or stress.
Easy access to lethal substances was also
a factor, evident in the fact self-poisoning by solid or liquid substances was the most common cause of death of 75 suicides
recorded between 1979 and 2000. Dr Lydia Brown, a director of the Veterinary Benevolent Fund, said the
challenge was to raise awareness -stretching to clients, whom she said often called support programmes when concerned about
their vets.
"Fortunately or unfortunately, vets have a high IQ and, as a result,
are the kind of people who set very high standards for themselves - it's when they fall short of these standards that a lot
of stress-related illness and accidents occur," Brown said.
Working group recommendations cover workplace mentoring, an education
strategy, central coordination of support networks and improving workplace standards.
Source: Horse & Hound Magazine 19
January 2006
Union turns sights to stable lads
The T&G union is launching a drive to improve pay and conditions
for stable "lads and lasses" on the day the British Horseracing Board has its award ceremony for the industry's footsoldiers.
The media spotlight is on the industry after the suicides of a
number of stable lads in the Suffolk racing town of Newmarket.
Read more from BBC News Online at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4735460.stm
Source: BBC News
Online 21 February 2006
______________________________________________________
Horse Welfare
DEFRA pressed to keep faith with licensing
DON'T let the chance to license livery yards slip away," is the
cry from the horse world following the Animal Welfare Bill's passage to the Lords.
There is currently no requirement for livery yards to be licensed
in anyway, and the standards of care at DIY yards has been a growing cause for concern.
"DEFRA is still recommending livery yard licensing, but we must
keep evidence for it coming forward while an assessment of the costs for the scheme is undertaken," Lesley Barwise-Munro of
the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) told H&H.
The Animal Welfare Bill of England and Wales
is due an 18 April reading, having completed its passage through the Commons. Livery yard licensing is expected to form part
of secondary legislation drawn up next year.
"DEFRA is talking about making exemptions to licensing—such
as yards that have already sought BHS approval and Thoroughbred studs — but I worry about consistency. We must not have
different levels of licensing," added Mrs Barwise-Munro.
Another aspect of the Bill that has been greeted with scepticism
was a new clause on "improvement notices" added last week, to be served to horse owners suspected of neglect.
The notices would be served by an inspector from the state veterinary
service or local authority on an animal owner failing to provide the Bill's duty of care. But specific failure to comply with
a notice will not constitute an offence.
The International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) is
calling for the introduction of improvement notices and its veterinary advisor, Keith Meldrum, said: "I'm delighted the system
has been introduced, but I'm concerned that it's not legally enforceable."
A DEFRA spokesman said the notices are intended to "educate the
animal-keeping public", and that making non-compliance an offence would create further legal work and reduce the scope of
the Bill.
Source: Horse & Hound Magazine 30 March 2006
Education is the key to animal welfare says British Horse
Society Scotland
The key to protecting animals from unnecessary suffering is education,
according to The British Horse Society Scotland (BHSS).
Welcoming the Stage 1 debate on the Animal Health and Welfare
(Scotland) Bill taking place in the Scottish Parliament
on Thursday 23 February 2006, BHSS Development Officer Helene Mauchlen
said: "The Scottish Executive has taken a well-informed, science-based approach to modernising animal welfare law by protecting
animals for decades to come.
"However, we cannot rely on legislation and prosecutions to prevent
suffering. We still need to educate the public about how to care for animals."
As an educational charity, BHSS stands ready to help deliver the
essential information - at least as far as horses are concerned.
Mrs Mauchlen said: "We gave evidence to the Committee about our
input to the training of local authority animal health officers, and the Executive has acknowledged our role in its response. We look forward to building on that."
The BHSS urged the Executive to bring out its codes of animal
welfare (proposed under Section 34 of the Bill) as soon as practically possible.
Mrs Mauchlen said: "The key reform of the animal welfare part
is the introduction of a duty of care for animals (Section 22). Those owners
who don't understand the needs of their animals will have to learn - and those who should know about welfare, but disregard
it, will be committing an offence. We strongly support that at the BHS.
"But enforcement of that provision will depend on the welfare
codes as the blueprint for appropriate treatment. The BHSS is of course more than willing to help in the production of welfare
codes for horses.
Mrs Mauchlen continued: "Not everyone is aware, for example, of
the suffering that ragwort causes to horses. There is evidence that horses are
dying because this poisonous weed is insufficiently controlled.
"We are glad that the Minister, Ross Finnie MSP, has confirmed
that an owner who allows his horse to eat ragwort will be committing an offence under the welfare section. We would also like
him to use the codes or the new regulation-making powers (under Section 24) to address the serious problem of ragwort infestation."
BHSS experience shows that horses have been failed by the current
animal welfare legislation, the Protection of Animals (Scotland)
Act 1912. Horses can be left in situations of neglect or risk for a considerable
time before their condition provides the necessary evidence that they have suffered, and can legally be removed.
Mrs Mauchlen said: "It can be a fine line between irregular feeding
and death from starvation, or between low-level neglect of a horse's hooves and grossly overgrown, painful, deformed feet.
The new Bill takes away the need for welfare organisations to wait for the suffering to start, before they can act."
While welcoming the Bill, however, BHSS sounded a note of caution
on certain aspects. Part 1 of the Bill (Animal Health) provides extensive powers
for Ministers to order the slaughter of animals in the event of an outbreak of virulent disease.
"We are all aware of the devastating consequences of animal disease,"
said Mrs Mauchlen.
"But we do have a concern that slaughter powers should be used
very sparingly, and then only for susceptible animals. Again, prevention is the key - so we welcome the proposals for bio-security
codes and for licensing of livestock markets."
While welcomed by BHSS, the licensing of markets and other animal-related
activities including the operation of livery stables, as well as the new welfare offence, will impose financial burdens on
councils and welfare organisations charged with enforcement.
Mrs Mauchlen said: "A new approach to animal welfare is bound
to cost money, but the BHS is sure that - with sufficient investment in public education and training of enforcement officers
- it will pay dividends in the future."
For more information contact Helene Mauchlen, BHS Scotland: h.mauchlen@bhs.org.uk
Find out more about the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland)
Bill from the Scottish Parliament:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/bills/47-animalHealth/
ILPH calls for tougher laws on abandonment
GREATER powers to deal with abandoned horses are being called
for by a leading welfare organisation after the second reading of the Draft Animal Welfare Bill.
The International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) is
calling on the government to give welfare organisations more powers in abandonment cases and to make abandonment a specific
offence.
"If someone can't afford to keep an animal or it has come to the
end of its life and they can't afford to dispose of it, it may be abandoned. This is partially addressed, but there shouId
be a wider provision that allows us to take over," said ILPH veterinary advisor Keith Meldrum.
"The issue is at what stage can we assume legal ownership? We
would like a situation when, after three months of having an animal in our care, we can go to court to ask for transfer of
ownership."
The lLPH, RSPCA and the British Equine Veterinary Association
(BEVA) welcomed wider aspects of the Bill, and support from within the House of Commons during the 6hr debate on l0 January.
"We're really pleased with the way the debate went," said an RSPCA
spokesman. "There was cross-party support for the Bill and widespread support for the duty of care offence, which will help
reduce neglect of all animals - legally binding Statutory Improvement Notices (SINs).
SINs give police and welfare officers the right to ensure immediate improvements can be made to substandard horses
in particular."
In addition to the duty of care offence (a new legal requirement
for the keeper of an animal to provide a level of care), the ILPH has called for welfare conditions.
"SINs are frequently used on farm animals [under the Animals Miscellaneous
Act 1968], but that doesn't cover horses, "explained Meldrum.
"If a horse is being neglected, you can either give advice or
get it taken away. There's no halfway house where an inspector can serve a notice requesting that the animal be taken inside,
given more food and so on, which will have an immediate remedial effect."
The support for licensing livery yards received full support,
as did the government's plans to introduce registration of animal sanctuaries.
The British Horse Industry Confederation is producing a fact sheet
detailing recommendations for licensing and its renewal, to advise the standing committee taking the Bill forward.
"We're recommending livery yards be checked on an 18-monthly basis,
with a vet inspection every three years," said former BEVA president Lesley Barwise-Munro. "Riding schools shouldn't go beyond
a year for both welfare reasons and public safety."
The Bill is not expected to become law until the end of July,
after passing through committee sessions in the Commons and Lords.
A similar Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland)
Bill was introduced north of the Border on 5 October 2005 to amend the
Animal Health Act 1981. It is not expected to enter full parliamentary debate until the end of May.
Source: Horse & Hound Magazine 19 January 2006
Horses targeted in slashing attacks
POLICE investigating a spate of slashing attacks on horses in Wiltshire are baffled by the
nature of the crimes.
"I fail to understand how anyone could deliberately injure a horse, which to most owners is part the family,"
said acting Sergeant Andy Sexton, of Marlborough Police.
His comments followed two recent attacks - both taking place on the full moon weekend of 14-15 January
- adding to four similar attacks in the area last summer.
Police have not drawn a link between the incidents, but ask owners to "report anything suspicious".
The two recent attacks targeted a filly, slashed from the anus to vagina, at a property near Lockeridge,
and a seven-year-old Welsh section D gelding at a Burbage property, who suffered a puncture wound to his off-side. Both are
recovering.
Jean Stewart, owner of the gelding, Samahani, said her family had been shattered by the attack, discovered
by her 16-year-old daughter Ginette.
"It was a dreadful shock as he's very much part of the family," Stewart said.
The filly's owner, who asked not to be named, said: "I don't understand how anyone could do this."
Last year, horse behaviourist Gary Witheford's Westcourt Stables in Burbage were targeted on four separate
occasions in June, July, September and November.
Two fillies were slashed - both suffering the anus to vagina cuts - and a colt was slashed from the anus.
One of the fillies was targeted a second time, suffering a cut to her ribs.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Marlborough Police, (tel: 0845 408 7000) or Crimestoppers
(tel: 0800 555 111).
H&H vet Karen Coumbe advised horses could also suffer self-inflicted trauma (by rubbing against
fences or barbed wire), adding it could be difficult to distinguish an attack from a normal accident or injury.
Source: Horse & Hound Magazine 26 January 2006
Ragwort conviction
HORSE industry leaders have applauded a rare ragwort poisoning conviction,
reflecting danger wrought by the toxic weed, responsible for more than 1,000 horse deaths each year.
Appearing before Aberystwyth Magistrates Court on 14 February, a
53 year old man from Lampeter, admitted
causing unnecessary suffering to his Welsh Cob mare, who died after eating ragwort in her field. He was sentenced to 200 hours
of community service.
The conviction was welcomed by welfare groups and Liverpool University's Prof Derek Knottenbelt, who heads research into
the development of a blood test to detect ragwort poisoning in live horses.
"It sends out the message that if your horse dies of ragwort poisoning in
your own field, you are guilty of a crime and can be convicted," said Prof Knottenbelt, adding an accurate blood test would
lead to more prosecutions.
Britain last year experienced its worst ragwort plague in
more than 20 years —a problem linked to apathetic horse owners (news, 1 September 2005).
It is tipped to spread even further this year, prompting the BHS to schedule
a Ragwort Awareness Week (3-7 April) and an industry conference (27 April).
Source: Horse & Hound Magazine 23 February 2006
Stop the unnecessary suffering
Two emergencies have revealed disturbing variations in how police and firemen handle 999 calls involving
horses as ABIGAIL BUTCHER reported in Horse and Hound on 2 February 2006……..
HORSE & Hound and the British Horse Society (BHS) have joined forces to help improve the way police
and fire services deal with emergencies involving horses.
While the vast majority of correspondence received by H&H praises the way the emergency services deal
with equine incidents — two recent issues (see panel below) investigated by H&H have highlighted a lack of nationalised
guidelines.
"We don't for one minute question the professionalism and integrity of the police and fire
services, but we want to help them put protocols or guidelines in place to achieve the right balance between the safety of
officers and the public and the welfare of the injured animal," said BHS chief executive Graham Cory.
In one case, the South Wales Fire Service adhered too strictly to guidelines and a horse was eventually
destroyed because of its delayed rescue from a cattle grid. In the other, Northumbria Police called a marksman, rather than
a vet or hunt, to destroy a badly injured foal. Owners argue the marksman took too long to reach the scene, which caused the
foal unnecessary suffering.
As a result, the BHS is aiming to set up a working group with the Association of Chief Police Officers
(ACPO) and Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) with possible assistance from the British Equine Veterinary Association
(BEVA), International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) and the RSPCA.
Mr Cory continued: "We're aiming to talk to the police and fire services nationally—or work with
a local service to roll it out. We have already had very positive discussions with the Warwickshire Fire Brigade.
"We found working with the County Surveyors Society on SMA road surfaces, and with the RAF on low flying
aircraft, extremely beneficial, and both groups were glad of our help."
Instead of national guidelines on dealing with emergencies, each fire authority or police force has its
own standard, and while some have a proven system, with local agreements with vets, RSPCA officers and hunts, others do not.
"Animal rescue is an extremely complicated area," said Andrew Hargreaves, Wiltshire Fire Brigade assistant
divisional officer.
"How we deal with an incident would depend on the nature of entrapment and the value of the animal involved,
but the rules are not usually all that stringent, they're normally dabbed with a large dollop of flexibility.
"We wouldn't normally perform a rescue on an animal without an RSPCA officer being present."
In South Wales, protocol has already been changed as a result of Bomdidibom's incident (see box below — the cattle grid). But
it was because the fire brigade's control room insisted on following too stringently the inflexible protocol — for an
RSPCA inspector and then fire officer to assess the situation before an engine was sent out — that the horse had to
be destroyed.
"It was a particularly unfortunate circumstance and we could have dealt with it better,"
said Andy Maries, deputy chief fire officer for South
Wales.
"Our protocol was fixed with the RSPCA, and came from our experiences over time. We've been using it for
six years, and in about 700-800 rescues this is the first time we've had a problem.
"One of the reasons we're cautious is that we've been out to incidents when the RSPCA is too busy, performed
a rescue, called a vet and then get slapped with a bill several weeks later because the owners say they didn't call the vet."
Both Mr Maries and his chief fire officer have ensured protocols are more flexible and have
passed on lessons learnt to the Mid and West Wales and North Wales
— to the satisfaction of Bomdidibom's owners.
Mr Maries added: "We did stick too rigidly to protocol, and acknowledge we could have done better."
Police in Hampshire often deal with incidents involving New Forest ponies. According
to equine liaison officer DI David Collings, local forces have "tried-and-tested arrangements with vets and [Forest] Agisters"
— the latter being qualified to destroy injured ponies.
"But a vet will always be called over the RSPCA," he said. "If the animal has been struck by a car, the
vet is going to have the necessary equipment — humane killers and so on."
But Northumbria Police, involved in the "road accident" (see box below), do not have a local agreement
with vets and hunts on emergency callout, according to a force spokesman.
The spokesman said its procedures were "under constant review" but did not announce specific plans to
contact vets.
"These incidents aren't a one-off, but it's not a common scenario," said Paul Teesdale, ILPH chief field
officer and former chief inspector of Manchester Police mounted branch. "One of the big problems is that 99% of officers know
nothing about horses and I think the equine public expects them to know everything."
He added: "The welfare of the horse should be a priority. You would hope sense would prevail and that
a vet and hunt's number would be available in the control room so that something can be done very quickly. Putting a horse
down is a job for an expert."
Lesley Barwise-Munro, former BEVA president, commented: "Police are often wary of economics — people
always worry about who's going to pay the bill. But in critical situations, the overriding aspect should be the welfare of
the horse.
"Part of the [999] process should be to call a vet — a vet can assess a situation accurately and
we are trained to be able to sort out tricky situations."
|
The road accident
ON 3 January, a Thoroughbred mare was killed outright
after a collision with a van on the A696 at Higham Dykes in Northumberland. Her foal was trapped beneath the van and a fence,
still alive. It had two broken legs, a broken spine and was disembowelled.
The police accident log states that officers arrived
on the scene at 6.08am
and put a call out for a marksman at 6.09am. According to the log, the marksman arrived 40min later to dispatch the foal.
But there has been debate as to why the officer
did not call a vet. The owners were not traced at the time, despite the mare being freeze-branded and the foal microchipped.
Witnesses dispute the time it took for the marksman to arrive, and say repeated offers to contact local hunts and vets were
ignored.
The cattle grid
LAST November, 28-year- old Bomdidibom became
stuck in a cattle grid on his owner Geoff Adams's farm. Mr Adams's son Tim, a vet, dialled 999. Control room staff couId not
mobiIise a fire engine until the situation had been assessed by an RSPCA officer, followed by a fire officer.
Despite bypassing the RSPCA officer call-out (the
officer relied on the vet's opinion) these procedures took 3hr to complete. When the engine arrived, officers removed the
body of Bomdidibom, who had been relieved of his suffering.
|
Source:
Horse & Hound Magazine 2 February 2006
UPDATE: Police and fire review emergency
protocols
POLICE and fire services are looking at how they deal with emergencies involving equines following an H&H investigation.
The British Horse Society will work with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Chief Fire Officers
Association (CFOA) to agree a new set of national equine emergency guidelines.
Representatives from the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), RSPCA and International League for the Protection
of Horses (ILPH) will also lend their expertise.
"We already have a set of guidelines which were drawn up by the chairman of our welfare committee — which can
serve as a starting point for discussions," said BHS chief executive Graham Cory. "Both ACPO and CFOA are very willing to
cooperate."
Last month, H&H reported two incidents involving fire and police which led to prolonged suffering for a horse and
a foal (Stop the unnecessary suffering, 2 February). In both incidents, the animals' owners raised concerns over a lack of
protocol to help officers unused to dealing with horses in distress.
ACPO has now nominated North Yorkshire Police and the CFOA South Wales Fire Service to take part in talks. Mr Cory
estimates there will be a period of consultation — by this
summer — on resulting recommendations, before they are rolled out across the UK.
ILPH chief field officer Paul Teesdale said he is encouraged by the news.
"With increasingly centralised police control rooms, local knowledge has been lost," he said. "They need a list of
phone numbers for hunts, slaughterhouses and vets who can get to the scene quickly."
BEVA's Lesley Barwise-Munro said the move was a positive step forward.
"We need the welfare of the animals to be a higher priority and for emergency services to see it's appropriate and
important to contact a vet," she said.
Source: Horse & Hound Magazine 2
March 2006
Emergency funds target New Forest pony road toll
MORE than 130 New Forest ponies have been
killed in single vehicle accidents in the past two years, prompting urgent funding for the placement of 40mph speed indicator
devices (SID) on forest roads.
Sue Westwood, clerk to the Verderers of the New Forest—a
statutory body sharing management of the forest with the Forestry Commission — said it was tragic that road fatalities
involving ponies and livestock remained consistently high.
In 2005, 155 single vehicle accidents were recorded in the New
Forest, killing 64 ponies, eight cattle and seven donkeys, compared with 167 accidents in 2004 (resulting in the
deaths of 68 ponies, nine cattle and three donkeys).
In a bid to reduce the annual toll, Ms Westwood said the Verderers
had initiated a £11,800 project to install SIDs, earmarked for seven different sites and encouraging motorists to reduce their
speed.
The project was given the green light at the beginning of February,
thanks to a European Union funded LEADER+ grant worth £4,200, with the remainder pledged by the Verderers, New Forest District
Council, Hampshire Police, the Forestry
Commission and the New Forest Commoners'
Defence Association. "As part of the project, we will also be obtaining some witness appeal signs, similar to those used by
the police when seeking information on serious road traffic accidents," said Ms Westwood, adding that 20 of the 2005 fatalities
involved hit-and-run accidents.
"We want to reduce the number of commoners' animals killed in
road accidents—one is too many." According to 2005 statistics, the vast majority of accidents occurred at night (114),
involving 132 private cars or vans and three heavy goods vehicles, with 84 of the drivers described as local.
New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society chairman Gill Wright
welcomed the SID initiative, stressing that anything that helped reduce speed across the open forest ultimately protected
native ponies. "Normally speed is involved in the accidents," said Ms Wright. "We do put fluorescent collars on the ponies,
but they still get hit."
Inspector David Collings, who heads Hampshire Police equine liaison
officers' scheme, said the New Forest was a hot spot for accidents, prompting police to conduct driver
education campaigns.
Last year, 4,300 ponies, 2,700 cattle, l00 donkeys and 197 pigs
were turned out on the New Forest.
Source: Horse
& Hound Magazine 9 March 2006
Private horses exempt in new laws
NEW animal transport regulations have come into force in Scotland, making it compulsory to disinfect a vehicle used to transport horses and other livestock
after each journey. Privately owned horses are exempt.
"Cleansing and disinfection is necessary only where hoofed animals
other than horses, or fowl or poultry have been using the same trailer or lorry as horses or ponies," explained Helene Mauchlen,
British Horse Society (BHS) development officer for Scotland.
For more details, e-mail: h.mauchlen@bhs.org.uk
Source: Horse & Hound Magazine 23 February 2006
Owners must plan horse’s retirement
Redwings Horse Sanctuary is urging owners to prepare for their
horse’s retirement well in advance, and offers a number of solutions on its website.
Find out more about horse retirement from Redwings Horse Sanctuary
and The International League for the Protection of Horses through the Horse & Hound online article at:
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/80887.html
Source:
Horse & Hound Online (Anna Tyzack) 24 February
2006
Breathing problems more common than ever
A new study has found that as many as one in six horses suffers
from Respiratory Airway Obstruction (also known as COPD or heaves).
The research, funded by the Home of Rest for Horses, also established
that many equines were kept in poorly ventilated stables surrounded by fodder and bedding — a challenge to the respiratory
tract of any horse.
Read more >>>
Source:
Horse & Hound Online (Holly Kirkwood) 25 January 2006
______________________________________________________
Fire
Horses injured in suspected arson attack
TWO horses fighting for their lives after an arson attack will need weeks
of treatment, according to vets.
Brassic,aged 22, and stablemate Jack suffered serious smoke inhalation in the blaze at Pumphouse Farm, Banwell, near
Weston- super-Mare early on New Year's Day.
Both horses are being treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs
at Bristol University's equine hospital.
The animals are much loved in the
village, where Brassic, in particular, has played a big role in the village carnival and charity fundraising.
Their owner, Chris Attwood, has spoken of his family's horror at the New
Year's Day attack, which killed five pigs, two goats and six geese.
Vet Alison Talbot
who, with fellow vet Louise Harvey, is caring for the two injured animals said: "We are giving
them supportive care. It is going to be a prolonged business — I think they are going to be in for some weeks. Infection is the main
problem to guard against."
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of arson and released on police
bail.
Meanwhile, newsagent lan Higbee is co-ordinating Banwell villagers' efforts
to raise money for the horses' vet care, likely to run into thousands of pounds.
Source: Horse & Hound Magazine 12 January 2006
Australian Horse Industry Council re-releases fire alert
The Australian Horse Industry Council has today (26 January 2006)
re-released to members on its Horse Emergency Contact Database an alert - “Bushfires are a threat to many horse properties.
Are you prepared?” - first published 21
February 2005.
Go to the Alert >>>
This item is included as Riding
Safely has a global readership.
______________________________________________________
Accidents
No one likes
an accident. Those featured in this section come from media sources and often lack the detail of the circumstances that may
have contributed to the tragic outcomes. Even so, by being aware of the types of accidents that have happened in the past
may help to prevent similar accidents occurring in the future.
Jockey Club to investigate deaths
Five horses died during racing on Thursday at Cheltenham
The Jockey Club is launching a review of safety procedures at
the Cheltenham Festival after nine racehorses died during the four-day programme.
Read more from
BBC News Online (17 March 2006) at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/4815804.stm
|
Related
Article:
Head
to head: horse race deaths
Some 370 horses die racing yearly,
say campaigners.
Nine horses are dead after the final
race at this year's Cheltenham Festival - the highest toll for 10 years.
Animal welfare campaigners want high
risk races to be banned and are calling for the organisers to resign, but the racing industry insists horses are well-treated
and enjoy the events.
Read more from BBC News Online (18 March 2006) at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4819716.stm |
Police warning after horses stray on roads
POLICE are warning owners to be extra vigilant following
the deaths of three horses in road collisions in Kent and Devon.
Devon police are considering taking action against the owners
of two horses killed in a collision with a car near Totnes last Thursday. The horses had strayed on to the A381 and were hit by a car at about 4.30pm.
The driver escaped with only minor injuries.
Police are now considering whether to report the owners for allowing their horses
to stray on to the highway.
PC Graham Temple, who attended the scene, said: "It is most unlikely
that owners would deliberately allow their animals to stray, but they do have a responsibility for the safety of their animals and road users.
In this instance, not only were two horses sadly killed, but the car driver was injured and distressed and her car written
off.
"The accident also led to the A381 being closed for
more than an hour at peak travelling time, causing chaos to road users and the small communities living off minor
lanes, which became gridlocked."
At 6.40pm on 29 December, a pony was killed after a
being hit by a car on the A224 near Orpington in Kent, where it was running loose with six other horses. The car's three occupants
sustained only minor injuries, but the pony was put down by a vet at the scene.
Police attending the scene called a local BHS welfare
officer to assist with catching and containing the remaining six horses.
"We were able to get them into a nearby field. The owner said they had
been let out of their field for the second time in a week," said the officer, adding: "I get called to about four or five incidents a week;
loose horses on the road are quite a problem in Kent."
Straying animals are a particular problem in winter
months, according to PC Temple.
"They look for greener pastures, and it takes up a lot of police time trying
to locate owners and getting animals off roads back into fields," he said. "Owners must ensure that animals are properly secured
and have adequate forage and water."
Source: Horse &
Hound Magazine 12 January 2006
The following accident relates to the farming community rather
than to the horse industry. However, tractors and ATVs (quad bikes) are frequently
found around equestrian establishments and the advice provided by the Health & Safety Executive is equally applicable
to those establishments.
Farming community warned about young peoples' safety after
teenager loses limb
The Health & Safety Executive is warning the farming community
to make sure young people on their farms are safe. This warning comes after an
incident last year when a teenager lost his leg while riding on a tractor.
John Marshall, HSE's Principal Inspector Agriculture for Leicestershire,
said:
"This was an horrific accident which has ruined a young man's
life. Every year too many people, including children and young people,
are either killed or seriously injured in appalling incidents involving transport on farms.
Many of these tragedies could be easily prevented by sensibly managing risks.
The people best placed to do that are farmers and their staff, working together to improve health and safety in this
critical area."
At a Leicestershire farm on 1 September 2005, a 16-year-old
boy slipped while trying to climb onto a tractor that was being driven by the farmer's 14-year-old son. He was caught in the
power harrow being pulled by the tractor, and his leg was so badly damaged that it had to be amputated below the knee by surgeons. Inspectors from HSE's Agriculture Sector investigated this serious incident.
Today the farmer pleaded guilty to a breach of section 3 (1) of
the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Magistrates at Leicester
fined him £5,000 and allowed full prosecution costs of £1,200.
Transport activities account for the largest number of fatal accidents
on farms, with two-thirds of such incidents occurring between May and October. Few
tractor drivers have received proper instruction and training, despite the fact that tractors are involved in many fatal incidents
on farms.
On the farm, many transport-related injuries could be prevented
simply by ensuring that pedestrians and vehicles are separated. And it
is especially important to keep children away from moving transport.
John Marshall added:
"Dealing with transport safety can seem quite daunting, but if
you break it down into the three elements of "safe driver, safe vehicle, safe site", it becomes much more manageable. Many
incidents are the result of a combination of factors, so it is important to consider them all.
"Some simple points to remember are:
· Ask yourself:
Is it legal for my child to be on this vehicle? Children under thirteen must not drive tractors.
· Ensure
that children are kept away from manoeuvring vehicles.
· Remind
children that just because they can see a vehicle doesn't mean the driver can see them.
· Sit-astride
ATVs must not carry passengers.
· Suitable
helmets on ATV drivers can save lives.
· Is your
child really capable of driving an ATV safely?"
Further Information
1. Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974:
"It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable,
that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety."
2. Guidance on managing risks to child safety on farms, ATVs and
other health and safety issues is available free from the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture or HSE's Infoline 0845 345 0055. The 'Child Safety in Agriculture' section of HSE's website is at http://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/survey2004, and free publications on preventing accidents to children on farms are available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/agindex.htm; this includes the leaflet 'Fatal traction: Practical advice on
avoiding agricultural transport accidents' http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg279.pdf
Source:
Health and Safety Executive (East Midlands) 22 February
2006
Doing so may save a life or a lifetime of incapacity
______________________________________________________
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) news
Free advisory service on health and safety for small businesses
goes live
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath today (27 February 2006) launched Workplace Health Connect, a new free
advisory service on workplace health for smaller businesses: "This new confidential advisory service for small businesses
offers cost-effective and simple solutions to help cut workplace injuries and ill-health. It is simply unacceptable that UK
small businesses incur major costs because they are unaware of effective and efficient solutions to manage health and safety."
Delivered in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive, the service
aims to reduce the incidence of workplace ill health, which leads to 28 million working days lost, at an estimated cost of
£10 billion to the UK economy.
Geoffrey Podger, Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Executive, said:
"Smaller businesses have always driven the UK economy forward
and we want to give them every opportunity to continue this role. However, workplace ill health is costing small businesses
up to 10% of their total payroll costs, which can put real downward pressure on their bottom line. We therefore want to help
small business stop workers becoming ill at work and help them to get back to work as soon as possible, if they do, which
is ultimately why we have launched Workplace Health Connect."
Workplace Health Connect will provide free, impartial and practical advice
and support on health, safety and return to work issues. Small businesses in England
and Wales can access the service via an Advice line (0845
609 6006). Where needed, this will be followed up by workplace visits from qualified Workplace Health Connect advisers.
These visits are available in London, the North East, the North
West, South Wales and the West Midlands. Whilst the Advice line will be available for any employer, manager or worker working for smaller business
within England and Wales,
workplace visits are only available in five regions for the present. These regions cover some 40% of smaller businesses. It
is proposed to extend the service in early 2007 to provide service coverage for some two thirds of smaller businesses in England
and Wales.
Workplace Health Connect advisers are able to advise on a range of issues
that can affect workplace health including: poor manual handling technique, incorrect use of chemicals, poor hygiene in the
workplace, working in dusty or noisy environments and working at a badly set up workstation.
The Workplace Health Connect service is designed to help tackle and reduce
the incidence of work related ill-health in England and Wales
and principally lead to a 6% reduction in the incidence rate of workplace related ill-health and a 9% reduction in the number
of days lost due to injuries and ill-health. The service will be delivered in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive.
The Advice line, which covers England
and Wales, will give free, detailed and tailored practical
advice to callers - both smaller business employers and workers - on workplace health, safety and return to work issues. (Smaller
businesses are defined as employing between five and 250 people.)
Healthy Working Lives (formerly Safe and Healthy Working) is available
to smaller businesses in Scotland, offering a similar service
to Workplace Health Connect. The service can be accessed on 0800 019 2211 - see
http://www.healthscotland.com/hwl.
A Workplace Health Connect website explaining the service can be accessed
at
http://www.workplacehealthconnect.co.uk.
The Advice line will encourage employers in the five regions to take up
the offer of a workplace visit. Where employers want to take up the offer, they will be referred to the appropriate regional
problem-solving service to make arrangements for the visit.
A key aim of the workplace visits will be to transfer knowledge and skills
to employers. Advisers will spend time getting to know the business and identifying any potential health or safety issues
in the workplace. They will provide advice on the best way of combating these and develop a plan with the employer for improving
the way risks to health and safety are managed in the workplace. A written report will summarise findings and an action plan
for resolving issues identified. Clients will also be offered a follow-up visit offering further support. Where necessary,
employers will be signposted to specialist support.
Source:
Health and Safety Executive (National) 27
February 2006
Accident Reporting
Confused about reporting work-related accidents, diseases and
dangerous occurrences under RIDDOR? (The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations).
Well, help is at hand with a leaflet produced by the HSE which
tells businesses which incidents they need to report and how to report them easily.
Find out more from the HSE at:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/misc310.pdf
|
Related Article:
Survey finds that most farm accidents are not reported to HSE
THE vast majority of accidents suffered while working on farms are never reported to the Health and Safety Executive,
according to a new survey published.
While 40 per cent of farmers told
the Farmers’ Union of Wales survey that they had suffered an injury while working,
almost 90 per cent said they did not report it to the HSE.
FUW President Gareth Vaughan commented that reporting accidents to the HSE (possibly via a third party like
the union) could lead to detailed statistics being built up over a period of time to highlight the main danger areas for farmers,
resulting in action being taken to minimise future risks.
More about the survey at: http://www.fuw.org.uk/press_releases/eng_press_releases_003.htm
Reporting accidents under RIDDOR is also important for
equine businesses. Apart from being a legal requirement,
reporting can identify where the key industry risks lay and lead to action to minimise those risks. |
HSE Produces new guide to employers' liability cover
The HSE has produced a new guide explaining employers' liability
insurance requirements (16 January 2006).
The new guide covers:
· What is
employers’ liability insurance?
· Do I need
employers’ liability insurance if my employees work abroad or my company is based abroad?
· Which
insurance companies can sell me employers’ liability insurance?
· Can my
insurance policy contain conditions?
· Can the
insurer make me pay part of any claim for compensation?
· How much
cover will I need?
· Do I need
to tell my employees that I have employers’ liability insurance?
· Does the
law apply to me?
· Do I need
employers’ liability insurance for all the people who work for me?
· Do I need
to keep copies of certificates of insurance which are out of date?
· What happens
if I do not have employers’ liability insurance?
· Where
can I go for further information?
Go to - HSE - Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 - A guide
for employers
______________________________________________________
Legislation Update
Major fire safety reform - Government gives stakeholders
more time to prepare
The Government is to give business and fire safety experts more time to get ready for
new regulations.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has put back the coming
into force of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, made in June 2005, which will affect all non-domestic premises in
England
and Wales. A new date will be announced as soon
as possible. (This has subsequently been announced and will be 1 October 2006)
The
ODPM Minister responsible for fire safety Jim Fitzpatrick said today (12th December) in a written statement:
"During
the passage of the Order it was of concern to the House that business and enforcers should have adequate time to familiarise
themselves with the new regime and the guidance that will accompany it and that the coming into force date should, so far
as practicable, be timed to coincide as closely as possible with reform of fire safety laws in Scotland.
Despite extensive
work with stakeholders it is clear that all the guidance documents will not be ready for a full 12 week gap between publication
and coming into force on 1 April 2006.
In the light of the commitments
we have given to the House and our commitment to ensuring this reform is properly backed, we have therefore concluded that
the coming into force of the substantive provisions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order should be put back."
The
Government will now bring an Order, under article 52 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, to amend the coming
into force date of the new regime before the House as quickly as possible.
Recently, the Scottish Authorities announced
that more time should be allowed for reform North of the Border and the new rules in Scotland
are now expected to come into force in October 2006 at the earliest.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Health
and Safety Spokesperson, Mary Boughton, said:
"This is an important reform and it is therefore vital that it is implemented
successfully. People's lives could depend on it. Many of our members will be ready for the original date, which
will mean that they will be compliant well in advance, but it also allows those that are coming to terms with this reform
on top of their everyday business concerns more time to comply and to seek advice where necessary."
The ODPM is working
with stakeholders on a publicity strategy to raise awareness of the new laws amongst those affected. There will
also be a series of guides published to assist those preparing fire risk assessments. More information is available at
http://www.firesafetyguides.odpm.gov.uk
Explanatory Notes:
1. As part of the Government's commitment to reduce death, injury and damage
caused by fire, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has reviewed current fire safety law; and is making a number of changes
through the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO).
2. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 was approved
by Parliament on 7 June 2005.
3. The main effect of the changes
will be a move towards greater emphasis on fire prevention in all non-domestic premises, including the voluntary sector and
self-employed people with premises separate from their homes.
4. Fire certificates will be abolished and will cease
to have legal status.
5. The Fire Safety Order will apply in England
and Wales. Northern Ireland
and Scotland will have their own laws.
6. Responsibility
for complying with the Fire Safety Order will rest with the 'responsible person'. In a workplace, this is the employer and
any other person who may have control of any part of the premises, e.g. the occupier or owner. In all other premises
the person or people in control of the premises will be responsible.
7. If there is more than one responsible person
in any type of premises, all must take all reasonable steps to work with each other.
8. If you are the responsible
person you will have to carry out a fire risk assessment which must focus on the safety in case of fire of all 'relevant persons'.
It should pay particular attention to those at special risk, such as the disabled and those with special needs, and must include
consideration of any dangerous substance likely to be on the premises.
9. Your fire risk assessment will help you identify
risks that can be removed or reduced and to decide the nature and extent of the general fire precautions you need to take
to protect people against the fire risks that remain.
10. If you employ five or more people you must record the significant
findings of the assessment.
11. The new rules are based on the 1997 document "Fire Legislation for the Future" and
were developed with stakeholders from the fire industry, unions, business interests and others. A consultation took
place in June 2002 with documents being sent out to around 10,000 businesses, government departments, unions, trade bodies
and other interested parities.
12. Responsibility for enforcement of the new rules will be with the local fire and
rescue service authority who will carry out regular inspections with top priority going to those premises presenting most
risk to the community. They are able to do this within the context of the new Integrated Risk Management Planning (IRMP),
part of the Governmentt's modernisation agenda for the FRS.
13. For more than 40 years, the fire and rescue
service provided cover for fires according to recommended standards. These standards dated back to 1947 and were based on
property types within a given area.
14. Integrated risk management has shifted the focus in planning to put people
first, looking at the risks arising from all fires and other emergency incidents, and at the options for reducing and managing
them.
15. Before making each change, fire and rescue authorities have
undertaken, and will continue to do so, wide consultation with their local communities.
Issued
on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister 12 January 2006
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Website: http://www.odpm.gov.uk
______________________________________________________
Legal Cases
Some may find the following case amusing in context....
But it certainly wasn’t amusing for the injured employee
who suffered pain and loss of earnings. Equally it wasn’t amusing for her
employer who suffered the visible compensation payout, the hidden costs and associated stress and the potential negative publicity.
Although this case is not directly equestrian related, it
could happen anywhere where there are office staff and that could well be in the equestrian industry.
The HSE in their Better Business campaign
reiterate “Good health and safety
in the workplace is good business. Accidents and ill health caused by work cost time and money. A good health and safety regime
for your business ensures your hard earned profits stay in the bank and are not spent on accident or illness related problems,
each time they happen. This means more money for you.”
How is this possible? Find out more from the HSE >>>
Insurance damages for form trip
An insurance worker from Fife has won compensation after she tripped and fell over a pile
of accident claim forms. She claimed her employer,
Norwich Union had a duty to provide a safe system of work and the untidy files presented a danger.
Read more from BBC News Online
(25
January 2006) >>>
____________________________________________________
Looking Forward - Diary Dates
The British Horse Society targets major landowners in
campaign to raise ragwort awareness
The British Horse Society is to launch its 2006 Ragwort Awareness Campaign
at a Ragwort Awareness Conference - featuring keynote speakers Professor David Bellamy and Professor Derek Knottenbelt - in
London
on Thursday 27 April.
The conference will aim to educate local authorities and other major owners of land about the existing
laws and the dangers that ragwort, a poisonous weed, poses to grazing animals and human health.
The day is to feature
informative presentations from leading experts including well-known botanist and conservationist Professor David Bellamy and
the UK's leading ragwort expert Professor Derek Knottenbelt.
The
BHS was instrumental in the formation of the Ragwort Act 2003 and the codes of practice introduced alongside the legislation,
which amended the existing Weeds Act. However the number of calls from the public about the spread of ragwort in their counties
has made the BHS's Welfare Department recognise the need for a conference on this issue for major landowners.
BHS Chairman
Patrick Print said: "Education is our main weapon in fighting the scourge of ragwort. For this vital conference to have maximum
impact, we would like to encourage members of the public to urge their local councillors, MPs and major landowners in their
counties to attend to learn more about ragwort."
Professor Knottenbelt said: "The burgeoning of ragwort across the UK
is not only a hazard for horses and other grazing animals. It has potentially serious human implications and is an environmental
disaster in the making."
The conference is by invitation only. However, interested parties are welcome to apply for a place
- by emailing h.owens@bhs.org.uk or contacting the Welfare Department on 01926 707839.
Places are limited and will
be allocated on a first-come basis. Tickets are free and lunch will be provided for delegates.
For further information,
please contact: Helen Owens, Senior Executive Welfare, The British Horse Society, 01926 707804 or h.owens@bhs.org.uk
The British Horse Society lets grooms have their say
The British Horse Society is launching a new initiative giving
grooms the opportunity to voice their opinions and discuss the direction their profession is taking.
The idea was developed after the BHS was approached by a number
of grooms wanting to express their views and ways to move forward.
Margaret Linington-Payne, the BHS's Director of Standards, said:
"We are delighted to have been approached to host this forum. Grooms are vital to the equine industry and many feel they are
undervalued. If we can do anything to help raise their profile and support them in moving forwards we will be happy to assist."
The BHS will be hosting the forum at their headquarters at
Stoneleigh Deer Park, Warwickshire, on June 1.
There are limited spaces available and early application is advisable.
Grooms, and those who employ and/or train grooms are welcome to apply for a place at the forum. Entry is free and light refreshments
will be provided. Applications can be sent to training@bhs.org.uk
The day will give grooms and those closely involved with them
the chance to discuss the current position of the profession and how it could move forward.
For further information, please contact the BHS Training Office
on 01926 707799 or email training@bhs.org.uk
Association of British Riding Schools Annual Conference
The ABRS will be holding their Annual Conference in London on 16 & 17 October 2006.
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Ongoing......
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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Featured Website
Each month Riding Safely features a website that contains health, safety or environmental information
that may be useful.
This month the focus is on the Leaflets Section of the BHS website. With the recent launch of their redesigned
website the BHS has now made available for download many of the leaflets that were only available in paper format. Here
you'll find over 50 downloadable leaflets on everything from road safety and horse welfare all the way through to wind farms.
Well worth a look!
The following leaflets were added during January and February 2006:
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A brief introduction to the sport of BHS TREC, with handy contact details
for finding out more. |
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News of other Websites
Association of British Riding Schools - ABRS
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Business Essentials
Need to know if you're doing enough to comply with health, safety and environmental
requirements? Then this section is for you. The information in this section will be repeated and updated each
month with the latest updates highlighted in yellow.
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Reference Essentials
With so much information around it's sometimes difficult to know what to keep on your bookshelf.
Riding Safely helps by bringing you some of the most useful health, safety, environmental and welfare information freely available.
The information in this section will be repeated and updated each month with the latest updates highlighted in yellow.
Equine Industry Welfare Guidelines
Compendium
The Equine Industry Welfare Guidelines
Compendium is the first document of its kind to set out the minimum standards of care required to appropriately look after
a horse.
The Compendium does not form a statutory
code but is agreed by the industry to be the recommended best practice and where relevant legislation is applicable, it is
highlighted in shaded boxes.
It has assisted many groups of people
including prospective horse owners, horse owners / keepers, veterinary surgeons, police officers, welfare inspectors and trading standards inspectors in achieving high standards of horse care, husbandry and welfare.
The Compendium has been successfully
used in Court as a legal referral document to aid those who are prosecuting people for neglect or cruelty to the horse by
clearly identifying the industry agreed best practice.
The Equine Industry Welfare Guidelines
Compendium can be downloaded from http://www.newc.co.uk/codes/industry.php
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It's a good job horses aren't required to have number plates......
Apology over 'speeding' tractor
A farmer from Wiltshire has received an apology after he was accused of doing
85mph on his tractor in South Wales.
Read more from BBC News Online (19 January 2006) >>>
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What's new on the site?
The Riding
Safely website is frequently updated. The easiest way for you to check out what's been added on a day-to-day basis is to
visit the website update section >>>
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Subscription Information
Riding Safely is
a free subscription newsletter with the aims of promoting and improving equestrian safety.
If you’d like future editions of the
Riding Safely newsletter emailed to you then click on the link below.
Please add me to your free email subscription list
Your e-mail address will only be used for the
purpose of letting you know about Riding Safely updates. It will not be used for any other purposes whatsoever or passed onto
third parties. |
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Check out previous news items
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Let Riding Safely know.......
 If you have any safety related equestrian Press Releases or News stories then please
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All
Horse & Hound items that are reproduced in this newsletter are done so with the permission of and are copyright of
Horse & Hound/IPC Media
Riding Safely is not responsible for the content of external
internet sites
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