|
What are the health & safety issues that concern
you most? List them in the Forum
______________________________________________________
News
BETA takes safety message to Game Fair
Celebrity show jumpers wearing body protectors in TV’s Only
Fools On Horses prompted an influx of enquiries at the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) stand during the CLA Game
Fair.
BETA devised and administers the internationally recognised BETA
Body Protector Standard, as well as training retailers in the correct fitting of equestrian safety garments.
“The number of falls the celebrity riders took certainly
illustrated the value of wearing a well-fitting body protector. They managed to look rather glamorous in them too,”
said Claire Williams, BETA’s executive director.
Visitors to the BETA stand were able to obtain details of their
local BETA-trained specialist retailers who can advise on the fitting and selection of body protectors and riding hats.
Held at Broadlands in Hampshire, this year’s CLA Game Fair
again featured a busy Hooked on Horses area focussing on equestrian interest. “We were able to remind a wide cross section
of people that looking for the BETA sign is the best way to ensure reliable service and quality advice when shopping,”
added Claire.
Sarah Stevens, an apprentice saddler at Gloucestershire based
Stroud Saddlery, a BETA Retail Member, was also on the BETA stand giving live bridle-making demonstrations.
For more details, contact BETA on 01937 587062 or visit www.beta-uk.org
Source: BETA – 2 August 2006
How green is my valley?
The safety of equestrians when riding or driving close to wind
farms and wind turbines has resulted in many differing opinions from the horseworld.
Whatever your views, renewable energy sources are here to stay
and will increase in the forthcoming years.
The Government's recent Energy Review outlined plans for another
big push on renewables up to 2020 and progress on their development can now be easily tracked via a dynamic DTI web facility
that has recently been launched.
On and offshore wind farms, solar power schemes, hydro electric
and biofuel projects across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales can all now be located at the click of a mouse.
Commenting on the new resource, Minister for Energy, Malcolm Wicks
said:
"Due to the twin concerns of climate change and security of supply
we stated in the Energy Review that we want to increase five fold the amount of renewable energy capacity we have in the UK.
"The aim is for 20% of our electricity to come from clean, green
energy sources by 2020 and that means a significant number of new schemes springing up. The interactive map that is going
live today will allow users to monitor progress and will provide them with details of all the different types of projects
being developed across the British Isles."
The site gives descriptions of the projects, along with their
status - approved, under construction, operational etc - and their installed capacity.
The site also contains quarterly reports providing separate statistical
updates on the delivery of renewable energy schemes in England,
Northern Ireland, Scotland
and Wales.
"Wind energy is leading the renewables revolution in the UK,
and the DTI's new dynamic map will be an excellent source of information for all renewable energy enthusiasts."
While many equestrians won’t fall into the category of “renewable
energy enthusiasts” the website will provide them with details of proposed schemes in their areas.
The Interactive map of UK
renewable energy locations can be found at: http://maps.restats.org.uk
Original Source: Department of Trade and Industry – 26 August 2006
______________________________________________________
Horse Industry Strategy News
Horse organisations set up communications network
More than a dozen equine organisations have established a network
to improve communications with each other, the media and the public - in line with recommendations in the British Horse Industry
Confederation's Strategy for the Horse Industry in England and Wales.
The Equine Communicators Network (ECN) has been set up to provide
a forum for those working within communications in the horse industry. The full agreed proposal is attached. Oliver Wilson,
Director of Communications of The British Horse Society, has been confirmed as inaugural Chairman of the Group until July
2007.
British Dressage, British Eventing, the British Equestrian Federation,
British Equestrian Trade Association, British Equestrian Vaulting, British Equine Veterinary Association, The British Horse
Society, the British Horseracing Board, British Show Jumping Association, the International League for Protection of Horses,
Riding for the Disabled Association and the British Horse Driving Trials Association have formed the Network - agreeing a
package of measures.
Mr Wilson said: "All of us in the newly formed Equine Communicators
Network are pleased to have established a cross-industry consensus on how best to communicate with each other, our members,
the media and members of the public. I am very grateful to all the member bodies of the ECN and Defra for their support."
Annie Dodd, British Horseracing Board nominee Director of the
BHIC, said: "Patchy communication between the various parts of the horse industry has been much criticised in the past. This
group will help us work together more effectively and make the most of opportunities such as the new website."
The Confederation's website - www.bhic.co.uk - was relaunched with a host of new features at the National Equine
Forum in March 2006. The site includes useful background information about the horse industry including the progress with
the Strategy, careers and education, equestrian tourism, horse sport and voluntary opportunities. A link to a central media
events diary under development by the BEF will be added shortly.
Read more about the full text of the agreed proposal at: http://www.bhic.co.uk/about/pressarchive/news.php?15
Source:
British Horse Society - 30 August 2006
______________________________________________________
Appointments
The British Horse Society invites BEF discipline chairmen
to become BHS Vice-Presidents
Patrick Print FBHS, Chairman of The British Horse Society, has
written to the Chairmen of the BEF, BD, BE, BSJA, Pony Club and RDA, inviting them to become BHS Vice Presidents.
Explaining the BHS Board’s decision, Mr Print said: “The
Trustees wish to build on the recent trend of improving relations within the equestrian community.
“We recognise that the interests of all those within the
sport, at whatever level and in whatever discipline, are best served when the equestrian organisations work constructively
together in a spirit of good will. We also recognise that the BEF is proving
highly effective in fostering this sense of common purpose.”
He continued: “We are pleased that the differences of view
which arose between the BHS and some other organisations in past years have been set aside, to be replaced by a genuine desire
for co-operation and mutual assistance.
“We now wish to strengthen and give a degree of permanence
to this entente and have therefore invited the Chairmen of the BEF, the three Olympic disciplines, the RDA and The Pony Club
to become ex officio Vice-Presidents of The British Horse Society and to retain that office for the duration of their terms
in office in their own organisations.”
Mr Print explained that although the Office of Vice President
carried no specific responsibilities or obligations, except for those which the office-holder chooses to undertake, he hoped
and believed that alliances would be created between the BHS and the other organisations that would be beneficial to the equestrian
community as a whole.
Source:
British Horse Society - 21 August 2006
______________________________________________________
Roads, Byeways and Rights of Way
"Courses for horses" -
Highways Agency helps horseriders
28 July 2006 saw the opening of Black
Pond Bridleway Bridge,
which has been fully upgraded to equestrian standards to allow horse riders to safely cross the A3 near Esher Common in Surrey.
The Highways Agency, supported by the British Horse Society, has also recently
upgraded other bridleway bridges which cross the A3. The parapets have been raised from 1.6 metres to 1.8 metres and solid
infill panels have been put in place, so that the horses can't see the traffic underneath.
Children who are members of the pony club at Lower Farm stables were the first
to cross the bridge and received rosettes to mark the occasion.
Highways Agency project sponsor Tim Lyver said:
"We are very pleased to be able to improve safety on our bridges for local horseriders. To the untrained eye there
may be little difference to the bridge parapets but riders should definitely see the benefits of the upgrade."
|
Related Information
For general information about the Highways
Agency and its work, visit the Highways Agency website http://www.highways.gov.uk, or telephone the Highways Agency information line on 08457 50 40 30 at any time. (Calls
from BT landlines to 0845 numbers will cost no more than 4p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more.). |
Source: Highways
Agency South East Press Office – 28 July 2006
MoD and BHS hi-viz giveaway a huge success
The Ministry of Defence and British Horse Society high visibility
(hi-viz) equipment giveaway - aimed at riders and horse-owners in areas encountering problems with low flying helicopters
- has proved a great success.
Demand for the free equipment was unprecedented, with more than
4,000 applications received for the 750 sets available. Priority was given to
those riders in high-risk areas, who are especially vulnerable from being under the flight paths of MoD Low Flying Aircraft.
As a direct result of this avalanche of applications, the MoD
has funded an additional 550 sets of equipment which will be issued to those who are already on our waiting lists. They should receive their equipment by the end of August.
The campaign has highlighted the importance of wearing hi-viz
gear at all times, to Be Seen and Be Safe while out riding, whether on or off road, regardless of the time of year, time of
day or weather conditions.
V-Bandz supplied the equipment issued and offer an extensive range
of hi-viz clothing for horse and rider. They can be contacted via their web site www.v-bandz.com.
Sheila Hardy, BHS Senior Executive of the Safety Department, said:
"The BHS would like to thank everyone who took the trouble to contact us, and we are sorry that many people will be disappointed
at not receiving a free set.
"We will try to acknowledge every communication received, where
possible, but this will take time so we thank you for your patience."
For more information please contact Hilary Young, BHS Safety Administrator,
on 01926 707823 or modviz@bhs.org.uk
Source:
British Horse Society 26 July 2006
______________________________________________________
Horse Welfare
Defra reiterates Guidance on the dangers of ragwort
As the summer arrives, so does ragwort season. This innocuous looking yellow
flower is in fact a harmful weed which is one of the most frequent causes of plant poisoning of livestock in Britain.
Ragwort can have potentially fatal consequences to donkeys, horses, sheep and
cattle that graze.
Minister for Horses, Barry Gardiner, said:
"Ragwort poses a serious threat to horses and other livestock, but it also
makes an important contribution to the countryside, supporting wildlife and providing a particularly important habitat for
insects like the Cinnabar moth.
"Controlling ragwort must be about maintaining a sensible balance, and most
importantly making sure people are aware of the potential dangers and know how to effectively control and dispose of it."
Defra investigates complaints about the spread of ragwort and other injurious
weeds. In all cases, Defra would expect the complainant to have made contact with the owner/occupier of the land on which
the weeds are growing to resolve the matter informally, before making a complaint to Defra.
Complaints about injurious weeds are dealt with by the Rural Development Service
at Bristol (0117-959-8622).
|
Background and further information
1. Ragwort is one of five injurious weeds specified
in the Weeds Act 1959. If eaten, ragwort causes long-term cumulative liver damage in livestock and other animals, and can
have potentially fatal consequences. Exact numbers of deaths are difficult to determine as the liver needs to be dissected.
2. The Weeds Act 1959 empowers the Secretary of
State to take action to prevent the spread of Common Ragwort and the other four injurious weeds covered by the Act (Creeping
or Field Thistle, Spear Thistle, Curled Dock and Broad-Leaved Dock).
3. The Weeds Act does not make it an offence to
permit injurious weeds to grow on land. Under the Act, the Secretary of State has a permissive power to serve a notice on
an occupier of any land on which one of the five injurious weeds is growing requiring the occupier to take action to prevent
the weeds from spreading. The Act permits officials to enter land to inspect whether an enforcement notice has been complied
with. If an occupier has unreasonably failed to comply with the notice he or she shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction
liable to a fine. Where the occupier fails to take clearance action, the Secretary of State may take action to arrange for
the weeds to be removed and to recover the cost of doing so, if necessary through the courts.
4. The Ragwort Control Act came into force on 20 February 2004 and amends the Weeds Act. The Act enables the Secretary of State
to make a Code of Practice for the purpose of providing guidance on how to prevent the spread of Common Ragwort. Defra worked
with stakeholders, such as The British Horse Society, Wildlife and Countryside Link, Network Rail, the Local Government Association,
English Nature and the British Beekeepers Association to prepare the Code of Practice, which was published July 2004. Defra
published a further guidance note on disposal options for ragwort to complement the Code of Practice in September 2005.
5. Further details about Defra's enforcement
procedures can be found on the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/rds/weeds-act.htm |
Source: Department
for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (South West) 1 August 2006
______________________________________________________
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.
Horsewoman in Fatal Road Accident Named
A woman, who was killed when she was thrown from her horse near
Thame (Oxfordshire) on Sunday (27/08/2006), has been named.
She has been formally identified as 33 year-old Clare Clarke,
of Youens Road in Thame.
Police are appealing for information about the accident which
happened at 3.50pm.
Read more from ThameNews.Net
at: http://www.thamenews.net/readmore.asp?Content_ID=1617
Horse hit by driver
A WOMAN living near Wellington is appealing for help to trace a car driver who collided with her
horse.
Sam Derrick, was out riding along Gerbestone
Lane around 7.45pm on Thursday, August 10, when she
notices a silver 4x4 approaching her from the opposite direction.
Although Sam was fully visible and wearing a fluorescent vest,
the driver continued on past a passing point waving his arms for Sam to get out of the way or go back.
Although Sam couldn't move the driver kept coming at her and didn't
slow down.
She said: "I moved my horse as far over to the hedge as I could
but the 4x4 still hit her and on impact she span round so she was facing the same way as the car.
"To my horror the driver continued to drive forward driving into
her back legs.
Read more from Claire Ward-Willis
writing for the Somerset County Gazette (24 August 2006)
at:
http://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/display.var.891129.0.horse_hit_by_driver.php
Doing so may save a life or a lifetime of incapacity
______________________________________________________
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) news
“Get a life”, says HSC – London launch
The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has urged people to focus
on real risks – those that cause real harm and suffering – and stop concentrating effort on trivial risks and
petty health and safety. To help take this forward HSE today launched a set of key principles: practical actions that we believe
sensible risk management should, and should not, be about. The principles can be found at:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk
Launching the principles, Bill Callaghan, Chair of the HSC, said:
“I’m sick and tired of hearing that ‘health and safety’ is stopping people doing everyday activities
when at the same time others are suffering real harm and even death as a result of mismanagement at work.
“Some of the ‘health and safety’ stories are
just myths. There are also some instances where health and safety is used as an excuse to justify unpopular decisions such
as closing facilities. But behind many of the stories, there is at least a grain of truth – someone really has made
an irrational decision. We’re determined to tackle all three. My message is that if you’re using health and safety
to stop everyday activities – get a life and let others get on with theirs.”
The Haringey launch of the principles is taking place at Somerford
Grove Adventure playground in Tottenham where children and teenagers between 5 and 15 are actively encouraged to understand,
assess and take risks to help them develop essential skills for life. Somerford Grove is the only adventure playground in
the borough and provides a unique environment for children to learn about themselves and the world they live in.
Attending the launch at Somerford Grove, Health and Safety Inspector
Michael La Rose from the HSE, said, “Children encounter risk everyday and it is important that, through the activities
on offer at adventure playgrounds like Somerford Grove, they learn how to enjoy themselves but also stay safe.
“No one wants a world where children are wrapped up in cotton
wool. The HSE wants to make sure that myths are replaced with a sensible approach to risks in everyday life, providing protection
where it is really needed and the opportunity to have new experiences where the risks are responsibly managed.”
Sensible risk management IS
about:
•
Ensuring that workers and the public are properly protected;
•
Providing overall benefit to society by balancing benefits and risks, with a focus on reducing real risks – both
those which arise more often and those with serious consequences;
• Enabling
innovation and learning, not stifling them;
• Ensuring that those who create risks manage them responsibly
and understand that failure to manage real risks responsibly is likely to lead to robust action; and
• Enabling individuals to understand that as well as the right
to protection, they also have to exercise responsibility.
Sensible risk management IS
NOT about:
•
Creating a totally risk free society;
•
Generating useless paperwork mountains;
•
Scaring people by exaggerating or publicising trivial risks;
•
Stopping important recreational and learning activities for individuals where the risks are managed; and
•
Reducing protection of people from risks that cause real harm and suffering
Commenting on the principles Jonathan Rees, HSE Deputy Chief Executive,
said: “We want to cut red tape and make a real difference to people’s lives. We are already taking action to put
the principles into practice; last month we published new, straight-talking guidance on risk management, but we cannot do
this alone. That’s why I welcome the broad alliance of support for this initiative – organisations representing
employers, workers, insurers, lawyers, volunteers, health and safety professionals and many others who have made positive
contributions to our approach.
“These principles build on all of this and will hopefully
drum home the message that health and safety is not about long forms, back-covering, or stifling initiative. It’s about
recognising real risks, tackling them in a balanced way and watching out for each other. It’s about keeping people safe
– not stopping their lives.”
Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety
Executive by Government News Network London - 22 August 2006
|
Related
Information
· Five Steps to Risk Assessment and example risk assessments can be found on the risk management
web pages on the HSE website at: www.hse.gov.uk/risk. The pages are written in everyday language
for managers, not health and safety experts and include links to more information and a section for frequently asked questions.
· In 2005/06 212 workers were killed and 384 members of the public were killed following a workplace
incident. The latest injury statistics for 2004/05 show that during this period 150,559 major and over-3-day injuries were
reported. This period also saw 35 million working lost days overall (1.5 days per worker), 28 million due to work-related
ill health and 7 million due to workplace injury. Further information on HSE statistics can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/index.htm
· The HSC has overall responsibility for occupational health and safety regulations in Great
Britain. The commission consists of 10 people nominated by bodies with an interest in workplace
health and safety. They are sponsored by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). The DWP minister for occupational health
and safety is Lord Hunt of Kings Heath.
· The HSE and Local Authorities are the enforcing authorities that work in support of the Commission. HSE looks after
health and safety in nuclear installations, mines, factories, farms, hospitals and schools, offshore gas and oil installations,
the safety of the gas grid and the movement of dangerous goods and substances, and many other aspects of the protection of
workers and the public.
|
Stay safe on the farm
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) across the UK
has urged people in rural parts to make sure that children don't come to any harm on the farm - especially during the school
summer holidays that have just begun. Riding
Safely suggests that there are often similarities between the equipment and premises used for agriculture and equiculture
and so some of the following warnings may apply.
Farmers and farm workers may be tempted to let children on or
near tractors, combine harvesters or other agricultural machinery during the holiday period. Not only has it been illegal
since 1958 to allow children under 13-years-old onto agricultural machinery whilst it is in use, it is also extremely dangerous
to do so.
Peter Dodman, HSE's principal inspector responsible for agriculture
in the North East said that there was always the potential for accidents to happen on farms and that care should be taken
at all times to prevent circumstances arising where children could be killed or injured. He said:
"Sadly, the barn fire in Northumberland last November where two
boys tragically lost their lives shows what can happen.
"Between 1994 and 2004, there were 31 child deaths in the UK
in agriculture and that is 31 too many. There were more accidents in the spring and summer than during the winter months and
now that the summer holidays are here, it is even more important that children are kept safe from danger and that the farm
yard is not used as a play yard"
Of the 31 deaths, nearly half had been struck by a moving vehicle,
and asphyxiation and drowning were the cause of another seven deaths. Sadly, one child fell from a height and electrocution,
contact with machinery, getting trapped and fire accounted for the other loss of lives.
Simple, common sense measures can be taken, explained Dr Dodman,
to ensure that children are kept safe.
"A simple walk around the farm to check for potential hazards
and removing them is quick and easily achieved. Move things that children might be tempted to play with or climb onto and
cover and prevent access to things like sheep dip baths and grain silos. Provide a securely fenced play area with enough activities
to keep young children occupied is ideal, but, should they wander off, then it's important that everybody working on the farm
knows that they should stop work and immediately take that child back to somewhere safe.
"We know that farmers are under pressure and there is a lot of
work to do, but safety should never be compromised. For every tragic fatality, there are also lots of other serious accidents.
Often, they have involved trespassing. Your children and their friends may well be aware of the dangers on farms, but it shouldn't
be taken for granted that they will always heed the no doubt often heard advice about staying safe, and the risk to children
who have trespassed on to farm land could be even greater.
"So, please take care out there especially during the summer days
and nights and make sure that children are kept free from danger and that children do not come to harm and risk."
____________________________________________________
Looking Forward - Diary Dates
Association of British Riding Schools Annual Conference
The ABRS will be holding their Annual Conference in London on 16 & 17 October 2006.
‘Fools on Horses’ star for BETA Conference
Tim Stockdale, the international show jumper who enthralled 3.6
million television viewers in TV’s Only Fools on Horses, is to be a keynote speaker at the BETA Conference.
The inaugural BETA Conference, open to members only, is to be
held at The Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate
on Monday, 30th October, preceded by a Sunday evening drinks reception.
Tim Stockdale will be giving his views on how equestrian sport
and the industry can work together and revealing inside stories from the set of Only Fools on Horses.
Before his TV role as head trainer tasked with turning 12 celebrities
into show jumpers, Tim featured in Channel 4’s Faking It. He heads the British Show Jumping Association’s marketing
committee and has represented Britain on 34 nations cup teams.
“Tim is a consummate horseman and self-made entrepreneur,
and will bring new insight and entertainment to the BETA Conference,” said BETA’s executive director, Claire Williams.
Other speakers will cover topical issues from how small businesses
can counteract credit fraud to capitalising on the 2012 London Olympics.
The BETA Conference will also include the association’s
AGM plus an Industry Forum during which members will be invited to contribute their views on issues affecting the equestrian
trade.
A selection of information stands provided by business services
suppliers from sectors such as insurance, security and finance will be present too.
Since BETA is subsidising the event, the cost to members is just
£20 to cover lunch and refreshments. Hotel accommodation is available if required from £55 per person, per night.
For details about attending the BETA Conference or taking an information
stand, contact BETA on 01937 587062.
Source: British Equestrian Trade Association
- 24 August 2006
|
If you know of any equestrian related accidents or near-misses then please