Due to summer holidays the News for July and
August is amalgamated this month.......
The Promotion of Volunteering Bill fails to become law
The bill aimed to introduce a "statement of inherent risk", which volunteers
or voluntary organisations could ask the users of their services or activities to sign, to ensure that they "share responsibility
for the safe conduct of the activity". The courts would have to take account of the agreement in any legal proceedings for
negligence or breach of statutory duty.
But critics warned that the bill could do more harm than good because
the "statement of inherent risk" could discourage volunteers by asking them to accept liability, encourage bad practice in
risk assessment and generate a mountain of bureaucratic paperwork.
Read more in the Guardian Unlimited article
The "statement of inherent risk" is a hot topic in
the horse industry and Riding Safely will carry more about this important subject in fothcoming newsletters.
Tackling rising insurance costs for riding schools
July 15th saw a meeting between Alun Michael MP, Defra, the British Horse Society, the Association of British
Riding Schools and representatives from the insurance industry to discuss the problem of rising insurance costs to riding
schools. A working party has been set up to find solutions focussed around risk management. Read more about the meeting >>>
Stable fire claims four horses
Horse & Hound reported (17 June 2004) that four horses
had died in a stable fire on the Wirral in the previous week. At the time of writing the cause of the fire had not been
ascertained, but it was believed that in the hot weather, with temperatures of 27°C, the muckheap caught alight. Sea
breezes then spread the flames to the hay and stables. The tragedy claimed not only the horses, but other buildings
housing tack and horseboxes.
|
|
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 currently 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
In another BETA led initative, BETA together with equestrian retailers
and other equestrian businesses are looking at ways to encourage more people to take up riding.
Fireworks - RSPCA campaign update
"The government's new firework regulations came into force on 7 August this
year, but the RSPCA is deeply disappointed that they do not go far enough. We (the RSPCA) are gathering evidence to prove
that these regulations will do little to prevent animal distress and we need your help."
and what's new on the site....
Safety Tip.....
Give me sunshine......
Site Updates......
It's been around for a couple of years but have you read the Equine
Industry Welfare Guidelines Compendium for Horses, Ponies and Donkeys? Produced to promote sound welfare
and management practices it contains recommendations to assist horse owners, keepers and others to achieve high standards
of animal welfare. Find out more about the Guidelines in "Waxed Jacket Corner" >>>
Tackling
the Australian Horse Industry insurance crisis of 2002
Were you aware
that in 2002 many Australian riding establishments ceased trading because they could no longer get public liability insurance
at an affordable price, if at all?
Riding Safely has
been looking at the crisis that struck the Australian Horse Industry in 2002 and how it has recovered to where it is
today in 2004.
The " For Businesses" section has been updated with information regarding the fundamental health & safety issues that affect the industry.
|
