2 safety conference summary pp 1014 rev

Australian Horse Industry Council Code HorseSafe (2003)

Australian Horse Industry Council Code HorseSafe (2003)

• Voluntary code

• Put together with a government grant and extensive consultation

• Revised 2009

• Due for further revision

• Relevant to all horse related activities and venues

HorseSafe covers all horse activities and focusses on risk management:

• Helmets/footwear/safe equipment

• Areas free of hazards

• Fencing to suit purpose of event

• Separated areas for different activities (warm up, float parking, public etc.)

• Providing first aid and medical facilities

• Communications (between staff and with emergency services)

• Competent and trained people

• Access and egress

• Separation of public/horse activities

• Accident and incident reports & reviews

• Having emergency procedures & training in these

• Appropriate ratios of officials/participants /spectators

• No dogs!

Additional requirements for tuition and trail rides:

• Clothing (sleeved shirts, long pants)

• Footwear: if not appropriate then use Toestoppers or Breakaway stirrups

• Saddles (suitable for purpose and two points of attachment)

• Qualifications for staff

• Comprehensive knowledge of horses being used

• Removal of dangerous horses

• Keep records of horse usage

• Equipment checks

• Terrain for mounting beginners

• Check for control before leaving on trail rides

• Ratios of staff to riders

• Staff to have first aid qualifications

• GUIDE TO MANAGING RISKS WHEN NEW AND INEXPERIENCED PERSONS INTERACT WITH HORSES

• June 2014

Supervisor/ instructor

competencies

Fit for purpose

horse

Safe environment

Induction and Safe work

procedures

Managing these risks involves:

• creating a safe environment (removing hazards)

• providing induction to new staff/clients

• ensuring that your horses are fit for purpose

• ensuring supervisors and instructors have suitable skills and capabilities to mange the situation

• Teaching staff are to be qualified for this role if they

are instructing riding

• Ensuring the equipment suits the purpose and is in

good repair

PCBUs are responsible for the proper induction of volunteers:OHS: horse behaviour, kicking zones, blind spots, flight and fight instinctsSpecific jobs: responsibilities, expectations, duty of care to self and others, response to emergencies, escape routes, recognising dangerswhen and how to react, getting assistanceWhat to wear, hydration, biosecurity

What volunteers might face on the job!

The guide is there to protect those new to horses…..

In arenasLimit the number of riders in an areaProvide softfallSupervise mounting processesEnsure appropriate ratios of staff to clientsRemove unnecessary equipment from arenaExclude dogs, small children Watch everyone all the time

Out in the open (trail rides and other activities)Check routeAvoid low branches, other animals and vehiclesRatios (1:6, minimum of 2 staff)Children ledMaintain safe pace of the rideRoles of front rider and drag ridersDistribute supervisors through group to help clientsConduct rider at a pace to suit capabilities of least ableCheck that riders are in control before you leave

• catch a horse on its own and in a herd • approach a horse and avoid their blind spots

and kicking zones• access and work around a horse in a stable or

enclosed area • lead horses through narrow places • tie up horses• lead horses through a group of loose horses • stand and hold horses• tack up horses • mount and wait while others are mounting • slow and stop a horse by using the reins, legs

and body position• work around a tethered horse• rug horses• feed horses, and • address other related hazards both in confined

areas and in a herd.

The Guide covers inductions for new staff including how to….

Fit for purpose HORSES

Check they are suitable (test them out…have an audit process!)Exclude those with a history of poor behaviourNOT those which :• are nervous or reactive• have a tendency to rear, buck, pig root, bite people or horses, kick people when being

handled or ridden, shy, bolt or any other behaviour which might unseat an unbalanced rider• are highly trained and sensitive• are non-compliant and unresponsive • regularly trip or stumble, or • are from a race track without extensive re-training.

Nina Arnott

0411 685 211

[email protected]