Understanding the Risks: A Worker's Perspective

Recognizing the Perils of Horse Handling

• Horses, though magnificent, pose significant safety risks.
• Your understanding of these risks is crucial for personal safety and the safety of others in the workplace.

Horse Handling Activities: Your Daily Involvement Matters

Defining Horse Handling in Your Work Environment

• Riding horses
• Caring for horses (stabling, leading, grooming, medicating, breeding)
• Moving horses (loading and unloading from trailers)

In your daily work at farms, equestrian centers, or horse-related industries, these activities are part of your routine.

Identifying Risks: A Worker's Responsibility

Physical Injury Risks: Understanding the Dangers

• Horses can cause serious injuries, including head and spinal injuries, bites, lacerations, fractures, and even fatalities.
• Visitors, new, and inexperienced workers are more vulnerable due to a lack of understanding of horse behavior and workplace dynamics.

Hazardous Tasks and Health Risks: Shared Challenges

• Hazards of manual tasks and exposure to chemicals and medicines are common in animal handling.
• Diseases such as ringworm, leptospirosis, and Hendra virus can be contracted from horses.

Managing Risks: Your Active Participation

For Workers: Your Duty to Ensure Safety

• Understand your responsibility under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
• Follow health and safety instructions, use equipment properly, adhere to policies, and attend training.

For Businesses: Your Duty to Manage Risks

Four Steps to Manage Risk

Step 1: Identify the Risk

• Inspect the workplace, consider how tasks are done, and review the physical work environment.
• Engage with workers to discuss potential hazards.
• Review available information about animal handling regulations and standards.

Step 2: Assess the Risk

• Evaluate the existence of risks and check the effectiveness of control measures.
• Decide on actions to control risks and urgency of implementation.
• Utilize risk assessment templates to guide your decisions.

Step 3: Control the Risk

• Implement control measures, prioritizing the removal of hazards.
• Use physical barriers, engineering controls, or equipment to reduce risks.

Control Measures in Horse Handling: Your Checklist

• Create and maintain a safe physical environment in stables and yards.
• Limit access and establish strict rules for visitors.
• Ensure riding instructors are qualified.
• Use suitable clothing and personal protective equipment.
  
  

Safe Horse Handling Practices: Your Guidelines for Compensation Protection

Wearing Protective Equipment: Prioritizing Your Safety

• Utilize protective gear when handling horses, especially if you might come into contact with fluids that could transmit diseases.
• Wear suitable clothing, including a safety-approved riding helmet, gloves, and appropriate footwear.

Managing Equipment: Safeguarding Your Workplace

• Choose, fit, and maintain equipment properly to ensure rider safety.
• Regularly inspect and maintain all riding equipment and tack.

Matching Horses to Tasks: Your Responsibility

• Ensure horses are suitable and safe for riders based on experience, size, and task.
• Follow safe riding practices, wearing approved safety gear.

Road Riding Safety Tips: Protecting Yourself on the Job

• Be cautious when crossing or riding on roads, especially if riders are inexperienced.
• Conduct practice exercises before riding on roads.
• Keep groups small, follow proper signaling, and ride in good light with reflective gear.
  
  

Continuous Review: Your Vigilance Matters for Compensation Claims

Ongoing Risk Management: Protecting Your Right to Compensation

• Regularly check the effectiveness of control measures.
• Conduct reviews when needed, especially after incidents or changes in the workplace.
• Comply with work health and safety laws to ensure a safe work environment.

Standards and Compliance: Ensuring Compensation Eligibility

• Follow the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and relevant regulations.
• Adhere to codes of practice, such as the How to manage work health and safety risks code of practice 2021.
• Reference industry-specific codes like the Horse Riding Schools, Trail Riding Establishments, and Horse Hiring Establishments Industry Code of Practice 2002.
  
  

Your commitment to safety not only safeguards your well-being but also strengthens potential compensation claims in case of workplace accidents or injuries.