S.A.F.E.T Y at Equine Events

©2016 Caroline Payne

S.A.F.E.T YAt

Equine Events

1


Between July 2000 and June 2012 in Australia, 98 people were killed as a result of interacting with a horse.

When you think of deaths caused by horses, do you think only of the results of falls?

The 98 deaths mentioned above were the results of bites, strikes and kicks too.

We all know that spending time with horses can be dangerous and result in injury or even death.

2

©2016 Caroline Payne3

Guide to Managing Risks When New and Inexperienced Persons Interact with Horses: Safework Australia June 2014

The above Guide came into being, largely due to the efforts of Juliana Waugh, whose daughter, Sarah, died as the result of a fall while attending a Jillaroo course run by TAFE NSW.

The Guide has been adopted as a Draft Code of Practice for Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking That Involves Horses, and is open to review until 28 August 2016.

It will become an Approved Code of Practice issued by Safework NSW under Section 274of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW)


Code of Practice for Managing Risks When New and Inexperienced Persons Interact with Horses

Juliana has been quoted as saying that

‘The code is the beginning of a tsunami of change in the equine world, and contributes to a new culture of safety’

While the code has been initiated by Safework NSW, it will almost certainly be adopted by all States, and filter down to not for profits via our insurers.



So what?

Big deal!

Nothing to do with us. We are not only not for profit, but we are all experienced horse people. Right?

WRONG!



The Code defines ‘new and inexperienced’ as

‘anyone who is in a new or different situation or environment for the first time when interacting with horses’

irrespective of whether that person has had any other previous experience with horses.


Everyone attending an event has a duty of care to themselves and everyone present.

Not for profit organisations with no employees are not liable to prosecution under Workplace Health and Safety Laws.

However, if an accident were to occur at an event, particularly an event where members of the public were present, Insurers would take a close look at club policies and procedures to ensure that everyone is aware of, and demonstrating, duty of care.

7


So, what should we be doing?

We could sit back and wait for Juliana’s tsunami to hit us, then roll over and let our club close due to lack of forethought and planning

Or

We can be proactive and do everything we can to improve the current ‘She’ll be right’ culture so that we pass muster and survive.

8


S.A.F.E. Policies

ORS templates and suggestions were used to formulate S.A.F.E.’s Policies.

Our policies are continually reviewed and modified if considered necessary.

Unlike our Constitution, our Policies can be changed at any time by the Committee. Changes do not have to be approved by Members at a General Meeting. However, any suggestions or criticisms by our Members are considered and discussed by our Committee, and acted upon if considered to be appropriate.

9


We could adopt this philosophy ;-)

THIS IS AN EQUINE EVENT.THE ENTIRE VENUE IS CHOCK FULL OF HAZARDS,

AND THE ORGANISERS CAN’T BE AR$ED IDENTIFYING THEM ALL.

AS A RESULT OF THIS, OUR TRULY SPLENDIFEROUS HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY REQUIRES YOU TO

USE COMMON SENSE AT ALL TIMES.IF YOU DO NOT POSSESS COMMON SENSE

DO NOT ENTER.IF YOU DO ENTER, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR

KEEPING YOURSELF SAFEBY APPLYING COMMON SENSE AT ALL TIMES.

C A U T I O N

10


People don’t know what they don’t know.

It is important that we don’t assume that everyone else knows what we, ourselves, know. The general public, and people who are new to horses, have no concept of safety around horses, or that they have a duty of care to themselves and everyone around them.

At the same time, we don’t want to cheese people off by coming across as a Know It All who thinks that they are lacking in horsemanship knowledge and skills.

We also need to consider cultural differences, and the fact that ‘there is more than one way to successfully skin a cat’ (or rug a horse).

11


Risk Assessments

12

Identify hazards:

Can they be eliminated?

Can a safer option be substituted?

Reliance on policies and PPE is a last resort.


Responsibilities• Ensuring the safety of participants and spectators at

equine events is not solely the responsibility of the Event Organiser or Club Committee.

• How do we ensure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities and what is expected of them?

• What do we do if someone refuses to respond to a request/instruction to comply with safety policies?

13


You see what you consider to be a potentially dangerous situation developing. What do you do?

We now know that we have a duty of care to prevent the situation.

How do we overcome cultural differences and personality clashes to ensure a safe outcome?

• Demonstrate empathy.

• Forget ‘them and us’: the aim is a positive outcome for all.

14


Someone’s culture is what they do, say, think and feel.

It all makes complete sense to them, and to change is not logical to them.

If you want them to consider changing how they do something, YOU need to understand WHY they do what they do, and enable them to maintain their values while turning risk into safety.

Culture is more than a tub of strawberry yoghurt 1

15


Culture is more than a tub of strawberry yoghurt 2

How would you define the Aussie Culture?

• She’ll be right?

• We’ve always done it that way?

• Bravado?

How do we maintain the positive aspects of these attitudes while ensuring that our Members and horses are safe?

16


Bribery has been known to work wonders ………………………

What is the most important thing in most horse owners lives (after, or maybe not, their family)? Their horse, of course

‘I choose not to wear a helmet. They make me hot and uncomfortable and I get a headache. I have a ‘do not resuscitate’ clause in my will, so I won’t be a burden on anyone if I do have an accident and become a vegetable’.

‘I’m really concerned that you are putting yourself at risk of serious injury by not wearing a helmet. Who will look after your beautiful horse/s if you are injured?’

17


Be encouraging, not confrontational.

Be alert, not alarmed.

Always expect the unexpected.

Make being safe easy. Don’t complicate things.

Establishing an environment and attitude of safety 1

18


Volunteer organisations are not obliged to have ‘qualified’ personnel on hand to instruct and correct.

We welcome horse enthusiasts to our events without having any knowledge of their experience, or of the horse’s suitability to their human’s level of skill.

How do we get across the message that they are responsible for themselves, their horses, and the safety of everyone present without terrifying the jodhs off them?


19


Hypothetical Scenario:

A club organises a trail ride.

Should participants be required to supply written confirmation that:

• they have effective brakes, and their horse will stop when asked to do so?

• their horse is not herd bound?• their horse has previously experienced being ridden outside an

arena and knows what trees are?• they have enough riding experience and confidence to ride

their horse through any situation that the ride can be reasonably expected to encounter?


20


• Keep policies simple and easy to comply with.

• If a group of friends are present, identify the ‘group leader’ – possibly the most vocal, even if not the most knowledgeable. Work with that person, gain their agreement and compliance, and their friends will follow suit.

• Lead by example: people attending an event can be expected to look to

Committee Members and Event Co-ordinators for guidance and, if unsure, will tend to copy the behaviour of people they assume know more than they do themselves.


21


Things to consider when assessing safety around horses

• PPE is not a panacea: helmets, boots, back protectors are tools to supplement constant awareness of situations

• Respect the horse: humans need to be aware at all times when around horses

• Teach people how to do things correctly, don’t just tell them what they must do

• Be consistent and be clear when asking a horse to respond to a cue or aid: avoid making a horse fearful and triggering a flight response

• Ensure all equipment is fit for purpose

• Make compliance easy, don’t have complicated policies

22


S.A.F.E. Inc Policies June 2016

Approved helmets and suitable footwear to be worn

Everyone is responsible for ensuring that their tack and equipment is fit for purpose

Juniors to be supervised at all times by a nominated, responsible guardian

Respect the personal space of others

Be aware that some people are nervous around horses they do not know

Do not crowd anyone whose attention is focused on something, such as a lesson, that is not in their immediate vicinity

23


Things to consider 1

We need to always account for the movement and behaviour of horses:

• Do not crowd around gates. If waiting to enter, stay well back until the entrance is clear, then enter and move into a clear and suitable position; leaving the entrance free for others to enter or leave.

• Always leave enough space for horses and humans to move around safely.

• Consider how a horse might behave in response to an unexpected stimulus.

24


Consider a horse’s individual traits when moving around them:

• Is it safe to walk behind the horse after making it aware of your presence, and while keeping a hand on its rump?

• Is it safe to duck underneath the head of a horse that is tied up?

Be aware of the fact that although riders should be aware of what is going on around them, and ensuring that the horse does not endanger anyone, they are often preoccupied due to nerves (or just plain irresponsible) and can cause their horse to barge in to you or walk over the top of you. Remain alert at all times.


25


Don’t assume that everyone present at an event is horse wise (or sober).

We were all ‘new’ to horses once, and much of what we have learnt has been through surviving near misses and accidents, some of them very serious.

If someone asks you to stay away from their horse, do not assume they are being precious or tyrannical. Do as you are asked, and do it politely and respectfully: the owner is very possibly concerned for your safety.


26


Members’ responsibilities 1

Read your club’s policies and make suggestions for amendments.

Keep up to date with any amendments to policies.

Abide by the policies at all times.

We ALL have a duty of care to EVERYONE present, and to our horses.

If you see what you consider to be a dangerous situation that requires immediate attention, speak to the other parties concerned immediately. Be respectful, suggest what you consider needs to be done to rectify the situation. Don’t be judgemental.

27


Members’ responsibilities 2

If you observe a potential risk, either

• Rectify it immediately and inform a Committee Member or the Event Co-ordinator.

• Isolate the area or piece of equipment, preferably appointing somebody to remain in place while you advise a Committee Member or the Event Co-ordinator.

• Be respectful and positive. Do not be judgemental and negative. We all do our best .

28


Points to Ponder

29

If someone in a position of authority tells you to do something: do it. There could be a very good reason. It could mean the difference between life and death.

I grew up doing potentially dangerous activities: sailing and horse riding. If we didn’t act instantly when told, we either got wet or hurt, or both. There were instant consequences.

Unfortunately, with people spending so much time playing video games, they seem to think that you get more lives: that you get a reset in real life.

Jessie Rae Preece July 2016


What do we think of this philosophy?

THIS IS AN EQUINE EVENT.THE ENTIRE VENUE IS CHOCK FULL OF HAZARDS:THE ORGANISERS HAVE IDENTIFIED AS MANY AS

THEY COULD, AND DEALT WITH THEM.OUR TRULY SPLENDIFEROUS HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY REQUIRES YOU TO USE COMMON SENSE

AT ALL TIMES.IF YOU DO NOT POSSESS COMMON SENSE

PLEASE DO NOT ENTER.IF YOU DO ENTER, PLEASE BE AWARE THAT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING YOURSELF SAFE

BY APPLYING COMMON SENSE AT ALL TIMES.

C A U T I O N

30


S.A.F.E. Inc thanks

The Office of Recreation and Sport for awarding SAFE a Program and Equipment Grant under the Active Club Program. The grant enabled a SAFE delegate to attend the People, Horse, Culture Conference held at Randwick in May 2016. Much of the information presented here was sourced from that conference.

HorseSA: particularly Julie Fiedler and Kirrilly Thompson. Julie for organising the conference and her tireless efforts in support of our horses’ welfare, and Kirrilly for cheerfully letting me steal some of her great ideas for this presentation.

The Waugh Family, for caring.

31

Government & Nonprofit

S.A.F.E.T Y at Equine Events