WorkSafe announces $500,000 funding for safer horse racing

06 August 2007

WorkSafe Victoria announced a new $500,000 project for the horse racing industry to improve safety in the 1180 thoroughbred stables across Victoria.

The grant was announced by Deputy Premier Rob Hulls at the launch of a new WorkSafe guide at Flemington Racecourse today.

WorkSafe Executive Director John Merritt said the funding would help to reduce the number of racing industry workers injured every year.

WorkSafe figures show that over the last seven years, the majority of the 1200 injuries to jockeys, track riders and stable employees involved falls from horses. The second most common injury involved horse handling.

The project will be carried out over two years by Racing Victoria Ltd and the Australian Workers Union with the support of the Australian Trainers Association.

The funding will enable the appointment of two health and safety officers to work closely with thoroughbred training stables in Victoria addressing common hazards.

Mr Merritt said that the nature of the horse racing industry meant that workers were vulnerable to a unique set of problems.

“Working with animals that are unpredictable, outside of normal hours without natural sunlight means that there are many challenges”.

“As the industry inevitably involves winners and losers we find that smaller stables struggle to meet the challenges of safe workplaces”.

“This funding will help them reduce the number of workers injured in and around stables” Mr Merritt said.

WorkSafe also launched the Horse Stables and Track Riding Safety Guide.

The guide addresses and provides solutions to the many hazards at race tracks and stables across the state.

Copies of the new guide can be obtained from local WorkSafe offices or on the WorkSafe website http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au.