West Midlands Regional Safety News

WINTER DRIVING TIPS

Driving in the winter is very different than in other times of the year. Adverse weather and longer periods of darkness (especially after the clocks go back at the end of October) makes driving more hazardous. Sometimes conditions can be extreme, as we have found out over the last two winters in particular, with prolonged periods of heavy snow and floods.
This means that we need to adapt the way we drive. Different weather conditions create different hazards throughout the Winter and in different areas of the country at different times. A single journey may take us into very different weather, road and traffic conditions, so we need to be prepared for each one.
PREPARE YOUR VEHICLE It’s a good idea to have your vehicle fully serviced before winter starts and have the antifreeze tested. If you can’t have it serviced, then do your own checks. In particular, check:
Lights are clean and working
Battery is fully charged
Windscreen, wiper blades and other windows are clean and the washer bottle filled with screen wash
Tyre condition, tread depth and pressure (of all the tyres, including the spare) Brakes are working well
Fluids are kept topped up, especially windscreen wash (to the correct concentration to prevent it freezing), anti-freeze and oil
RoSPA has produced a film illustrating the most important things to check and how to do so.
The film is available at. http://safetygonesane.wordpress.com/2011/10/05/check-yourvehicle- out-a-new-rospa-video/
It’s also a good idea to stock up on de-icer, windscreen wash, oil and anti-freeze at the start of Winter.

Read the full article
*******************************************************

BHS receive prestigious Prince Michael Road Safety Award

The British Horse Society was presented with the award by His Royal Highness, Prince Michael in recognition of its www.horseaccidents.org.uk website.

The Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards recognise achievements and innovations which will improve road safety. Each year the most outstanding examples of international road safety initiatives are given public recognition through the scheme.

The BHS’s interactive website is designed to make the reporting of road traffic accidents involving horses easy and accessible. The initiative has proved to be extremely successful seeing reporting levels rise by 282 percent in the first eight months in comparison with the previous paper based system.

Sheila Hardy, BHS Senior Executive for Safety said: “we are delighted with the recognition this award brings. This is the fourth Prince Michael award we have received for different aspects of our safety work but this one is probably the most special as it shows the Society has successfully brought its accident reporting process into the twenty first century.”

Fireworks frighten horses

For many people Bonfire Night is an enjoyable evening watching spectacular firework displays and warming themselves by a bonfire, but for horse owners it can be a time of concern and distress.
Fireworks can frighten even the most sensible horse, so all horse owners should be prepared for the firework season. The British Horse Society (BHS) has issued the following advice for owners:

Fireworks must not be set off near livestock or horses in fields or stables
It is best to keep your horse in its normal routine
Risk assess your stable yard and plan to limit disturbance
Ensure you find out if there are any displays planned nearby
Warn local organisers, councils and schools that there are horses in the area
Organise your plans in advance
Remain calm and positive yourself as horses will sense your unease
Keep your horse in a familiar environment
Safety for everyone is the key – do not put yourself in danger

This advice is available as a downloadable poster, along with further information from www.horseaccidents.org.uk.
The BHS also supports the Blue Cross guidelines on Fireworks and Animals which is available at www.bluecross.org.uk and in paper format from both the Blue Cross and the BHS.
It is not just horse owners who need to be careful. People organising firework displays should inform local horse owners and it is also a good idea not to let off fireworks anywhere near fields or farms. Most people don’t realise how much suffering fireworks cause animals, particularly horses. Those who really want to have fireworks in their back garden should think carefully about how it will affect local pets and animals before they do so.

By being proactive in planning for fireworks and Bonfire Night, you can make the annual celebrations less stressful for you and your horse.

For further information and pictures, please contact: Alison Coleman, Press Officer, The British Horse Society, on 02476 840463 or email communications@bhs.org.uk.
*******************************************************

Equestrian safety concerns discussed at BHS Safety Conference

A diverse mix of speakers tackling current important safety issues attended the bi-annual BHS Safety Conference at The British Horse Society’s headquarters in Warwickshire.

The conference was designed to provide up-to-date advice that can be passed on to others in the equestrian community. This year’s topics included event safety planning, horse transport legislation and breakdown, body protection, and dog attacks on horses.

Everyone wants to make sure horses travel in the best possible circumstances and presentations by Brenda Gilligan of Wilkin Chapman LLP and Claire Barker of PRP Rescue Services demystified the topic for delegates, giving them a better understanding of what is required by current legislation and what to expect in a breakdown situation. PC Keith Evans, West Midlands Dog Legislation Officer, passed on invaluable and enlightening advice on the law relating to dog attacks and what to do in such a situation.

BHS Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, Mark Weston, said: “The British Horse Society is keen to work with its partners to increase the safety of equestrians and their horse. The conference highlighted a number of ways in which the BHS can work, and indeed is working, with other organisations to strengthen equestrian safety.”

For further information, please contact: Alison Coleman, Press Officer, The British Horse Society, on 02476 840463 or email communications@bhs.org.uk 
*******************************************************

Horsebox safety is no accident

The British Horse Society is joining forces with NFU Mutual, the UK’s largest rural insurer, to promote horsebox safety and maintenance.

The BHS and NFU Mutual will be working together to raise awareness of the risks associated with loading and transporting horses and the importance of regular maintenance and routine checks of horseboxes and trailers.

Mark Weston, Director of Access, Safety and Welfare at The British Horse Society, said: “We are pleased to work in partnership with NFU Mutual on this important issue which will help to improve the safety and welfare of horses while being transported.”

Mrs Nicki Whittaker of NFU Mutual added: “Although many people invest a lot of time and effort in the training and turnout of their horse, a few individuals don’t invest the same amount of time checking that their horsebox or lorry is in tip-top condition and this oversight could jeopardise the safety and well-being of their animal. Only recently, a mare being transported in a poorly maintained trailer had to be put to sleep after the floor on which she was standing gave way while she was in transit.”

Although incidents of this nature are (thankfully) not common, NFU Mutual still receives a handful of claims each year for this tragic occurrence. The insurer also handles around 500 claims for vet’s fees relating to loading injuries every year and believes many of these could be avoided.

Sheila Hardy, Senior Executive (Safety), at The British Horse Society said: “The initiative will begin with an online survey in July. The survey aims to highlight general attitudes and awareness to horsebox safety and BHS members who take part in the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win £50 of vouchers to spend in our BHS bookshop and an NFU Mutual saddlecloth.”

Look out for more news about this initiative and the online survey on the BHS website, www.bhs.org.uk.

For further information and pictures, please contact: Alison Coleman, The British Horse Society, 02476 840463 or a.coleman@bhs.org.uk 
*******************************************************

Horse riders urged to have their say on dangerous dogs

The British Horse Society is encouraging horse riders and owners to respond to a consultation document issued by the government on dangerous dogs.

Defra is consulting on a number of options as to how the current situation regarding dangerous dogs might be improved. The British Horse Society is keen to see as many equestrians as possible respond to the consultation. The Society has been collecting information from the victims of dog attacks over the last 10 years in an effort to demonstrate the impact of dangerous dogs on horse riders and owners.

During that time, more than 97 reports have been received from victims of dog attacks – 74 of which have occurred in the last three years – and this only covers those that have been reported to the Society. Ten of these attacks proved fatal for the horse and another 42 resulted in injury to a horse. Alongside this, 43 riders and owners have suffered injury, demonstrating that dangerous dogs have serious implications for equestrians.

The BHS believes the consultation on dangerous dogs raises many pertinent issues to owners and riders of horses, proving their vulnerability to attacks by dangerous dogs.

Mark Weston, Director of Access, Safety and Welfare at the BHS, said: “The number of reported incidents is continuing to rise and steps to make dog owners responsible for their animal’s behaviour would be welcomed by the Society. Any new legislation should cater for dog attacks on horses and riders as they, as proven by our reports, are increasing.”

Further information on the consultation can be found on The British Horse Society website, www.bhs.org.uk  
For further information and pictures, please contact: Alison Coleman, The British Horse Society, 01926 707737 or a.coleman@bhs.org.uk 

1. The consultation document  on dangerous dogs can be found via the following link http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/dangerous-dogs/index.htm
2. Any regulations or ban would apply in England and Wales only. Dangerous dogs legislation is a partially devolved matter; Scotland has its own Dangerous Dogs Act and Northern Ireland also has its own legislation on this issue.
*******************************************************

Changes to driving legislations will impact on horse industry warns BHS

New driving licensing legislation revoking ‘grandfather rights’, to accompany learner drivers in small lorries, buses and vehicle plus trailer combinations will have a profound impact on the equestrian industry according to The British Horse Society.

From 6 April 2010 drivers who passed their car driving test before January 1997 will no longer be able to act as ‘supervising’ drivers to those learning to drive small lorries, buses and vehicle plus trailer combinations (but not car/horse trailer combinations i.e. Category B+E). Crucially for the equestrian industry this will include 7.5 tonne horse boxes.

In a response to questioning by The British Horse Society, the Driving Standards Agency stated: “Drivers who passed their car driving test before January 1997 were granted implied entitlement, sometimes known as ‘grandfather rights’, to drive small lorries, buses and vehicle plus trailer combinations. These are classed as categories C1, C1+E, D1 and D1+E and subject to certain restrictions.

“It should be noted that it was never the intention to allow learner drivers to drive a vehicle on public roads unless being supervised by a qualified driver who had passed a test for that category of vehicle.“Clearly there are road safety issues involved where a person who has never passed the relevant driving test will act as the supervisor for a driver in these categories.

“These changes will not affect the person’s existing entitlement to drive C1 or D1 vehicles or vehicle plus trailer combinations. They will however make it illegal for anyone to act as a supervising driver in such vehicles if they only hold pre-1997 implied entitlements.” The new legislation has not been widely publicised and the BHS is concerned that many drivers will not be aware that they will be affected when the changes come into place on 6 April 2010.

Sheila Hardy, BHS Senior Executive Safety said: “It is concerning that this legislation has not been more widely publicised. It has left people no time at all to prepare themselves.”

A detailed description of the changes from the DSA is available on The British Horse Society website.
For further information, please contact: Alison Coleman, The British Horse Society, 01926 707737 or a.coleman@bhs.org.uk 
*******************************************************

The BHS responds to A Safer Way

The British Horse Society has responded to the Department for Transport (DfT) consultation A Safer Way, calling for improved recording of accident statistics, improved provision of rights of way, lower speed limits and the protection of vulnerable road users. The consultation seeks views on the vision, targets and measures for improving road safety in Great Britain beyond 2010.

In his consultation response, BHS Director of Access Safety and Welfare, Mark Weston, said: “It is incomprehensible how a consultation document into making Britain’s roads the safest in the world can fail to make any reference at all to horse riders and carriage drivers, who are legal users of the road network. Over the last 10 years there has been an increase of two million in the number of people who now ride. To ignore this fact and to fail to consider the needs of equestrians on our roads over the next 20 years is something that must be corrected immediately.”

The BHS is concerned by the under-recording of accident statistics that involve equestrians, and deplores the fact that the Stats 19/National Reporting Injury Road Accident Data Collection System does not require recording of accidents where injuries or death are caused to a ridden or driven horse if the rider or carriage driver suffers no injury that is apparent at the scene, even if injuries in the human later become apparent.

Many riders are too fearful to ride on our roads because of the speed and volume of traffic. The BHS calls for an explanation about how data on suppressed use is collected, if it is considered at all. The BHS sees the key challenge of improving road safety should be the protection of all vulnerable road users.

The BHS supports the focus that will be given to improving safety on rural roads, advocating lower speed limits on all roads as recommended by the DfT Circular 1/06. The BHS does not agree that priority should be given to assessing A and B roads, believing that C and unclassified roads, predominantly used by the recreational vulnerable road user, should be equally assessed.

For further information please contact Mark Weston Director of Access Safety and Welfare on 01926 707760 or email access@hs.org.uk
*******************************************************

BHS calls on National Audit Office to look at improving road safety for equestrians

The British Horse Society has questioned a recent report from the National Audit Office on improving road safety for vulnerable road users, which considers improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists but does not include equestrians.
Head of the National Audit Office, Tim Burr, said: “Making roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists is a key element in encouraging people to walk and cycle more. While their safety has improved generally, some are more vulnerable, such as child pedestrians from deprived areas.
“The Department for Transport needs to draw on its research programme and the lessons learned from the projects that it funds to find ways of improving safety, especially for groups most at risk.”
British Horse Society Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, Mark Weston, said: “Making roads safer for equestrians is a key element in encouraging people to ride more.
“To produce a report that fails to address the road safety concerns of equestrians is absurd and a wasted opportunity to make recommendations that would improve the safety of all vulnerable road users, not just pedestrians and cyclists.”
The BHS has asked when the National Audit Office will produce a report that looks at improving road safety for equestrians.
Details of The British Horse Society’s campaigns for equestrian access can be found at www.bhs.org.uk
For further information, please contact Mark Weston, BHS Director of Access Safety and Welfare, on 01926 707760 or mark.weston@bhs.org.uk
*******************************************************

BHS welcomes proposal to reduce speed limits

The British Horse Society has welcomed recent proposals to reduce the speed limit on rural roads from 60 to 50 mph.
The government will issue a consultation later in the year, which proposes this blanket reduction in the speed limit – the greatest change since 1978, when the national speed limit was reduced form 70mph to 60mph.
The proposals are for single lane carriageways only – dual carriageways and motorways will remain unaffected by the proposed legislation.
The BHS has been lobbying for a reduction in the speed limit on rural roads in order to protect the riders that use them, and would like to see further reductions in speed limits.
Mark Weston, the BHS’s Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, said: “The measures proposed by the government are a welcome step towards a safer road network for equestrians and drivers alike, but they do not go far enough. We would advocate even lower speed limits. Due to inadequate provision of a safe, accessible off-road network, many riders are forced to ride on roads which these days carry traffic that is increasing both in volume and speed. We are glad to see that the government is taking the safety of all rural road users seriously.”

For more informaiton, please contact Mark Weston, BHS Director of Accesss, Safety and Welfare on 01926 707760 or mark.weston@bhs.org.uk
*******************************************************

Riding and Road Safety

Having trouble with slippery road surfaces, if so we want to hear from you. Please print out and fill in the questionnaire and send to Andrea Jackman,

	Do you need to do a risk assessement on your yard? Download Risk Assessment Guidelines Download Risk Assessment Sample form Download COSHH Sample form (control of substances hazardous to health)
******************************************************* Riding Safely?
Riding Safely, the UK based free subscription newsletter aimed at improving equestrian safety.  Whether you're an occasional recreational rider or full-time professional, Riding Safely is for you www.ridingsafely.net *******************************************************