Casual yard work and insurance

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Horse*

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Hello I'm after a little bit of advice please!

I do a few odd days working at a local trekking center where I do yard chores, school a few horses and have been asked to take the odd hack out or teach a lesson.

I was wondering am I putting myself at much risk by doing these activities without insurance? I wouldn't like to teach as if a child came off and was hurt I wouldn't know what to do and would feel awful!

Would it be unwise to take hacks out incase someone came off and was injured?

I don't mind riding horses and doing odd chores so much as I'm only putting myself at risk.

The people there are lovely but it isn't BHS so I want to be extra cautious and make sure I am not putting myself or anyone else at risk. The work is casual, cash in hand and I have no qualifications with horses, no first aid training and I think my insurance only covers me for riding my own horse.

Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
Horse* said:
Hello I'm after a little bit of advice please!

I do a few odd days working at a local trekking center where I do yard chores, school a few horses and have been asked to take the odd hack out or teach a lesson.

I was wondering am I putting myself at much risk by doing these activities without insurance? I wouldn't like to teach as if a child came off and was hurt I wouldn't know what to do and would feel awful!

Would it be unwise to take hacks out incase someone came off and was injured?

I don't mind riding horses and doing odd chores so much as I'm only putting myself at risk.

The people there are lovely but it isn't BHS so I want to be extra cautious and make sure I am not putting myself or anyone else at risk. The work is casual, cash in hand and I have no qualifications with horses, no first aid training and I think my insurance only covers me for riding my own horse.

Thanks in advance.
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Have they any insurance ? if they havent stop doing it!
 
I think they have for being a trekking center, I'm unsure whether I would be covered as I am not a permanent employee. I've asked to see a copy of it. It's hard as I'm a student in need of money and it is work I enjoy but I don't want to put my neck on the line.
 
The insurance they have to allow them to run as a commercial yard will cover you as an employee, even part time getting cash you should still be on the books, you would not be able to get personal insurance to cover the clients of the yard for accidents while under your care, that it what the yard insurance is for.
 
Their employers liability insurance will cover you for activities carried out while they are paying you or under you are working their instructions (voluntary work). This covers your actions causing an injury or loss, so you are not personally liable, its is the employers responsibility for your actions (Vicarious liability).

You do not need to have a written contract, the payment that you receive is proof of employment. There are plenty of unscrupulous employers who have tried to wriggle out of not having insurance by only paying cash with no documented contract.

They must legally display their current employers liability certificate in a location where it is easily visible, or give a copy to you.

If you are concerned, you could start a relaxed conversation asking 'Am I insured to work for you?', then bring it onto employers liability. If they respond by saying they do not need it as they don't have any employees, they are avoiding insurance and there is no cover.

The insurance that covers people who come to the trekking yard and pay for the services is Public Liability, which won't apply to you as you are receiving payment and operating under their instructions for their gain.
 
Generally if you are employed then you are covered, and if you are self employed then you buy your own insurance.

If you are being paid cash in hand, nothing on any books, then I would quit straight away. You have no proof of employment, and you are also defrauding the tax man!
 
You need to record the amount of money and date that you are paid to ensure that you can demonstrate your employment history and keep it in a safe place so that if there are any issues you have the details.
There are certain criteria that the 'Revenue and Customs' take in to consideration to determine if someone is self-employed or not.
In your case you would not be self-employed as they are providing the horses, the equipment for you to muck out and groom the horses etc. They are therefore employing you and are responsible for paying your tax and National Insurance.
Actually being self-employed is about to become a total nightmare as in the last budget they brought in new legislation that means that self-employed have to make a tax 4 times a year (every 3 months).
To take out hacks you also need to have undergone a first aid course and obtained a first aid certificate at regular intervals.
 
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