Grooms Insurance question

[TicTac]

I am employed part time by a large stud. Over the last couple of months or so there have been a couple of incidents where by one girl got hit on the head when a stallion reared up. ( she did sustain a cut but was not seriously injured or knocked out) and another girl had a horse go over backwards on her while she was at a competition. She did suffer a compound fracture to her leg which was broken in 3 places.

I have been asked to sign a form stating that that my employers will not be held responsible for any injury that happens to me while taking care or their horses and the livery horses. It says that I should have my own accident insurance and not put myself in any danger! It also says that they do have employers liability insurance. I am slightly confused. Is this correct?

By the nature of the business in dealing with many horses including young stock and stallions, there is an element of risk in what we do and we are asked to do things that seriously compromise today's ( over protective in some cases) health and safety regulations.

All I really want to know is, the form is legal and am I obliged to sign it?

 

[humblepie]

Hi hopefully you will get some more answers but breaking it into sections:

1. Your employers cannot sign anyway liability for any accident caused by their negligence as employers.
2. You do not have to have your own insurance but it is probably a good idea - have a look at the British Grooms Association website. Without insurance you will not have immediate cover to, say, a wage replacement. You could potentially sue your insurers for personal injury/loss of earnings etc but that takes time and of course you may not win.
3. You should follow a safe system of work and take care of your own health and safety by following their rules/requirements etc.
4. Your employers must have liability insurance.

If you are being asked to do things that are dangerous - i.e. perhaps not wearing protective equipment - then you should raise a grievance with your employers. Sounds like you should look at joining the British Grooms Association for advice. In the racing industry employers have an insurance scheme for wage top up/disablement.

Hope this is of a bit of general help.

 

[TicTac]

Thank you very much Humblepie. I think for the sake of £60.00 a year I will take out the BGA insurance and be covered for piece of mind.