StableSafety

Mithras said:
You can't exclude liability for death or personal injury resulting from negligence, due to UCTA 77. But this is all to do with claims in civil law and nothing to do with the Health and Safety At Work Act 1974, which is criminal legislation enforced by the Health and Safety Executive. So, while a Health and Safety practitioner could advise on issues under the Act and associated secondary legislation, I'm unsure what they could do in relation to yard owner's main fears of combatting civil claims for damages because people who are not solicitors holding a practising certificate are not meant to charge for legal advice.

I do feel a bit mean, but I honestly think its touting for business by scaremongering. The relevant regulations are hardly new and most people who are going to comply are aware of them anyway or can google all they need to know. I do think there are a lot of people setting themselves up as "consultants" who count on people thinking these things are too complicated for the average person to understand. In general, they are not. Or at least the reasonably savvy person with experience in the industry and a good education behind them will probably do just as good a job of setting their minds to it as many so-called "experts". And most good Fire Services will give advice on fire safety if requested, though there is a growing trend for ex-officers in public services or even in their spare time to charge for services which were traditionally offered as part of the job and not charged for...

The approach is usually to give something free, such as an information booklet, or a talk, which plays on a person's fears, and then draw them into some kind of provision of services. I've seen it too often in areas like "Houses in Multiple Occupation Consultants" who are generally ex-council employees or trades, who often have very little in the way of proper professional qualifications to advise people on issues which might cause them thousands. Its a growing trend. But I digress.
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One minor correction here as it is easy to confuse people. Health and Safety in Riding schools is enforced by you local Environmental Health Department, if people have queries it is good to approach these people direct as they can offer up to date advice on complying with Health and Safety regulations. In Cornwall we have just run a Health and Safety day for equestrian managers and owners to update and explain requirements, some other authorities may do similar.
 
Booboos said:
Fantastic thread, thanks OP...now we all know that if we have H&S questions we should go to Mithras! ;)
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I agree - useful thread with some great contributions.

However, I'd still suggest posting any H&S questions to the wider forum community as it's such a broad topic.

Oh BTW, if anyone is unlucky enough to have an accident/near miss the BHS are asking people to report it to them through their website www.horseaccidents.org.uk

Through finding out what sort of problems are occuring (and where) it can help to target solutions.
 
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