• What law applies
• Safety information for riders
• Training and education
• Workplace environment
• Safety when riding
• General health and safety issues
  • Workplace amenities
  • Manual tasks
  • Insecticides and other harmful chemicals
  • Machinery and electrical safety
  • Injury, illness and dangerous events

The Horse Riding Industry Code of Practice 2002

• First aid
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Sun safety and heat stress
• Safety switches
• Risk management

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Allergies and diseases

People working with horses may be exposed to allergens present in dust, hay, straw and animal feeds. These may cause or aggravate allergies such as rhinitis and asthma. Prevent or minimise exposure by grooming horses outdoors, keeping doors and windows open when handling hay or straw inside and wearing a particulate respirator for prolonged exposure such as stacking straw.

People working with horses may also be exposed to zoonoses (diseases acquired from animals) from contact with horses and other animals such as rats. Zoonoses include tetanus, leptospirosis, ringworm, Hendra virus and infections from horse bites. Prevent or minimise exposure by ensuring good personal hygiene, hand washing and current tetanus immunisation, covering cuts and seeking prompt veterinarian care of sick horses.

Further information on allergies and zoonoses is provided in appendix 3 of The Horse Riding Schools, Trail Riding Establishments and Horse Hiring Establishments Industry Code of Practice 2002.