Timothy Wood Holdings Pty Ltd, operating as Blazing Saddles, was handed its sentence in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on August 8, having pled guilty to two counts of neglecting to assure non-employees’ safety and health. The court also directed the company to cover expenses amounting to $4,451.
In a troubling event that occurred in January 2022, two children sustained injuries while taking part in a “learn to canter” ride with their father and another individual, organised within the Great Otway National Park. Standout issues noted included that only one guide attended to the group of four; comprehensive pre-ride assessments of riding skills were lacking; no instructions or demonstrations were conducted; and helmet fitting checks by Blazing Saddles were omitted.
The young siblings, a 10-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy, despite previous participation in the company’s “walk to trot” ride, lacked ample experience and necessitated additional guidance when this incident happened. As they transitioned from canter to trot, the horses slowed down resulting in the young girl losing balance, sliding off her steed, and hitting her head – leading to temporary unconsciousness.
Following the girl’s mishap, all five horses, scared by the residual chaos created, stampeded and consequently led to the second child being unseated. He suffered severe injuries, including an acquired brain injury and broken jaw after two horses trampled him, necessitating airlifting to the hospital for nearly a month. Meanwhile, the remaining participant managed to stay unhurt by dismounting her horse before reaching the road where it showed signs of halting abruptly.
A mere week prior to this accident, another calamity struck during a Blazing Saddles beginners’ walk and trot ride involving a couple of young participants. In sharp contrast to the established incident management guidelines like those incorporated within Bluesafe SWMS or Bluesafe WHS Management System, riding abilities were not evaluated formally pre-ride, and helmet checks remained incomplete. Consequently, this negligence saw a novice eight-year-old rider, unassisted by any guides, fail to control her horse, mimicking another horse that bolted, eventually leading to both children bearing minor wounds.
Investigations led by WorkSafe identified a comprehensive absence of safe work procedures at the company, underlining a neglectful approach towards trail-riding risk assessment and profound disregard for considering age, riding skills, and experience while maintaining a weak supervision ratio.
In light of such events, businesses akin to Blazing Saddles are urged to instil safety measures comparable to those entrenched in policies, SWMS and WHS management systems to ensure accidents like these can be prevented. This implies implementing formal assessments of riding skills; assigning at least two guides per trail ride; ensuring proper helmet fitting and securement; setting an age limit on rides and providing necessary assistance for young, inexperienced riders; and preparing the staff with adequate knowledge to manage falls during trails.
This series of incidents amplifies the necessity for companies dealing with animal-related activities to undertake their responsibilities seriously. WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Sam Jenkin lamented the significant negative impact on the young boy’s life due to the said company’s negligence and disregard for essential control mechanisms aimed at mitigating risk and harm to customers. He stressed the critical function of structured management systems like Bluesafe SWMS to moderate inherent risks, especially for younger children and less experienced participants dealing with unpredictable animals.
For more information:
Email: media@worksafe.vic.gov.au
Phone: 0438 786 968
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Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2024-08/90000-fine-after-children-hurt-horse-riding-falls