Riding instructors saddle up for safety training

Date:

06 October 2009

Release No:

NE348:09

Riding school owners and instructors from across County Durham saddled up for a free training day to get their health and safety knowledge up to date.

Representatives from 16 riding schools across County Durham attended the special event (5 October) at South Causey Equestrian Centre in Stanley which was organised by Durham County Council in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The aim of the event was to provide business owners and instructors with practical, common sense guidance on health and safety at riding schools.

This covered areas such as complying accident reporting, manual handling, personal protective equipment and the general safety and welfare of staff and visitors.

There was also a session on how to prevent the health problems dust can cause and an equine fire safety expert offered advice on how to protect against arson and general fire prevention.

Ian Bousfield, Senior Environmental Health Officer, who helped organised the event, said: "We are delighted with the take up and interest shown in the event by local businesses. It has been both informative and enjoyable for everyone concerned and we hope to run similar events in the future."

Paul Spurrier, Partnership Manager for HSE in Yorkshire and the North East, said: "It is great to see councils taking the initiative and working with us to provide free events for small businesses and individuals so they can benefit from up to date sensible health and safety advice. We hope that the riding schools owners and instructors got a lot out of the day and that more free events like this can be provided in the future."

Further images from the event are available from North News and Pictures.

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News and PR North East.