In 2004 Racing NSW was successful in securing funding from WorkCover to conduct an OH&S training program specifically for horse trainers.

The key objective of the project was:

To increase the capability of industry to apply a preventative approach to workplace health and safety systems and procedures in both metropolitan and country regions through:

Developing of a network of horse trainers as accredited industry specific OH&S trainers by:

• Delivery of 6 (six) OH&S Form Guide Train-the-Trainer course (incorporating Injury Management Systems) to Horse Trainers (approximately 80) in metropolitan, provincial and country areas of NSW.
• Conducting competency assessments and accrediting successful participants as Racing Industry OH&S Trainers (target 50%)
• Establishing an action plan for newly accredited OH&S Trainers to deliver industry specific OH&S training in metropolitan, provincial and country areas.

The WorkCover project created a good deal of interest amongst trainers, as evidenced by the return of Registration Forms (69), but the number of trainers attending the seminars was less than expected, despite mail outs to all trainers, website information, racing magazine articles and poster displays at race clubs and other places of work.

Whilst we did not deliver to 80 trainers we were able to accredit 49 attendees which represents over 50% of the original target from the objectives.