Incidents involving animals awareness level presentation

Incidents involving large animals

(c) Horse SA 2018. Information is a guide
only. Seek advice for your own situation.
Incidents involving large animals:
Awareness level presentation
The aim of this presentation is to raise awareness of keeping people safer when
working under supervision at an incident involving a horse.
The information may assist businesses and clubs to consider taking a systematic
approach to planning, training and reviewing preparation for incidents
that may occur in the workplace or as a result of natural disasters
or biosecurity risks.
Prepared by Horse SA Enquiries horsesa@horsesa.asn.au
Visit Horse SA for information about this presentation as an online course.

1. The benefits of planning to manage incidents involving large animals
2. How can improvements be made from what might have been done in the past?
3. Awareness of horse behaviours
4. Safer places when working around horses
5. What risks are in your workplace?
6. What will the person responsible for planning how to manage an incident need to consider?
7. Workplaces where people interact with horses
8. Care for people
9. Working as a team around a deceased horse
10. Safer workplaces for horses
11. Control of a horse at an incident
12. Planning tools for horse owners
13. Improving responses to incidents involving large animals
14. Command and communication
15. Equipment
16. Customising staff or volunteer training
17. Key roles at an incident involving a horse
18. Further job roles to identify for managing incidents involving a large animals
19. Working under supervision at an incident involving a large animals
20. Basic techniques to move a recumbent large animal
21. Specialist equipment: Rescue glides
22. Specialist equipment: Mud and lifts
23. Conclusion
Contents

The benefits include:
Providing an animal‐centred approach to moving a horse from a place of
danger to a place of safety,
Adoption of a command and communication system which helps keep
people safer, in turn, increasing the likelihood of a successful rescue
You will meet and try to work calmly with a horse on what is
possibly the worst day of their life!
1. The benefits of planning to manage incidents involving large
animals

An incident involving an injured or trapped horse may have
additional risk factors including:
• Confined spaces
• Unstable surfaces e.g. mud, sand
• Heavy lifting (mechanical)
• Unstable infrastructure
• Road crash hazards
• Poor light, adverse weather
• Public events with spectators
• Natural disasters
• Heights, holes, ditches
• Still or flowing water
• Biosecurity threats
• Chemicals, down power lines etc.
1. The benefits of planning to manage incidents involving
large animals

2. How can improvements be made from what might have
been done in the past?
a) Animal‐centred approach
A similar analogy to a veterinarian working with a
team of people rescuing a horse involved in an
incident is a paramedic at a road crash rescue. The
paramedic keeps a focus on the human patient
while working as part of an emergency services
rescue crew.
b) Command and communication system
An Incident Commander is in control. Employees
and volunteers know their jobs, and/or work
effectively as a team. The team may or may not
include emergency services.

c) Improved manual handling techniques & specialist equipment
Improved ways of managing incidents involving large animals include
techniques and systems of work to keep people safer. Improvements
include the use of specialist equipment for safer handling of the horse
casualty.
2. How can improvements be made from what might have
been done in the past?

An awareness of horse behaviours will help
keep people and horses safer.
Horses are prey animals, with a ‘flight or
fight’ response. They live in herds, seeking
out the company of other horses.
If a stressed horse involved in an incident
may try to run away (flight).
iStock iStock

A stressed horse may also show
behaviours which includes laying ears
back, tail swishing, kicking, striking,
biting, head‐butting, rearing, buck or
pulling back on ropes.
These behaviours may be considered
defensive behaviours (fight).
Horses react, they do not stop and
think through the actions they may
take.
This includes displaying behaviours
which may inadvertently injure people,
even people familiar with the horse or
the owner.

Keeping a watch on the body language of
horses, including the ears, can assist to assess
their mental state.
Unlike dogs (predators), horses stay quiet
when injured or trapped (think of a wild horse
who may be injured but not want to attract
attention to a predator).
When in trouble, horses may lie ‘quiet’, but
then dangerously ‘explode’ when stimulated,
appearing to disregard their own safety or that
of surrounding people.
Watching and interpreting the body language
of horses can help people to select safer
places to work from when near a horse.

Understanding the risks associated with your workplace will help plan for emergencies.
Let's take the example workplace of public events with sport & recreation horse
activities.
• Horse events have rule books and officials to ensure that the competition is
conducted fairly, and in a safe manner for people and horses.
• Most events rely on volunteers and are attended by spectators.
• The organising committee, officials and participants check many aspects affecting
safety including course design, length, ground conditions and weather.
• Personnel are in place to assist with the incident management, including first aid
and veterinarians.
5. What risks are in your workplace?

The person responsible may consider:
• The types of incidents which may occur involving a horse & rider or handler
• Who are the trained people available to assist?
• Who will take control of the incident?
• What rescue techniques might need to be used?
• Do any techniques need pre‐approvals?
• What specialist equipment is available?
• Access & egress for heavy lift equipment, human and horse ambulances
• Possibility for diseases to cross between humans and horses
• The agreed time to call in for outside help
6. What will the person responsible for planning how to
manage an incident need to consider?

An important consideration is the workplace context for
employees and many volunteers.
Australia: In January 2017 NSW Parliament passed the
‘Code of Practice: Managing Risks when New or
Inexperienced Riders or Handlers Interact with Horses in
the Workplace’ as an approved code of practice under
section 274 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
This strengthens a similar national guideline carried by
SafeWork Australia ‘Guide to managing risks when new
and inexperienced persons interact with horses’.
In Australia, all jurisdictions are covered by
WHS legislation. As far as reasonably practicable,
employers are required to provide and maintain a working
environment that is safe and without risks to health,
including psychological health.

Therefore, in any workplace, including farms,
businesses, most clubs and at events, there are
responsibilities including:
Workplace risk assessments and risk reduction actions
(e.g. horse incident management plan)
• An employer/committee to clearly identify each
workers/volunteer job roles
• Workers/volunteers must be involved in decision
making about safer workplaces, including
contribution, practice and review of written policies
and operating procedures.
• Workers/volunteers to be supervised, trained for the
agreed job roles, inducted into the workplace, wear
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & be familiar
with tools.
This includes the expected and planned roles workers
or volunteers may take during an incident or natural
disaster.

Psychological health of workers and volunteers is also
important.
Causes of stress are many, including:
• bullying or harassment
• a traumatic event such as an incident involving a horse
• natural disasters where horses are lost
It is important to debrief after incidents.
A ‘hot’ debrief immediately afterwards before people go
home, and then, a second debrief after reflection has taken
place.
Debriefs may identify where improvements to skills,
equipment or techniques can be made.
Debriefs can be a time to remind people that extra personal
support is available, for which referrals can be made.
8. Care for people

Working as a team around a deceased horse may cause
distress for some people.
Before an incident occurs, discuss ways to reduce
stress amongst team members. For example:
• Awareness that people involved directly with the
incident and others, e.g. spectators, may be
distressed
• Select empathetic verbal and non‐verbal
communication
• Communication must be clear & concise to
complete the management of the incident in a
timely manner
• Handling the deceased horse’s limbs, head and
body with care, and for all parts of the horse to
travel together

• Placing belongings e.g. saddle, quietly and
promptly into a separate vehicle or
allocated area
• Clear & tidy the scene prior to taking down
screens
• Driving the horse ambulance at a sedate
and considered speed, using the same
driving skills as for live horses
• Maintain confidentiality at all times
• Keep deceased horse covered and attended
at all times, especially where there is public
or client access (if possible)

Improved horse welfare includes planning and
training for a range of scenarios which may occur as
incidents, natural disasters or biosecurity risks.
There are legal obligations relating to the welfare of
animals as noted in state legislation, Codes of
Practice, rule books and workplace policies.
There is also the expectation by the wider society
that the welfare of horses will be carefully managed
in workplaces where humans and horses interact.
Increasingly, horse organisations and businesses are
appointing Horse Welfare Officers to give focus to
this need, and in turn, create a safer workplace for
horses.
10. Safer workplaces for horses

To help keep people safer and assist
the horse through a rescue, a
veterinarian may consider chemical
control (sedation or anaesthesia).
Advantages
• Aims to increase safety at the scene
for people and the horse casualty
• May reduce stress for the horse
• May allow for recumbent transport
• Can be administered remotely (e.g.
darting)
Photo: Friends of Hampshire Fire & Rescue

Disadvantages
• The level of stress in the horse will affect
response to the drugs
• Skills & knowledge are required to
facilitate a safer recovery
• Suitable area to assist a horse recover
• A weak horse could fall back into the
hazard, as already compromised
• People get a false sense of security and
may fail to take strong safety
precautions
The Incident Controller will discuss with the
vet the plan to move a horse from a place of
danger to a place of safety.
This includes how long it will take, and what
level of chemical control is required, and
where recovery will take place.
Photo: Friends of Hampshire Fire & Rescue

12. Planning tools for horse owners
A link to download PDF files of the following planning tools is here.

The benefits of considering how incidents involving large animals could be managed
include:
An animal‐centred approach to moving a horse from a place of danger to a place of
safety
Adoption of a command and communication system which helps keep people safer,
and in turn, increasing the likelihood of a successful rescue

Each farm, business, club, or event needs to
evaluate their own horse related risks,
prepare a plan, and provide a customised
training program for staff or volunteers.
As part of planning, it is recognised when
emergency services or other agency may need
to be called.
In South Australia, the State Emergency
Service is rolling out Large Animal Rescue units
across the state based on Biosecurity SA
Property Identification Code (PIC) data & past
incident attendance.
Likewise, other states of Australia also
introducing training and providing equipment
for emergency services personnel.

To help manage an incident in an organised way Emergency Service Organisations
(ESO)s will:
• Establish an Incident Command and Control System (ICCS)
• Utilise the Australasian Inter‐service Incident Management System (AIIMS)
Businesses, clubs and events will also need to consider what command and
communication system will be utilized
14. Command and Communication

Each workplace will have different kits and
resources available which staff and volunteers
ideally become familiarised with during
training courses.
Kits may include:
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• A range of ropes
• Strong halter, long lead ropes
• Strop guide
• Leg crooks
• Slings, straps
• Rescue glide
• Screens, tarpaulins
• Towels, spare horse rug
15. Equipment

Training for staff or volunteers in relation to incidents
involving large animals is ideally customised within the
context of the identified workplace risks and other
training received.
As an example, the South Australian State Emergency
Service (SES) customise large animal rescue training in
the context of other training provided to SES volunteers.
As volunteers already cover incident scene safety,
command & control, equipment use, plus hazard
identification & management, they are able to focus
more on the animal‐specific content during their large
animal rescue course.
SES volunteers are supported with a yearly skills
maintenance session to help keep their training current.
Each workplace will need to identify what training and
regular updates that staff or volunteers require.
16. Customising staff or volunteer training
Photo: SA SES

There are many roles to fulfil when managing an
incident. Let's look at a few key ones, being the
Incident Controller, veterinarian, horse handler and
person responsible for the horse.
Incident Controller
A trained person who takes control of the scene
until emergency services arrive (if required)
• Plans actions with team members
• Seeks specialist skills and knowledge advice to
enable a successful rescue e.g. veterinary
• Approves actions
• Oversees safety of all people
• Allocates job roles and tasks
• Manages the incident through to conclusion,
supervising workers
• Liaises with media
• Reports on the incident

Veterinarian
• Triage
• Provides advice as to status as rescue or
recovery
• Helps to keep people safer (chemical
restraint)
• Casualty management
• Stabilizes case before rescue
• Considers diseases which may affect both
humans and horses
• Assists in recovery following the use of
chemical control
• Post‐rescue treatments & advice to owners

Horse handler
• Restrains the horse
• Assists a recumbent horse to remain laying
down
• Provides feedback on horse behaviour and
vital signs observations to the team
• Helps to keep the horse calm
• Keeps personal escape route open
• Gives commands for ‘haul’ and ‘stop’ when
Incident Commander clears as ready for
rescue
Skills include:
Apply emergency halter from either side
Remote cutting of a lead rope
Remote attachment of lead rope
18. Further job roles to identify for managing incidents
involving a large animals

Person responsible for the horse
(Event Horse Welfare Officers may have prior authority to
act in this role if owners are not present)
• Assists to keep the scene calm
• Halters or contains horse (if possible)
• Take steps to keep themselves and others safer until
help arrives
• Observes & records horse health status until vet arrives
• Works as an effective team member with others
• Arrange for rugs, feed, and companion horse (if
available)
• Provides authority for hire of specialist equipment (if
required)
• Plans for post‐rescue care e.g. transfer to veterinary
hospital
Stay calm and be an effective team member
18. Further job roles to identify for managing incidents involving
a large animals

Safety Officer: This role works under the supervision of the
Incident Controller to ensure people remain in their safety
zones, wear PPE and keeps an eye out for factors which may
compromise the safety of workers. The Safety Officer will hand
over to emergency services on arrival (if required).
General crew: Works under supervision of the incident
controller to haul ropes, or undertake other tasks.
Incident Reporter: This role, situated in the ‘cold zone’ reports
on aspects of the incident which will support debriefs, post‐
event reports, insurance claims etc.
The job roles will vary according to the type of incident, and the
people and resources available.
18. Further job roles to identify for managing incidents involving a
large animals

This chart is an example which may
be adapted for horse events.
The tool can be downloaded from a
link on the last page of this course,
titled ‘planning tools’.
18. Further job roles to
identify for managing
incidents involving a large
animals

The awareness level information in this
educational resource provides insights into
working under the supervision of a trained
Incident Controller (IC).
Incident controllers are people who have had
training and practice.
A veterinary assessment is required to ensure
animal casualty care, and provide advice in
relation to proposed rescue plans.
The command and communication system and
an animal‐centred approach also allow for the
management of deceased horses with dignity.
19. Working under supervision at an incident involving a
large animals

Prior to undertaking a rescue, the IC will hold
a briefing for workers or volunteers.
• How is the rescue scene to be managed?
• What is the rescue plan?
• How will the animal casualty be prepared?
e.g. sedated
• Who will do what task
• Who can call out ‘stop!’
• Where are the human escape routes?
• What if the horse suddenly jumps up?
• Information about packing up after
• Where to attend a hot debrief afterwards,
and if there may be another longer debrief
at a later date
• Answer questions if clarification of tasks is
required
19. Working under supervision at an incident involving a
large animals

20. Basic techniques to move a recumbent large animal
The Incident Controller will supervise the team to undertake a rescue, taking the
task through to completion. The illustrations show a selection of techniques
available to move a recumbent large animal.

Rescue glides (or sometimes known as slides or skids) may only be utilized to
transport a live horse if a veterinarian is present to provide chemical control.
Glides have many uses, including assisting to disperse weight over mud or sand.
Deceased horses can be moved with dignity using a glide. Packaging (folding up
the legs) of a deceased horse onto glide assists with preparation for transport to
an animal crematorium.

There are several models of large animal rescue glides
available worldwide.
Each glide kit will have manufacturers recommendations
for how to package up a large animal according to
fixtures and fittings available.
Horses and other large animals will need to be secured
on the glide to ensure they do not slide off in any
direction.
If a glide is available for your business or event, it is
important not only to familiarise yourself with the glide
kit but also practice packaging configurations and
manoeuvres.
A mannequin horse is a useful tool to support this type
of training.

22. Specialist equipment: Mud and lifts
Specialist equipment is available to assist where a greater level of technical
difficulty exists, e.g. mud or a mechanical heavy lift.
Two items which may be held by Emergency Service Organisations include a mud
path (below left) and a quick release sling (below right).
As a part of planning for incidents involving large animals in the workplace, it is
useful to find out what resources may be available within your local geographic
area.

23. Conclusion
This educational resource raises awareness about the
importance of keeping people safer, animal‐centred
incident management and adoption of a command
and communication system.
Also discussed was the importance of identifying risks
in the workplace involving large animals, and reducing
the risks, including providing people with supervision
and training.
Farms, businesses and non‐profit organisations are
invited to consider developing plans and sourcing
customised training for Incident Controllers and other
defined roles associated with businesses, events,
natural disasters and biosecurity risks.

24. Links and Horse SA contact
Resources mentioned in this course
Guide to reducing risks when new and inexperienced people interact with horses
Code of Practice: Managing risks when new or inexperienced riders or handlers interact with horses in the
workplace
Planning and job role tools: Horse transport travel card, personnel job roles, 7 point horse emergency plan,
Incidents involving large animals, what’s your plan?‐ download here
General links
Australian Horse Welfare and Well‐being Toolkit
Equine Emergency Rescue
Self‐assessment guide for community event organisers
Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue
Farmers’ Guidebook to work health and safety
Organisations
Horse SA
Skills Impact
Australian Disaster Resilience Knowledge Hub
SA State Emergency Service
British Animal Rescue & Trauma Care Association
Contact Horse SA
Email: horsesa@horsesa.asn.au
Website: www.horsesa.asn.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAHorse/

Incidents involving animals awareness level presentation

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to Incidents involving animals awareness level presentation

Similar to Incidents involving animals awareness level presentation (13)

More from Horse SA

More from Horse SA (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Incidents involving animals awareness level presentation