EXTREME WEATHER POLICY
Purpose
To manage the risks of adverse health and welfare effects to members and horses at club rallies/events associated with the conduct of club activities in extreme weather conditions.
Principles
When weather conditions have the potential to affect the health and safety of participants and/or welfare of horses at club rallies and events, organisers are expected to take steps to reduce the risk of illness or injury.
Policy
1. It is expected that organisers will observe all Extreme Weather alerts including alerts of storms, extreme winds, and extreme fire danger and will not knowingly bring members into danger. Travel bans issued by VicRoads in the case of fire or flood must also be observed.
2. The rally or event should be cancelled, postponed or measures should be taken to modify activities in the event of the following extreme weather conditions:
a. Forecast temperature 24 hrs prior to the rally or event is for 38°C and above.
b. Severe storm warnings – heavy rain, winds, lightning or hail.
c. Presence of lightning at any time.
d. Extreme fire danger.
e. Unsafe riding surfaces as a result of prior rainfall.
Options for modifying activities can be one of the following:
f. Scheduling activities for the cooler parts of the day (early morning or late evening).
g. Reducing duration and intensity of planned activities.
h. Re-location to a venue that provides protection from the extreme weather conditions or more suitable riding surface.
The Elders weather information site provides comprehensive and easy to follow weather forecasts using BOM data. Go to www.eldersweather.com.au.
3. Where forecasts indicate that an official event may be impacted by extreme weather, the Club should consider initiating arrangements to cancel or modify the event between 72 and 48 hours prior. All reasonable steps should be taken to notify members, competitors and officials of the changes. For an Event revised arrangements are to be advertised on the event and HRCAV website. Where sudden changes to the weather forecast necessitate cancellation or modification of the event less than 48 hour prior, organisers are required to take reasonable steps to advertise the revised arrangements and notify all participants in person via telephone or SMS. Where the option to enter on the day is offered, event programs should include advice to competitors on how to determine the status of the event should extreme weather conditions be forecast.
4. An adequate supply of fresh water for both horses and people is available at the rally/event venue.
To manage the risks of adverse health and welfare effects to members and horses at club rallies/events associated with the conduct of club activities in extreme weather conditions.
Principles
When weather conditions have the potential to affect the health and safety of participants and/or welfare of horses at club rallies and events, organisers are expected to take steps to reduce the risk of illness or injury.
Policy
1. It is expected that organisers will observe all Extreme Weather alerts including alerts of storms, extreme winds, and extreme fire danger and will not knowingly bring members into danger. Travel bans issued by VicRoads in the case of fire or flood must also be observed.
2. The rally or event should be cancelled, postponed or measures should be taken to modify activities in the event of the following extreme weather conditions:
a. Forecast temperature 24 hrs prior to the rally or event is for 38°C and above.
b. Severe storm warnings – heavy rain, winds, lightning or hail.
c. Presence of lightning at any time.
d. Extreme fire danger.
e. Unsafe riding surfaces as a result of prior rainfall.
Options for modifying activities can be one of the following:
f. Scheduling activities for the cooler parts of the day (early morning or late evening).
g. Reducing duration and intensity of planned activities.
h. Re-location to a venue that provides protection from the extreme weather conditions or more suitable riding surface.
The Elders weather information site provides comprehensive and easy to follow weather forecasts using BOM data. Go to www.eldersweather.com.au.
3. Where forecasts indicate that an official event may be impacted by extreme weather, the Club should consider initiating arrangements to cancel or modify the event between 72 and 48 hours prior. All reasonable steps should be taken to notify members, competitors and officials of the changes. For an Event revised arrangements are to be advertised on the event and HRCAV website. Where sudden changes to the weather forecast necessitate cancellation or modification of the event less than 48 hour prior, organisers are required to take reasonable steps to advertise the revised arrangements and notify all participants in person via telephone or SMS. Where the option to enter on the day is offered, event programs should include advice to competitors on how to determine the status of the event should extreme weather conditions be forecast.
4. An adequate supply of fresh water for both horses and people is available at the rally/event venue.