For builders, subcontractors, supervisors and tradies working at a Queensland horse riding establishment, the key point is simple: normal construction controls must be coordinated with horses, riders, workers and visitors. Horses can react suddenly to noise, movement, machinery and changes to familiar surroundings, so an otherwise routine job can create risks beyond the immediate work area.
The Queensland Horse Riding Schools, Trail Riding Establishments and Horse Riding Establishments Code of Practice 2002 is an approved code of practice. Duty holders follow the Code or another method that provides an equivalent or higher standard of work health and safety.
Main hazards to consider
Horse-related incidents can involve a person being thrown, crushed or kicked. Construction activity may increase these risks by introducing unfamiliar workers, vehicles, power tools, temporary fencing, excavations, stored materials or sudden noise.
Other common hazards include:
- mobile plant and delivery vehicles crossing horse or pedestrian routes
- open gates, damaged fences and incomplete barriers
- falls, unstable ladders and access to haylofts or roofs
- electrical equipment in outdoor, stable or wash-down areas
- manual handling of feed, fencing, saddles, materials and equipment
- hazardous chemicals, dust, animal waste, sharps and zoonotic disease
- heat, solar UV exposure, fire and limited emergency access on remote trails
- children, clients or visitors entering active work areas.
What should be sorted before work starts
The establishment and contractor should consult about the work area, horse routines and who controls each interface. Identify when horses will be moved, ridden, fed or loaded, and schedule disruptive work around those activities where practicable.
Workers and riders should receive induction information before starting work or activities. For contractors, this should cover restricted areas, gates, traffic routes, emergency contacts, horse behaviour, site rules and what to do if a horse enters the work zone.
Confirm that:
- the work area can be securely separated from horses and the public
- temporary fencing and gates are suitable and remain effective throughout the job
- deliveries, reversing and plant movements have a controlled route
- services have been identified and required isolations arranged
- noise, vibration, dust and lighting changes have been discussed with the establishment
- emergency access and communication remain available.
Riding outside an arena should follow a thorough risk assessment that considers rider competence, horse suitability, the surface and supervision. Contractors should therefore tell the establishment before changing trails, access roads, surfaces or surrounding conditions.
What good controls and documents usually cover
Useful site controls generally include physical separation, clear access rules, planned shutdowns or work windows, competent supervision and reliable communication between the contractor and the person managing the horses.
Supporting documents commonly include a site induction, risk assessment or JSA, contractor management procedure, traffic plan, isolation record, chemical register and safety data sheets, plant inspection records, emergency plan and incident reporting process. Inspection records for fences, gates, electrical equipment and affected riding areas can provide practical evidence that controls remain in place.
Electrical equipment, leads and outlets require particular attention in outdoor and wash-down areas. They should be suitable for the environment, protected from water, horse contact and mechanical damage, and arranged so they do not create trip hazards.
A sick horse can also change the work plan. Hendra virus controls include isolating a horse showing signs of illness, limiting contact, seeking veterinary advice and having an appropriate response plan, hygiene arrangements and PPE available.
When a SWMS or another site-specific document may apply
A SWMS commonly applies where the job includes high risk construction work under the requirements applying in that jurisdiction. This may include work involving falls, demolition, excavation or work near energised services. Confirm the trigger against current regulator material and the actual scope before work starts.
For work that does not require a SWMS, a site-specific risk assessment, JSA, permit or safe work procedure may still be appropriate. The document should address the real work area and its horse, rider, visitor and contractor interfaces.
Practical warning signs
Pause and clarify the job if:
- nobody is coordinating horse movements with construction activities
- workers can enter paddocks, stables or arenas without notifying staff
- temporary barriers are open, unstable or easy for a horse to breach
- children or visitors can reach the work area
- leads, tools or excavations obstruct horse routes
- a horse is ill and no biosecurity response is in place
- emergency access has been blocked or first aid arrangements are unclear
- the available SWMS or risk assessment is generic and does not match the site.
How Blue Safe can help
Blue Safe provides compliant WHS documents tailored to the client's activities, applicable Australian WHS/OHS requirements, jurisdiction and industry. Blue Safe guarantees the document compliance of the WHS documents it provides, including eligible customer documents after Blue Safe has reviewed and upgraded them.
Customers actively put the compliant documents into practice through controls, consultation, training, actions, records and evidence. Blue Safe can help align contractor management, site inductions, risk assessments, SWMS, emergency arrangements and supporting records with the work being performed at the establishment.
Local requirements vary across Australia. Check current regulator material for the jurisdiction and the actual work before starting.
Information current: 8 August 2026.