Meredith Chapman. Dr of Philosophy Human Health and Social Science-CQU - Study Survey

Topic: Investigating the Workplace Health and Safety Framework to reduce horse-related human injuries and fatalities in a work and non-work environment.

Summary and significance of the research:

Study 1. (Survey) Aims to investigate why humans are prepared to knowledgeably or naively take risks when interacting with horses. This is a significant component of this larger study as empirical and anecdotal evidence suggests some humans are unaware of the risks when interacting with horses and others accept and take risks knowing they will eventually get injured or possibly killed.

Survey Link:

Closing date: 27.07.2018

Study 2. Using access to NCIS database (Ethics approval already received) will analyse horse-related human pre-accident events, identifying WHS system failures that lead to several (minimal of 100) human fatalities during an interaction with a horse. This will categorize causation trends, assuming if anyone event or a number were changed the outcomes of the incident could have different or even prevented.

Study 3. Having the data from Study 1 and 2, it will highlight specific WHS safety improvements within the equestrian industry that can be adopted in a variety of equestrian settings for analysis and moreover, monitored for their effectiveness in mitigating human injury, along with the evaluation of any changes to human risk perception and behaviours.

This research is focused on identifying and filling the gaps within the equestrian industry with respect to improving WHS practices and providing guidance for regulatory processes. Furthermore, this study will provide multiple peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations in improved equestrian risk management and opportunities for cultural change through enhanced risk perception of equestrian riders and handlers. This project has the prospect of providing a significant volume of data which can be used to leverage future funding for additional research and interventions to investigate more substantial and regulated risk management processes. Moreover, this research will enhance education, application and policy development in an industry that has minimal industry specific regulation or monitoring requirements. Finally, the bottom line is this research has significant benefits in reducing future horse-related human injuries and fatalities, thus reducing the economic costs of rehabilitation, in a work and non-work related context.

Timeline: Anticipated completion date 02.01.2021. I am planning on finishing prior to this date

You can follow this research on ResearchGate or Facebook – Talkinabout Equine Safety

Thank you for your interest in my research and I welcome your support.

Meredith Chapman
E: m.j.chapman@cqu.edu.au
Mob: 0429 926 364