A TOTAL of 60 industry participants took part in free first aid training sessions held at the Curragh Racecourse and Fairyhouse Racecourse this month.

The courses were fully funded by HRI Health and Safety and delivered by IHRB chief medical officer Dr Jennifer Pugh and the Order of Malta.

Topics covered included concussion, CPR, defibrillator use, injury management, and how to respond to incidents such as falls, kicks, and other injuries relevant to racing.

Delivered as part of HRI’s ongoing commitment to enhance health and safety standards within the industry, the one-day training sessions equipped attendees with practical techniques and certification upon completion.

Dr Pugh commented: “This course has evolved to be one the most enjoyable aspects of my role. Equestrian workplace environments lend themselves to accidents, so knowing the basic skills to administer first aid gives confidence to our workforce and will improve outcomes for those who are injured.

“This course is tailored to deal with some of the most common scenarios we may face in our workplace and the enthusiasm of participants on the courses has made this a really valuable initiative.”

HRI Health and Safety business partner Colin Kehoe commented: “The skills participants have gained in these sessions will make a real difference in emergency situations and reflect HRI’s commitment to creating a safer working environment for everyone involved in our sport.”

Further first aid training dates will be announced via Equuip.

Web: equuip.ie