QRIC Stewards call for the safe wearing of body protectors

Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) Stewards have placed harness drivers on notice to wear body protectors correctly for their own safety.

Effective immediately, all approved body protectors must be correctly fitted when driving or riding a horse and they must not be worn inside out.

It has come to the Stewards attention that some drivers are wearing body protectors inside out for comfort reasons and this is not acceptable.

In order to be approved by Harness Racing Australia (HRA) all body protectors must undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet Harness racing industry safety requirements.

The testing process is conducted on the body protector in the manner in which the manufacturer intended it to be worn by the driver.

The testing process is not performed on the body protector when it is turned inside out.

Drivers are advised that failure to comply with the correct wearing of body protectors may result in a breach of Australian Harness Racing (AHR) rule 238 and incur penalties.

AHRR 238. A person shall not fail to comply with any order, direction or requirement of the Controlling Body or the Stewards relating to harness racing or to the harness racing industry.