The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) released the following Notice to the Industry Tuesday, May 5 regarding an extension to the requirement to wear a safety vest while jogging or working horses on racetrack grounds
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Next phase in safety vest requirement extended to October 1
Due to manufacturing and supply issues, the deadline for all standardbred licensees to be wearing a safety vest while jogging or working a horse on the grounds of a racetrack has been extended to October 1, 2009.
Under new rules issued in 2008, the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) approved a requirement for safety vests for all persons working with standardbred horses on the premises of a racetrack. While the requirement to use safety vests during races went into effect last fall, the next rollout for all other persons had been set for June 1, 2009.
It has always been the intention of the ORC to align this phase of the roll out to the availability of the vest made to the new ASTM Standard F2681. Manufacturing issues have delayed the availability of vests, which will not be in tack shops until late summer.
To view the Notice in its entirety, click here.
To view a copy of the Standardbred Directive 3, click here.
(ORC)