Harness Racing Australia
Gear and Equipment


Please Note:  On 1st March 2008 Harness Racing Australia Inc (HRA) replaced Australian Harness Racing Council Inc (AHRC) as the organisation's name.  All AHRC's formal structures, rules, regulations, policies, processes etc., now
pertain to HRA, and any reference to Australian Harness Racing Council Inc, AHRC, Council or The Council shall mean Harness Racing Australia Inc or HRA.
 
AHRC REQUIREMENTS FOR DRIVERS' PROTECTIVE VESTS

1.  Scope

These requirements outline minimum performance, coverage and marking for protective vests to be used by harness racing drivers in Australia.

2.  Base Standard

These requirements are based on the Australian Racing Board Requirements for Riders' Protective Vests (Issue 1 - As Amended 12 October, 1998).  For use by harness racing drivers several changes are required to these requirements.  These changes are listed in Section 3.

3.  Modifications for Harness Racing Requirements

The following changes are required to the base Standard.  The numbers are the section numbers in the base standard.

Paragraph 4.1.6 shall not apply.  A crotch or leg straps are not needed for harness racing.

Paragraph 4.2.2 shall not apply.  The area of coverage described is no longer appropriate.

Figure 1 - The caption shall become - "Diagram of the protective material coverage in a protective vest flattened out for measurement."

The figure shall be changed to the figure in the attachment.

4.  Certification by Quality Assurance Services

Quality Assurance Services are authorised to act as the certification body for the protective drivers vests for use by the Australian Harness Racing Council.   Any enquiries can be directed to Colin Minter, International Certification Manager, QAS on (02) 9746 4900 (B), (02) 9746 8460 (Fax) or email colin.minter@qas.com.au.  Applications for approval to be forwarded to the Australian Harness Racing Council after certification has been completed.

ATTACHMENT 1

Figure 1 - Diagram of the protective material coverage in a protective vest flattened out for measurement.
 

ATTACHMENT 2

AUSTRALIAN RACING BOARD
REQUIREMENTS FOR RIDERS' PROTECTIVE VESTS
Issue 1 - As Amended 12 October, 1998.

1.  Foreword
1.1
 
 
These requirements have been prepared for the Australian Racing Board by Human Impact Engineering (Contact T. Gibson, 9  Rowntree Street, Balmain, NSW, Australia, 2041, Telephone: +61 2 9555 6645,
Fax: +61 2 9810 1922). 
1.2
 
 
The use of a correctly fitted garment complying with these guidelines does not guarantee the safety of the wearer and will not preclude all injuries arising from horse riding, but will prevent some injuries to the chest and spine and reduce the severity of others. 
1.3
 
 
 
 

This standard is based on the SATRA Standard referenced below. The original wording has been kept where possible, with changes in the following areas:

  • To the impact attenuation requirements to allow a more flexible vest;
  • To the pre-test conditioning requirements to ensure adequate impact performance in wet and hot conditions.
2. Scope
2.1
  
These requirements outline minimum performance, coverage and marking for protective vests to be used by jockeys and track workers in Australia. 
2.2
 
These requirements are for a vest for use in racing with emphasis on lightweight and freedom of movement.  Where more protection is required, heavier more effectively padded vests should be used. 
3.  Referenced Standard
3.1  These requirements are based on the SATRA Jockey Vest Standard - Version M6 - Dated 20/5/97. 
4.  Requirements
4.1   General
4.1.1 Common sense shall be used in the interpretation of these requirements.
4.1.2 The garment shall be easily removable without moving an injured wearer.
4.1.3
 
Where the padding consists of a laminate of two or more materials, the harder, more dense material shall be away from the wearer.
4.1.4 The protective padding shall not be easily removable.
4.1.5
 
 
Gaps between sections of padding shall be no more than 15 mm, when assembled as intended for normal use.  Two bars shall not come into effective contact (i.e. that is with only fabric, zip or fastener between), when tested by the method described in Appendix A.
4.1.6
 
Some form of retention device, e.g. crotch or leg straps, shall be incorporated to prevent the vest from 'riding up' when worn.
4.1.7
 
The garment shall be free from rough or hard edges and any hard components, e.g. buckles that are likely to cause injury to the wearer.
4.1.8  The manufacturer shall use materials, which are known not to cause irritation or disease.
4.1.9
 
 
The vest shall be designed to maximise ventilation and the wearer's comfort in hot conditions by the selection of appropriate materials and construction methods.  The protective padding shall incorporate a maximum area of through holes and grooves to aid cooling.
4.1.10
 
The manufacture of the vest shall be to an accepted quality assurance procedure, including both material proof testing and batch testing.
4.2 Area of Coverage and Sizing
4.2.1
 
The garments for test shall be washed or cleaned five times in accordance with the manufacturers instructions before testing to these requirements.
4.2.2
  
  
 
 
The protective vest shall have an area of coverage of the body of the wearer.  The protective padding shall cover the following areas of the body:-
  • The whole torso circumference.
  • The bottom edge, at the front, shall cover the ribs.
  • The bottom edge, at the rear, shall cover the wearer's coccyx.
4.2.3
 
 
These coverage area dimensional requirements are based on the body measurements in Figure 1.  The three measurements shall be taken as the mid-value of the range suggested by the manufacturer in the sizing information.
4.2.4
 
 
To measure the dimensions of the garment, it shall be opened out and laid flat as shown in Figure 2.  All measurements shall be taken on the inside.
 
   

 

 

A  chest circumference

B waist

C waist to waist over shoulder

 

   

Figure 1 - Coverage area and sizing dimensions, after the SATRA Standard (1997).                                           
 

   

   

Figure 2 - Diagram of the protective material coverage in a protective vest flattened out for
measurement, after the SATRA Standard (1997).

 

4.3 Impact Protection
4.3.1 Three samples of each size range as offered for sale shall be tested.
4.3.2
 
When tested in accordance with Appendix B, the average peak transmitted force shall not exceed 4.0 kN, with no single test exceeding 6.0 kN, when tested within 10 minutes of conditioning as follows:-
 

Ambient Conditions   The vest shall be exposed to an air temperature of 20 ± 2ºC for not less than 4 hours.
High Temperature     The vest shall be exposed to an air temperature of 40 ± 2ºC for not less than 4 hours.
Water Immersion      The vest shall be immersed in water at a temperature of 10ºC to 30ºC for not less than 4 hours.

4.4   Ergonomics
4.4.1
 
The protective vest to be tested shall be fitted to a person of the nominated size according to the manufacturers instructions.
4.4.2
 
 
 
 
The wearer, whilst standing upright, shall report any hard edges pushed into their neck, body and arms, and any areas of discomfort.  The wearer shall take several deep breaths and report any hard edges and areas of discomfort.  The wearer shall then lift both arms vertically above the head and swing both arms in a circular motion (similar to front crawl in swimming).  The wearer shall then sit down and lean forward to touch shoulders and knees, with the head tilted backward to look straight ahead.
4.4.3  If discomfort or restrictions in movement are noted, the garment shall be deemed to have failed.
4.5 Strength and effectiveness of fixings/restraints
4.5.1
 
Sections of vests may be secured by fastenings, providing they satisfy the strength tests detailed in
Appendix C and none of the components represent a hazard to the wearer.
4.5.2
 
 
 
During the tests any fixings shall not open, become detached or break in any way.  In addition there shall be no observable damage to associated fabric or stitching.  Gaps greater than 15 mm shall not develop in areas of padding and areas of protection shall not be displaced from their original positions by more than 10% of dimension A (chest girth).
5.  Instructions for Use

Manufacturer shall supply the following written information with each garment:

  • That the protective vest complies with these guidelines.

  • The name and address of the manufacturer or authorised representative.

  • Detailed fitting instructions.

  • A statement concerning the level of protection provided and a warning indicating the protective vest does not guarantee safety and will only provide limited protection.

  • Guidance for selecting a product of the appropriate level and size.

  • A warning not to modify the product in any way.

  • Washing instructions, including care of 'velcro' type fastenings where used.

6.  Markings

The garment shall be marked with the following information in a manner that it will remain legible for the foreseeable useful life of the product.

  • The name, trade mark or other means of identifying the manufacturer.

  • The style code / product reference.

  • A cloth label with the name and issue of these requirements, supplied by the Australian Racing Board.

  • The range in cm for suitable wearers of the three dimensions: A (chest circumference), B (waist) and C (waist to waist over shoulder).

  • Month and year of manufacture.

  • Textile/material care instructions.

Appendix A -  Padding Gap Test

(A1)  Principle
Two metal bars are placed above and below areas where gaps exist in the padding and a force is applied.  If the blocks of padding allow the bars to come into contact with each other the garment is deemed to fail.

(A2)  Apparatus
The lower bar consists of a plate with dimensions 15mm ± 1 mm x 45 mm ± 2 mm x 70 mm ± 2 mm deep mounted vertically onto a support.  The upper bar has dimensions 15 mm ± 1 mm x 45 mm ± 2 mm x 55 mm ± 2 mm deep, with a mass of 2.55 kg ± 0.05 kg.

(A3)  Test Procedure
The lower bar should be placed on a horizontal surface.  Prior to testing, adjacent foam blocks should be examined.  If they are a loose fit they should be moved as far apart as possible without compressing the material.  The garment should then be draped across the lower bar along the line of the gap in the padding.  The upper bar is held directly above the lower bar, and allowed to settle under its own mass.  Record if the blocks of padding allow the bars to come into effective contact with each other with only fabric, zips or other non-protective material between.

Appendix B - Impact Test

(B1)  Principle
A guided flat impactor shall be dropped onto test sample, placed over a domed anvil.  A load cell measures the peak force transmitted through the test material to the anvil.  The impact energy is determined by the drop height.

(B2)  Apparatus
The impact test apparatus shall consist of a piezo-electric load cell mounted on a rigid mass in excess of 1 000kg.  The test anvil shall be mounted directly onto the load cell, which shall be preloaded in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.  The drop velocity shall be monitored at the point of impact to within an accuracy of 2.5%.  The test instrumentation shall comply with the SAE requirements*  to a Filter Class of 1000.

The impactor has a circular flat face 80mm ± 2 mm in diameter and a total mass including the carriage of 5.0 kg ± 0.05 kg.  The anvil is 100 mm ± 1 mm in diameter with a 150 mm ± 5mm radius of curvature domed top.

* SAE J211b - Instrumentation for Impact Tests - Society of Automotive Engineers

(B3)  Test Procedure
Ten impact tests shall be carried out with a drop energy of not less than 25 J.

Appendix C - Effectiveness Of Fixings/Restraints Test

B1 Principle
Fastenings are subjected to a defined force gradually applied and held for 10 seconds.

B2 Apparatus  
Hand held force gauge and suitable clamps.

B3 Test Procedure  
A suitable subject shall wear the garment.  The closures or adjusters shall be set in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.  Each separate component of the fixing, shall be tested using the force gauge and suitable attachment.  The device shall be clamped or hooked to the edges of the garment and pull test forces of 25N shall be applied and held for 10 seconds.  During the tests any garment displacement should be noted.

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AHRC REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROVAL OF DRIVERS' PROTECTIVE VESTS
Introduction of BETA 2000 Standard - August 2004

1.  Scope
These requirements outline the minimum performance level for protective vests to be used by harness racing drivers in Australia.

2.  BETA 2000 Standard

Harness racing drivers in Australia are required to wear protective vests certified by the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) according to the BETA 2000 Standard, at the minimum performance Level 2. Certified protective vests will have an attached swing ticket marked with the Official BETA 2000 label. The performance level 2 class label is brown with white text.

The BETA Standard for Horse Rider’s Body and Shoulder Protectors: 2000 (known as the ‘BETA 2000’ Standard) is based on EN 13158:2000 Protective Clothing – Protective Jackets, body and shoulder protectors for horse riders – Requirements and test methods. This standard has been adopted for harness racing drivers in Australia in order to:

(a)  Increase the required impact performance of the vests for better driver protection.

(b)  Increase the availability of vests in the relatively small Australian market. This will ensure that the costs are kept to a minimum as vest manufacturers are given access to the market without the need for re-certification in Australia.

3.  Existing Approved Vests

The vests currently approved by the AHRC (see list) continue to be approved and acceptable for use by harness racing drivers in official races and trials.  These protective vests have been tested and approved by QAS (Standards Australia).

4.  AHRC Approval Process

A.  Applications for protective vest approval will require the manufacturer/importer/distributor to send one vest of each size to be approved direct to Human Impact Engineering marked to the attention of Tom Gibson (Director) at 18 Montague Street, Balmain, NSW 2041, Australia. Telephone: 612 9555 2444, Facsimile: 612 9555 2455, Email: enquiries@humanimpacteng.com

B.  The application will include all necessary documentation with the information that the vest(s) are certified to the BETA 2 standard by the manufacturer.   A further copy of the documentation should concurrently be sent to the Australian Harness Racing Council, Level 7, 390 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Vic 3004. Telephone: 613 9867 8033, Facsimile: 613 9866 8356, Email: ahrc@harness.org.au marked to the attention of the Chief Executive.

C.  The protective vest inspection will be as follows:

(a) Visually,
(b) Check of the sizing,
(c) Drop testing to a simplified version of the standard, mainly to check the material capability and construction,
(d)
 
 
Other tests as required will be notified from time to time and will be made. (Note, this information can be obtained directly from Human Impact Engineering).  This is to ensure compliance with the BETA 2 Certification and maintain up to date information for approval processes.
(e)
 
 
A confidential report will be prepared and sent to the Australian Harness Racing Council. In the event of a protective vest’s inspection disclosing a reported fault this will be rectified in conjunction with BETA prior to any approval being further considered by the AHRC.
(f)
 
 
 
 
 
Surveillance Testing by Human Impact Engineering. Through Human Impact Engineering, the AHRC will continue to monitor the quality of vests available to the industry. Random sample performance testing will be carried out by Human Impact Engineering to ensure that supplied vests remain in compliance with the BETA 2000 Standard. (Manufacturers should refer to the BETA 2000 requirements for certification).  Any enquiries can be directed to Tom Gibson, Director, Human Impact Engineering on (02) 9555 2444 or email
tgibson@humanimpacteng.com.
(g)
 
 
 
 
 
 
If a vest failure during the random sample testing process occurs then the following steps will be taken:
(i)    The manufacturer will be allowed to supply more samples for testing.
(ii)   If the vest fails again, this should be regarded as serious and the AHRC approval for the protective vest
       will be revoked, the  State Controlling Bodies Chairmen of Stewards notified and a public announcement
       made.
(iii)  The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA), Stockheld Park, Wetherby, LS22 4AW, England
       concurrently notified for action.

D.  The process above will be required for obtaining approval and applicants are advised that a protective vest maybe checked randomly up to once a year at the manufacturer, importer and/or distributor’s expense.

E.  The applicant and/or distributor for approval of the protective vest will be responsible for fees in the inspection and random sample testing processes undertaken by Human Impact Engineering. All fees must be paid within fourteen (14) days of invoicing. Fees will reflect the cost of testing equipment purchased and utilised in the testing process together with the specialised technical resources required to undertake the testing under the AHRC’s agreement for Human Impact Engineering to undertake the testing processes.

F.  Enquiries can be directed to the Chief Executive, Australian Harness Racing Council. Technical enquiries should be directed to Tom Gibson, Human Impact Engineering at the above contact points. However, manufacturers should refer to the BETA 2000 requirements for certification.

Rod Pollock
Chief Executive
Australian Harness Racing Council Inc.

 

Date of Implementation:   August 2004
Last Updated:   August 2004

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