AR 123 Safety Vests

(1) When mounted on a horse, every rider must wear a properly fastened safety vest of a standard prescribed by Racing Australia, and every safety vest must be in a satisfactory condition, not have been modified in any way, and have attached to it a manufacturer’s label that states that it complies with a relevant standard prescribed or approved by Racing Australia.

(2) Notwithstanding compliance with subrule (1), every rider must wear an approved safety vest in a race, official trial, jump-out or trackwork. Approved Level 1 safety vests are: Hows Racesafe, Ozvest, Racelite Pro, Vipa, Vipa 1 and USG Flexi Race and Airowear Swift.

(3) A rider required by these Australian Rules to wear a safety vest must not have in his or her possession a safety vest that does not conform to these Australian Rules or a standard prescribed by Racing Australia, or which has been modified in any way.

(4) The Stewards may confiscate or order the satisfactory repair of any safety vest that does not comply with the requirements of subrules (1), (2) and/or (3).

(5) If an apprentice jockey breaches subrule (1), the apprentice jockey’s master and/or any other person who was in charge of the apprentice jockey at any relevant time may also be penalised unless that person satisfies the Stewards that he or she took all proper care to ensure that the apprentice jockey complied with that subrule.

Note: Pursuant to this rule, Racing Australia has ordered that the following standards of safety vests are prescribed: ARB Standard 1.1998 and European Standard EN 13158.

AR 122 Helmets

(1) When mounted on a horse, every licensed person or registered person or permit holder must wear a properly affixed helmet which meets standards that are approved by Racing Australia.

(2) Every rider is responsible for the care and condition of the rider’s helmet.

(3) A helmet will be deemed not serviceable and must be immediately replaced by a rider if:

(a) 5 years have expired since its date of manufacture; or

(b) it sustains a severe impact; or

(c) the wearer suffers from concussion following a fall.

(4) The Stewards may at any time seize a helmet for inspection and may at their absolute discretion confiscate any helmet that does not comply with the requirements of this rule.

(5) When mounted on a horse during darkness, every licensed person or registered person or permit holder must affix to his or her helmet a safety warning light of a type approved by Racing Australia, a PRA or the Stewards (except that this rule does not apply to any location where the Stewards have ruled that sufficient artificial lighting exists).

(6) If an apprentice jockey breaches subrule (1), the apprentice jockey’s master and/or any other person who was in charge of the apprentice jockey at any relevant time may also be penalised unless that person satisfies the Stewards that he or she took all proper care to ensure that the apprentice jockey complied with that subrule.

Note: Pursuant to this rule Racing Australia has ordered that:

(a) The following helmet standards are approved:

(i) AS/NZS 3838 2006;

(ii) EN 1384:2012 or EN 1384:2017;

(iii) ASTM F116 3-04a (2011), ASTM F1163-13 or ASTM F1163-15;

(iv) PAS 015:2011;

(v) VG1 01.040, Recommendation for Use, 12/12/2004.

(b) All helmets must be fitted with a nylon interlocking chinstrap clip attachment.

(c) All helmets must be clearly marked with a date of manufacture.