CDC’s Study On Safety And Health In The Horse Racing Industry

Concerns about potential work-related hazards for jockeys and other employees in the horse racing industry were raised at an October 18, 2005 hearing by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

Read the summary of the report here.

Afterward, the Chairman and the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee requested that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conduct an evaluation of safety and health concerns in the industry, and provide recommendations for racetracks for preventing occupational injury and illness risks. NIOSH provided the subcommittee with a summary report Adobe PDF file [PDF – 39 KB] of the available scientific literature and with safety and health recommendations. NIOSH then was asked to continue and expand this research.

Subsequently, NIOSH conducted on-site visits at two locations in Lexington, KY?the Keeneland race track and the North American Racing Academy?to interview state racing officials, jockeys, and others, and to collect other information pertaining to safety and health issues. NIOSH also conducted a Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) research investigation of the death of a 63-year-old jockey. Additionally, on May 22, 2007, NIOSH held a public meeting, “Safety and Health in the Horse Racing Industry and Best Practices.” This meeting brought together experts from many different areas of the horse racing industry to discuss safety and health issues. Using the knowledge gained through these efforts, NIOSH will shape a technical document to identify potential risk factors in the horse racing industry and suggest interventions to prevent work-related.

-In 2000, the licensed jockey population was estimated by the Jockey?s Guild to be approximately 2,700 [Waller et al. 2000].

-Between 1993 and 1996, 6,545 injuries occurred during official races for an injury rate of 606 per 1,000 jockey years [Waller et al. 2000].

-In a 1987 article, it was reported that more than 100 jockeys have been killed in work-related incidents since 1950 [DeBenedette 1987].

-Numerous studies in the published scientific literature conclude that the low body weight requirement for jockeys increases the risk of acquiring eating disorders and adopting unhealthy behaviors in order to control weight.

Courtesy: CDC.