news
RoSPA launches new Working Time Regulations
Greetings from Walt Taylor,
consultancy package
President of the World Farriers
Association
Firms are being offered a helping hand to meet the demands of working time rules
with a new service from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. RoSPA’s
Working Time Regulations Review has been developed to aid businesses keen to Asian farriers are fortunate to have the leadership and
ensure they are protecting their staff, and meeting legal requirements. influence of the Japan Farriers Association (JFA), which
All employers have a duty under the Working Time Regulations to manage the
is working toward better foot care and farriery. The JFA
amount of hours their staff work. RoSPA’s review offers an alternative to confusion
is stalwart in its support of the WFA, and that support
with a visit from one of the safety charity’s consultants to evaluate the extent of
has helped around the rest of the world, as well. We look
an organisation’s compliance with the regulations and offer business-enhancing
forward to a continued good relationship with the JFA with
advice. It is also available as a desktop review.
Dr. Imahara as its new President. Our good and long-time
friend Dr Osamu (Sammy) Aoki is now the International
The service can include the creation of an appropriate working time policy, the
Secretary of JFA.
inclusion of working time issues within procedures and help with planning, setting,
and monitoring standards.
The WFA volunteered to sponsor a speaker at the AFA
convention that will be held in Portland, Oregon, in
The consultant’s report provides firms with a step-by-step approach to an effective
February 2010. That offer has been accepted by the
and lasting programme for the management of working time issues. In addition, the
AFA. The WFA worked abroad for about 15 years training
service identifies key procedures which can help to lower the risk of work-related ill
farriers, veterinarians, and users of equidae in better care
health which can stem from excessive working at all levels within organisations. See
of their animals. Part of that was training farriers to be
www.rospa.com/consultancy/managing/workingtime.htm for more information.
trainers where few skills existed in the past. We began that
Alternatively, contact RoSPA’s consultancy team on
work in Mexico in 1989.
consultancy@rospa.com or call 0121 248 2076.
We are pleased to be sponsoring Marco Antonio Torres
to be WFA speaker at the AFA Convention. Marco was
one of the first men trained by the WFA in modern foot
WCF higher qualifications – care and farriery in Mexico. Since his training, he has been
an update by Stuart Craig
working as a farrier for equine welfare 'treatment teams'
across Mexico and into Central America.
For the past three years, the WFA has sponsored
In July, the FRC distributed a letter from me along with its Bulletin. The letter
an International reception for attendees at the AFA
was about the importance of encouraging farriers to put themselves forward
convention. All farriers and guests from countries other
for higher WCF qualifications, the Associate and the Fellowship. Here, I want
than the USA are invited to an event where they can get
to give you an update on what’s happening, and what I have learned in these
acquainted with each other and learn more about the
past few months. It is all good stuff.
WFA, as well as getting help with any problem they might
encounter while at the AFA convention. This year, the
Mentors
Shoein' Shop of Yucaipa, California, made a significant
I find it really amazing just how many ‘mentors’ are out there, willing and contribution to the WFA to help with the cost of this
eager to help you get started towards your AWCF or FWCF. These passionate reception. Lee Green's support has been invaluable over
farriers have got in touch with me to give me their contact details. So, whether the years.
you wish to attain a higher exam, practise for a shoeing competition or have
Farrier Products Distribution (FPD) of Shelbyville, Kentucky,
a forge ‘knock about’, I can help by putting you in contact with a mentor who
has donated over a ton of obsolete horseshoe nails to
will help you. Get in touch with me and I will do the rest!
the WFA. FPD has agreed to ship the nails to their foreign
Wales destination, as well. Dan Burke and Linda Hill are to be
The Welsh farriers have formed their own CPD organisation chaired by Terry
thanked for this! We are in the process of getting the
Anthony. They currently hire the forge at the Royal Welsh Showground and
details worked out to ship them to Mexico where they
are completely self-funded. Kicked off by Slim Symons and Terry three
will be used for training and supplies/incentives for local
years ago, the group run seminars and shoe making clinics for farriers and
farriers.
apprentices. They have mentors such as Tony Wilson, Elgan Harries and So far, this has been a good and productive year. If any
Grant Moon, and also have received sponsorship from Stromsholm and of you have questions, comments, or any news to pass
Mustad, who have kindly donated materials. They are looking forward to along, please get in touch with us! We look forward to
Mathew Rees, Gareth Thomas and Haydn Price joining them in December. seeing you in Portland in February.
This is an excellent example of how farriers have got themselves organised,
About Walt
not only as a community, but also as mentors to promote the very best of our
craft. The Welsh website,
www.wfba.org.uk, will announce developments and
Walt shod his first horse in 1948 and his subsequent
others may wish to set up their own group or join in with the Welsh.
career in farriery has led him to shoe horses and judge
farrier competitions all over the world. Walt earned a
Yorkshire
Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado A&M College
In my last letter I told you about the exciting and trend-setting happenings in in Fort Collins, Colorado, in 1955. In 1969, he conceived
Yorkshire. Steve Hewitt says the group is growing and another eight farriers the American Farriers Association (AFA) that was chartered
are going for higher WCF examinations, and some are even going for gold in May 1971, and he still retains his membership number,
– the FWCF. Steve emphasised that the camaraderie and mutual support number 1! For the next 15 years, Walt served as President
across the group was tremendous (see CPD Informer on page 19). of the AFA, during which time he helped establish many of
Lincoln
the programmes currently in use. In 1984, Walt founded
I have received early reports of activity starting around Lincoln and when I find
the World Farriers Association (WFA), in collaboration
out more I will let you know.
with the Japan Farriers Association, and the National
Association of Farriers, Blacksmiths, and Agricultural
Richard Ellis
Engineers in Britain. Appointed the first President of the
Richard tells me that he hold regular ‘shoe-Ins’ and he can take four farriers WFA, he worked tirelessly to assist in the formation/
and/or apprentices, so why not give it a go? Richard will even set you reformation of associations for farriers in Ireland, Italy,
homework if you are up for it. Jordan, Morocco, Mexico, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago.
If you would like help finding a mentor, if you want to be a mentor, or if you
In his capacity as President, Walt also provides liaison
have a suitable venue, just call me, Stuart Craig, on 07930 323263. Let's
between farrier organisations and governmental bodies, as
keep the ball rolling.
well as educational institutions.
ForF rggee | October 2009| OctOcOctc obeoobb rr 220009009 313
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