Safety Alerts- Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
Managing drowning risks at publicly accessible pools
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Swimming pools are used mainly by children and young people as an avenue for having fun. While the death of anyone from drowning is a tragedy, the death of a child or a young person is catastrophic.
There are substantial penalties in the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (Act) if it is found that a pool operator has not taken adequate steps to prevent a person drowning.
The Royal Life Saving Society Australia (RLSSA) has developed guidelines, in consultation with the aquatics industry across Australia, to provide advice to the industry on the minimum requirements to prevent or minimise the risk of drowning in publicly accessible pools.
The guidelines cover:
•Safe Pool Operations
Guidance for pool operators as a minimum standard for operating their pools.
•Water Safety
Guidance for aquatic environments operated by bodies corporate, hotels, motels, camping and caravan grounds, commercial learn to swim schools and school pools and aquatic environments that are part of urban water developments.
•Water Safety - Body Corporate Pools
Guidance for aquatic amenities such as residential units, apartment blocks, high rise style apartments and retirement villages.
•Water Safety - Hotel, Motel, Camping and Caravan Grounds
Guidance for any swimming pool and/or spa facility within a resort, hotel, motel, camping of caravan ground environment.
•Water Safety - Commercial Learn to Swim and School Pools
Guidance for any swimming pool and/or spa facility within a commercial learn to swim environment of a swimming pool or a pool located at a school.
•Water Safety - Urban Water Developments
Guidance for purpose-built water environments near or around areas where the general public may go, e.g. parkland and reserves.
The guidelines are available at www.royallifesaving.com.au.
The RLSSA also produces a number of fact sheets and national polices to assist swimming pool operators and inspectors.
The policies are approved by the Royal Life Saving National Council and are reviewed at regular intervals.
Copies of the fact sheets can be found at: www.royallifesaving.com.au/www/html/156-fact-sheets.asp
Copies of the policies can be found at: www.royallifesaving.com.au/www/html/441-national-policies-.asp
For more information phone Workplace Health and Safety Infoline on 1300 369 915.
Inflatable water balls
The purpose of this alert is to inform owners and operators of inflatable water balls of the possible risks with their use. This alert also provides some information on risk control measures.
Click here for FULL SAFETY ALERT
Whizzer, Cha Cha and Sizzler-type amusement rides
This safety alert is to inform amusement ride operators of hazards associated with the operation of Whizzer-type amusement rides. Control measures to minimise the risk of serious injuries are also included. Photograph 1 shows a view of a Whizzer-type ride.