Life Saving Victoria launches Safer Public Pools Code of Practice

Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp has officially launched the Safer Public Pools - Code of Practice at Life Saving Victoria’s seventh annual Pool Safety Summit.

Introducing the Code of Practice, Life Saving Victoria General Manager - Public Training and Pool Safety, Andy Dennis advised “the aim of the Code is to provide practical guidance to those with responsibilities under the Occupational Health & Safety Act and Regulations. It is intended to provide consistency regarding the application and review of industry standards, bench-marking and reporting.

“It has been developed as a framework to work seamlessly with existing requirements, standards and best practice recommendations. It’s our hope that it will strengthen the industry and positively contribute towards aquatic industry water safety initiatives.”

The Code of Practice is the centre-piece of the Safer Public Pools project, which is supported by the Victorian Government.

Funding from the Victorian Government covers:

• A Swimming pool Classification system 
• Development of a register of public pools 
• Creation of the Code of Practice 
• Improved collaboration and communication 
• Structured reporting and evaluation processes 

Held on 12th October, the Summit attracted around 200 delegates from within Victoria’s aquatic industry, which also included a trade show from aquatic industry suppliers.

Presentations at the Summit included LSV’s Principal Research Associate, Dr Bernadette Matthews, talking on Drowning Statistics and a Vulnerable Swimmers Campaign; Craig Roberts, RLSSA’s National Manager - Aquatic Risk Management talking about the New Supervision Section of the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation; City of Greater Geelong and City of Yarra Representatives discussing Staff Qualifications, Rosters and Pool Water Testing; and Maytronics Managing Director Dan Kwaczynski presenting on Drowning Detection in Public Pools.

Image: Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp (left) with Life Saving Victoria Chief Executive Nigel Taylor at the official launch of the Safer Public Pools - Code of Practice at Life Saving Victoria’s seventh annual Pool Safety Summit.