NP5 - Governance

Purpose

To describe how the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations, the National Aquatic Industry Strategy and the National Aquatic Industry Committee are determined and what governance is associated with these activities.

RLSSA Chief Executive Officer

The RLSSA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for strategically managing the directions of the RLSSA. Specifically the CEO has accountability for the execution of agreements between the Australian Government and RLSSA to ensure the agreement of objectives and deliverables are met within a financially sound manner.

The RLSSA CEO will assist to provide the necessary resources to those that manage, supervise, perform and verify the work under the scope of the National Aquatic Industry Safety Framework.  Resource needs (human and physical) are regularly reviewed as part of the management process.1.3 RLSSA National Manager - Aquatics

The Chief Executive Officer employs a National Manager - Aquatics.  The National Manager – Aquatics has the delegated responsibility and authority on all matters relevant to the National Aquatic Industry Safety Framework. The National Manager - Aquatics reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer on Aquatic Industry Safety matters, and has responsibility and authority to structure, implement and maintain the National Aquatic Industry Safety Framework in order to achieve the objectives and ensure compliance with the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations.

Specifically the National Manager - Aquatics has the responsibility and authority in areas such as:

• Chairing, engaging with and providing executive support to the National Aquatic Industry Committee and its members associated with the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations and National Aquatic Industry Strategy
• Verifying that the management system is implemented and maintained.
• Monitoring the state of the industry by determining where improvements are needed and presenting information with industry reference groups
• Verifying the effectiveness of action taken to prevent the recurrence of problems or prevent the occurrence of potential problems.

National Aquatic Industry Committee

The National Aquatic Industry Committee (NAIC) seeks to improve safety standards, advocate the health, social and economic benefits of the aquatic industry and improve the health and enjoyment of aquatic facilities by providing leadership in the development and review of the National Aquatic Industry Safety Framework and by facilitating engagement within the aquatic industry on drowning, injury prevention and building stronger aquatic communities.

The National Aquatic Industry Committee has established terms of reference which is reviewed every 2 years or as required.

RLSSA provide administrative support to the NAIC and will ensure a record of correspondence, e-mail and decisions of the NAIC together with a written record of any telephone conferences or face to face meetings.

Process

The NAIC meet a minimum of 2 times per year and as necessary to achieve the success measures outlined in these Terms of Reference. This includes both face to face meetings and other meetings as required, which may be via telephone or electronic means. The principal method of communication and decision making between meetings of the NAIC will be by e-mail. The timing, means and location (if applicable) of meetings are determined by the RLSSA National Manager - Aquatics in consultation with the members.

Decisions within the NAIC are made by consensus. Should consensus not be achieved or if a formal vote is requested by a member of the NAIC, each member is entitled to one vote. In order for a vote to proceed, a quorum of members must be present during the time when the meeting is considering the item. The quorum amount is referenced in the committee’s Terms of Reference.

In the case of a tie the quorum will determine whether to do further work or to submit the item to the CEO of Royal Life Saving Society - Australia with a request for direction on the matter. The request for direction will include a balanced representation of the perspectives that divided the NAIC

A summary of the meetings including recommendations and actions will be documented by the National Manager - Aquatics (or delegate). The summary should also include the entering of details of any actions arising from the meeting.

Managing Conflict of Interest

The nature of the National Aquatic Industry Committee makes it likely that conflicts of interest will arise. As a group chosen for its capacity to engage and represent industry, members may represent businesses that operate within the industry. NAIC members may also stand to either avoid or incur additional costs depending on the outcomes of NAIC deliberations. Therefore it is important that the NAIC deals with conflicts of interest appropriately and transparently to ensure the outcomes and decision that meet the needs of the industry or sector as a whole.

For the purpose of this document a conflict of interest is defined as any matter, circumstance, interest or activity affecting the NAIC member which may impair or may appear to impair the ability of the member to make a decision diligently, independently and without bias.

All NAIC members must declare all actual or perceived conflicts of interest. The Chair is responsible for ensuring this is kept up to date and available for examination by any suitable third party. Where members do have or appear to have a conflict of interest must declare this and clearly demonstrate how they will separate these interest from their role in the NAIC.

National Reference Groups

National Reference Groups (NRGs) are established on a case-by-case basis for Guidelines and are composed of representative from Government, Water Safety Organisation, Industry, Land Managers and technical experts.

State and Territory Industry Groups

The National Aquatic Industry Committee is supported by a range of local, state and territory industry organisations, governments and committees that manage and implement components of the National Aquatic Industry Safety framework within their relevant legislative and regulatory frameworks

These industry groups are of vital importance to ensuring the ongoing development, implementation and monitoring of the Aquatic Safety Industry throughout Australia.

Management of a GSPO Audit Framework

RLSSA shall maintain a nominee responsible for the leadership and management of the National GSPO Audit Program.

Each Royal Life Saving state or territory member organisation shall nominate to RLSSA an individual to manage the audit program of the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations within their state/territory.

The nominee shall be responsible for the following:

1. Ensuring the implementation of the National Audit Program, including determining the necessary resources required for the Audit program within their state/territory
2. Establishing the objectives, scope, criteria, audit methods and audit teams of individual audits within their state/territory
3. Ensuring all Auditors within their state/territory meet the qualification and accreditation requirements of RLSSA.
4. Ensure that appropriate audit records are managed and maintained in accordance with the Records Management Policy
5. Monitor and review the Audit Program within their state/territory
6. Report on the effectiveness of the Audit Program within their state/territory
7. Contribute to the Continual Improvement of the Audit Program at a National Level.