SE2 - New and Modified Safety Equipment

Purpose

To ensure that safety and rescue equipment used in Aquatic Facilities is of the highest industry standard; that fulfils operational requirements and is fit for purpose.

Policy

The owner and/or operator of an aquatic facility has a duty of care to ensure the risk of injury to employees and the aquatic users is kept to a minimum in all lifesaving activities. In meeting this duty of care, all pieces of safety equipment should be introduced only after extensive evaluation and endorsement.

No officer, employee or manufacturer has the authority to change specifications, introduce Safety Equipment or change existing approved Safety Equipment without approval.

Any new or modified gear and equipment that is to be used within an Aquatic Facility for safety or emergency purposes should undergo a comprehensive evaluation and endorsement process.

These trials and tests are to ensure the equipment is fit for safety purposes and meets a high level of quality and safety standards as determined by the National Aquatic Industry Safety Committee.

Definitions

“Safety Equipment” -- includes but is not limited to: Rescue Boards, Throw Ropes, Reach Poles, Rescue Tubes, Radios, Safety apparel including helmets; medical equipment including Oxygen Resuscitation units, resuscitation devices (airways, masks etc.) and Defibrillation units.

“Modifications”- a change or alteration, in the design or the materials, to an item of safety equipment which has been previously endorsed for use in an Aquatic Facility.

Evaluation Procedure for New Equipment

Step One: Initial Contact

A manufacturer/supplier make initial contact with an Aquatic Facility or member of the National Aquatic Industry Safety Committee. They should be supplied with:

• A copy of this policy
• An initial Equipment Assessment Report
• Contact Details

Step Two: Submission of Safety Equipment

The manufacturer/supplier should provide the following information to the Aquatic Facility or member of the National Aquatic Industry Safety Committee:

• Completed Initial Equipment Assessment Report
• Contact details for the manufacturer, all suppliers and service agents, and a listing of the role of each
• Drawings of the equipment including dimensions
• List of materials used in the manufacture
• Examples of the equipment may be required
• Documents confirming the attributes (ie: strength, durability, performance) of the equipment
• Details on the recommended retail price per unit, specifying the GST component
• Details of all warranties

Step Three: Initial Evaluation of Safety Equipment

Once the Initial Equipment Assessment Report and support evidence has been received by the Aquatic Facility or a member of the National Aquatic Industry Safety Committee a decision to trial and what type of trial should occur.

This trial may involve an initial three (3) hour evaluation to consider the safety, durability and advantage of the equipment and if the equipment should be approved for further evaluation.

All equipment should be supplied and delivered at no cost, with the supplier responsible for all repairs and costs associated with the trial. The trial format and the trialling committee will be determined by the Aquatic Facility or a member of the National Aquatic Industry Safety Committee whose responsibility it will be, and one nominated delegate.

Subject to the result of the 3 hour evaluation, the equipment may be:

• Denied for approval for further evaluation. Any re-submissions must begin from Step One. The manufacturer will be briefed as to current concerns.
• Given experimental status and placed on evaluation (Step Three).
• A letter should be sent to the manufacturer outlining the current status and proposed timeline for further evaluation.
• Approved for use. The endorsement of such equipment will be at the discretion of the Aquatic Facility or a member of the National Aquatic Industry Safety Committee. This equipment must at least meet its Industry Specifications and/ or Australian Standards.

Step Four: Trial and Evaluation

The length of the evaluation period for new safety equipment will be up to twelve (12) months. This period does not include the initial 3 hour evaluation (Step Three).

Evaluations may be undertaken in a number of aquatic locations, taking into consideration varying climates, extremes of air and sea temperatures, water conditions, etc. If the equipment is deemed not viable to be transported around the country, the Aquatic Facility or a member of the National Aquatic Industry Safety Committee may request that certain employees from other states go to the location of the equipment to trial it.

If any specific words are usually placed on this equipment (i.e. ‘Rescue’) then the words “Trial Equipment” should be displayed in their place.

The Aquatic Facility or a member of the National Aquatic Industry Safety Committee should co-ordinate the collection and evaluation of data pertaining to the safety, durability and effectiveness of the equipment. The collation of such data should be circulated to the National Aquatic Industry Safety Committee if they have not been involved.

At the completion of the evaluation a comprehensive report should be presented to the National Aquatic Industry Safety Committee by those evaluating the equipment. This report shall be unbiased, presenting information which clearly evaluates the equipment’s performance and the conditions and situations encountered while on trial.

Step Five: Endorsement or Non Endorsement

On receipt of all reports and evaluations the Aquatic Facilities and/or National Aquatic Industry Safety Committee will either endorse the equipment for use in Aquatic Facilities and activities or not endorse the equipment.

Endorsed

If equipment is endorsed a letter will be sent to the person/company who submitted the equipment stating that it has been endorsed for use. Any modification after approval should be reported in writing.

Not Endorsed

If the equipment is not endorsed, a report outlining why the equipment was not approved will be presented to the person/company who presented the equipment for evaluation and approval.

If the equipment is resubmitted for endorsement then documentation must be provided outlining the changes which have been made to amend the problems which were highlighted in the previous evaluation. Equipment must be resubmitted under the conditions of Step One.

Step Six: Guideline and Procedure Development

If the Safety Equipment is endorsed the Aquatic Facility and/or the National Aquatic Industry Safety Committee should design and develop a Guideline for its use, maintenance, storages and servicing including any manufacture specific details in accordance with Design and Development of Guidelines.

Procedure for Modified Equipment

If the safety equipment being submitted is a modification of a previously approved piece of equipment, the person/company submitting the item must provide a report to the Aquatic Facility or National Aquatic Industry Safety Committee. This report must address:

• What modifications have been made to the previously approved item
• Why the modifications were made
• What implications the modifications will have to the Aquatic Industry
• If there is any difference in the cost?
• If there are any amendments to the warranty

Assessment and Inspection of Equipment

All safety equipment should be assessed and inspected on a regular basis to ensure it maintains compliance with its manufacturer guidelines, Australian Standards and does not deteriorate causing an unsafe piece of equipment. Guideline Assessment and Inspection of Assets provides more detail on this.

References

• Standards Australia
• National Aquatic Industry Safety Committee ‘Approved Gear and Equipment List’