BACKGROUND
Royal Life Saving Society - Australia have maintained and developed the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation (the GSPO) since 1992.
The GSPO is the recognised national industry standard that describes and makes recommendations as to the appropriate minimum standards of safety that should be attached to the design, ownership and operations of aquatic facilities thereby providing a recognised standard of care in a particular area of design and/or operations.
Amongst many other provisions, the GSPO has provided recommendations on what level of training and qualifications staff working in key roles at aquatic facilities, such as lifeguards, swimming and water safety teachers and others should hold in order to provide a safe aquatic environment to stakeholders owed a duty of care, such as pool patrons, staff, contractor and visitors, among others.
Management of aquatic facilities are generally responsible under State / Territory Work Health Safety regulations for ensuring the currency and documentation of staff, contractor and volunteer qualifications and training specific to an individual aquatic facility.
It should be noted that there are various national sporting associations, industry accreditation bodies and governing frameworks. These Guidelines attempt to layout the frameworks for which Royal Life Saving Society – Australia and the National Aquatic Industry Safety Framework has responsibility and can be used as a guide by aquatic industry employers to inform their safety management systems and processes. Accrediting bodies and their processes are ever shifting and changing. Employers should checking with relevant bodies and associations for current requirements at regular intervals.
Accredited training should only be provided by Registered Training Organisations using recognised nationally accredited vocational competencies, as defined in the sport, fitness and recreation sectors. To find an organisation authorised to deliver aquatic industry qualifications visit www.training.gov.au and enter the current skill set or unit of competency codes to look for providers delivering the current endorsed training packages.
