AQUATIC RISK & SAFETY AUDITS 

It has been recognised that many drowning deaths were preventable had the responsible authority undertaken a risk management process of beaches and aquatic environments. Responsible authorities include local councils, developers, national parks and operators that manage or provide services in aquatic environments.

The issues of conducting a safety audit at all areas of aquatic recreation has been widely recognised by Coroners, government at all levels and the Australian Water Safety Council, and is a feature of the National Water Safety Plan.

SLSA have worked alongside Statewide Mutual and Civic Mutual Plus to develop a consistent approach to safety and aquatic auditing processes.

Background

The need for an audit  

“It is my recommendation that all Council Authorities, Department of Environment and Land Management and Marine and Safety Tasmania carry out a safety audit in relation to all public swimming areas under their control and where an area of water is identified as dangerous, appropriate warning signs be erected and maintained.” (Extract from Coroner’s report - Investigation of the Donoghue Case issued by Mr Ian R. Matterson 20 January 1999)

Responsible authorities can use an aquatic safety audit as a regular review process to enable management to establish priority-based safety and signage management systems.

An audit is an excellent planning tool for local government, organisations and private developers who are looking to develop a site, which will improve access to the community, thus increasing usage at that location.

Objectives of an Aquatic Risk and Safety Audit

The primary objective of any audit is to reduce the number and severity of hazards, risks, and the potential injuries at the location.

The results of the audit must be measured against agreed criteria or performance indicators. The objectives of the system of measurement should be:

• to ensure that the standards achieved at any given location conform as closely as possible to the objectives set out in the responsible authority’s safety and signage policies;
• to provide information and resources to enable the assessment of the success of the strategy; and
• to maintain a continuous improvement strategy towards safety and signage.

These objectives can be achieved by setting standards, comparing actual results with targets and, where necessary, taking corrective action.

A well-developed audit system will:

• provide an objective review of the status of aquatic safety and signage management within the responsible authority;
• identify weakness in management or control systems and highlight aspects requiring corrective action;
• recognise success in aquatic safety management, i.e. where the set standard has been achieved or exceeded; and
• evaluate the level of compliance or non-compliance with statutory or other appropriate standards.