Practice Note No. 15 - Water Safety - Division of Local Government ...

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Concern has been expressed by members of the public about single sex change rooms being used by olderchildren of the opposite sex, accompanied by a parent, at public swimming pools. In particular, concern has beenexpressed about older boys and male teenagers, accompanied by their mother, using the women’s change roomwhen girls and young women are present. The reason parents often want to accompany older children while theyare getting changed is to protect them from inappropriate behaviour by other users of the change room.Public swimming pools differ in the change room facilities they provide. The different change roomarrangements are described in Appendix 2, along with options in relation to addressing the use of single sexchange rooms by children of the opposite sex.10. OTHER SAFETY CONSIDERATIONSOther aspects of water safety councils should consider include:Øattention to the design of facilities, the use of appropriate surface materials and regular maintenance.Councils are encouraged to use The Royal Life Saving Society Australia publication, Safety in SwimmingPools – Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation (see Section 11 Further Resources for contact details).Councils are also encouraged to contact the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation and/or theAquatic and Recreation Institute for information and advice in relation to the design of safe poolfacilities (see Section 11 Further Resources for contact details)Øprovision of shade protection. Councils are encouraged to use the NSW Cancer Council publication,Under cover. Guidelines for shade planning and design (see Section 11 Further Resources for contactdetails). As well as providing general information about planning, designing and constructing shadeprotection, the guidelines provide recommendations and considerations for shade provision at a rangeof specific sites including public swimming pools and beachesØØa clear and practised procedure for dealing with emergencies, including emergency signals andevacuation plans. For further information about this, it is suggested that councils contact the Aquaticand Recreation Institute or The Royal Life Saving Society Australia in the case of swimming pools;and the Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association, The Royal Life Saving Society Australiaor Surf Life Saving NSW in relation to beaches (see Section 11 Further Resources for contact details)effective strategies for ensuring that young children are adequately supervised at public swimmingpools. Advice provided by the Anti-discrimination Board indicates that preventing entry to childrennot accompanied by an adult constitutes discrimination in access to facilities based on age under theAnti-discrimination Act. While the Act provides for exemptions, a strong case of special need wouldhave to be established. Councils should consider implementing alternative strategies such as an entryfee structure that encourages family groups and that reflects the cost to council of more diligentsupervision of young children, and taking strong action in respect of any person who fails to complywith standards for safe behaviour at the pool.Practice Note 15: Water Safety13
11. FURTHER RESOURCESAquatic and Recreation Institute18 Box RoadTAREN POINT NSW 2229Phone: (02) 9542 7255Fax: (02) 9542 7563Email: soldout_events@bigpond.com.auAustralian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association (APOLA)PO Box 3512WAMBERAL NSW 2260Phone: (02) 4385 5267Fax: (02) 4385 5267APOLA can provide information about the provision of contracted lifeguarding services between councils.Australian Red Cross (NSW)159 Clarence StreetSYDNEY NSW 2000Phone: (02) 9229 4111Fax: (02) 9229 4165Australian Sports CommissionParticipation DivisionPO Box 176BELCONNEN ACT 2616Phone: (02) 6214 1915Fax: (02) 6214 1224Practice Note 15: Water SafetyAUSTSWIM (NSW) Inc.PO Box 2263NORTH PARRAMATTA NSW 1750Phone: (02) 9890 5099Fax: (02) 9890 5199Email: austswim@bigpond.com.auWeb site: www.austswim.nsw.com.auJardine GroupGPO Box 7003SYDNEY NSW 2001Phone: (02) 9320 2770Fax: (02) 9320 279914
Page 1: PRACTICE NOTE NO.15December 1998Wat
Page 4 and 5: 1. INTRODUCTIONThis Practice Note r
Page 6 and 7: Ø Pricing and Costing for Council
Page 8 and 9: 4. A RISK MANAGEMENT APPROACH TO WA
Page 10 and 11: 5.1 Public swimming poolsA number o
Page 12 and 13: 5.2 BeachesIn determining the appro
Page 14 and 15: Øa first aid kit and a first aid r
Page 18 and 19: National Heart Foundation (NSW)Leve
Page 20 and 21: APPENDIX 1REGULATORY ACTIVITIESPowe
Page 22 and 23: APPENDIX 2CHANGE ROOM OPTIONSSwimmi
Page 24: Øpool staff to be available to acc

Practice Note No. 15 - Water Safety - Division of Local Government ...

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