Conferences, Events & Awards
RoSPA organises conferences and seminars throughout the year, right across the spectrum of health and safety. Ranging from one-day seminars to three-day residential congresses, all our programmes draw together influential figures and experts from their respective fields, with many events receiving government ministerial support. Our Play Safety department also organise Play Quality Awards for sites and site operators. Each year we hold a National Water Safety Congress.
NWSF Water Safety Congress 2009
From Principles to Practice - 9th & 10th November 2009
Visits to beaches, coasts and the countryside are increasing. The warm weather early in the summer prompted a spate of drownings, leading to perennial questions including:
- How acceptable are these risks to participants and to society?
- What responsibly do operators have for what occurs on their site?
- What, if anything, should we be doing to reduce the risk further?
Pressure to cut costs, to provide greater access, to manage conflict and environmental change and, not least, to be seen to respond following a tragic event all demand immediate and real changes. But how do we meet these challenges while striking a fair balance for all?
At the 2008 Congress, we launched the “principles for managing water safety”, establishing a rational, balanced approach to managing water-based risk where the public is concerned. The 2009 Congress built upon these principles, including examples of where they have already been successfully implemented.
Through a range of practical sessions, steered by industry leaders from the UK and abroad, delegates were able to explore and challenge some of the traditional ideas of how public safety is delivered. Keynote speakers shared insights and challenged perceptions regarding landowner liability and approaches to risk management, and offered cutting-edge insights into drowning causation.
Congress also discussed developments by the National Water Safety Forum, including the launch of the WAID database, coastal access, public safety campaigns and the future of the forum and water safety in general in the UK.
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