| Date |
Update |
| Aug |
The Army is to improve training and safety in its cadet force following the death of a teenage cadet on a loch on the Western Isles last year. The fatal accident inquiry follows a report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch. |
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The Department for Communities and Local Government is considering a new process for making byelaws, which reduces the need for central scrutiny regarding 21spefic byelaws, including managing public bathing and open spaces. It also considers moving the enforcement regime towards a fixed penalty notice approach. The consultation exercise closes on the 20th November. |
| July |
Personal Water Craft survey launched. The survey has been distributed to NBSC members, beach operators, harbours, port and navigation authorities and other organisation's that give access or manage personal watercraft users. It has two main objectives: To gather the views and experiences of NBSC members and other groups and to add to the existing evidence base so we can better manage and encourage the safe use of PWC's. |
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The new international standard for water safety signs and beach safety flags has been published. The standard which the RoSPA leisure safety department have helped to develop aims to provide a single, harmonized approach to providing key information to beach users. ISO 20712-1:2008, Water safety signs and beach safety flags – Specifications for water safety signs used in workplaces and public areas, is intended for use by owners and operators of aquatic environments and by manufacturers of signs and equipment. |
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Coroner court reforms in force. Organisations now have a legal duty to respond to reports sent by coroners following an inquest which contains recommendations for action in order to prevent further deaths. Coroners have always been able to issue a report containing recommendation for change but up till now could not require a response from organisation. But now, following revisions to Rule 43 of the Coroners Rules 1984 last month, Organisations will have to send a response to the coroner which contains details of any action it has taken in regards to the recommendations, or any action which it plans on taking. If an Organisation plans to take no action, it will still need to reply to the coroner and explain why no action is being taken. organisation or individuals that receive reports are not under any obligation to act upon the recommendation made to them.
The changes to rule 43 also mean that coroners can now make reports to prevent any other deaths based on the evidence heard at an inquest and not just to prevent similar fatalities to the one inquest was for. Reports and the responses (which must be received within 56 of the day the report is sent) will be shared with bereaved families, so that they are aware of the action being taken and can also be sent to other interested parties who the coroner believes may find the useful, including regulatory bodies. |
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The safety of Fire and Rescue Service crews remains at risk due poor resourcing for water resource capability. The Fire Brigade Union report says that crews still lack basic safety equipment such as lifejackets and waterproof clothing. Lack of funding and the Governments' decision not to include a specific statutory duty upon crew to respond to major flood incidents are key issues the report noted for redress. The report was the Fire Brigade Union response to the summer 2007 floods. |
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Adults who choose to engage in physical activities which obviously give rise to a degree of unavoidable risk may find that they have no means of recompense if the risk materializes so that they are injured. The judgment given by Lord Justice May in the case of Poppleton v Trustees of the Portsmouth Youth Activity Centre. |
| June |
The floods of summer 2007 were some of the worst since record began. 13 people lost their lives and some 55,000 homes and business were flooded. The impact of the June and July 2007 flooding has been undertaken by the Cabinet Office with support from DeFRA and DGLG. Sir Michael Pitt, Chair of the South West Strategic Health Authority led the process looking into emergency response, planning, resilience and the wider social issue in order to inform response to future risk. The final report; Learning Lessons from the 2007 Floods is available online. |
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Review into the safety of Rowing published. Following a request from the Sports Minister, RoSPA were commissioned by Sport England to undertake a review of the water safety arrangements within the sport of rowing. The report presents a list of recommendations that can be taken forward by the ARA and the wider rowing community to improve aspects of safety and risk management. The recommendations have often been championed by the majority, and sometimes all of those that we have spoken to within the sport. |
| May |
In March 2008 the EU Bathing Water Directive will became UK law. Beaches will be focused on levels of two different types of bacteria relating to faecal contamination. Beaches will be awarded an ‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘sufficient’, or ‘poor’. It should provide for better water quality on beaches in the UK and Ireland, and better information for the public about coastal pollution. The Marine Conservation Society has launched a website that provides details on water quality of beaches around the UK. |
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Staying Safe Action Plan. New guidance has been produced by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (now Department for Education) in February 2008 to make it easier for schools to have pupils out of the classroom on school trips. This is part of the 'Staying Safe' Action Plan, and revolves around quality 'badges' that will help teachers to identify places that will provide high quality learning outside of the classroom and are managing safety effectively. The Out and About Guidance will be available in May 2008 and the quality badge September 2008. |
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The RNLI has released provisional lifeboat and lifeguard statistics for 2007. They are looking at 2007 as one of the busiest years for their crews and lifeguards on record, including 7,715 people rescued by lifeboat crews. |
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The draft Marine Bill was published for consultation on April 3. Comments can be made on it until June 26. The Bill will ensure marine and coastal environments have better systems for sustainable development for healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas. It includes providing increased recreational access to the English Coast. Find out more about the Marine Draft Bill at DEFRA’s website. The RoSPA consultation response can be read online. |
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The Royal Yachting Association has revised their guidance on buoyancy aids and lifejackets to make it easier for beginners to make decisions over whether they should be wearing one. Clarity in the guidance comes in the form of guidance that you should ‘wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid unless you are sure you don’t need to’. |
| Feb |
Great Britain will host the Rescue 2010 - World Lifesaving Championships at Fistral Beach in Newquay. It is a great opportunity for the education of water safety throughout the country. They will be held in June/July 2010 following a World Lifesaving Conference. |
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New British Standard for the provision of visits, fieldwork, expeditions, and adventurous activities, outside the United Kingdom. s. It covers planning, managing and evaluating overseas visits, fieldwork, expeditions, and adventurous activities. It provides standardization to ensure the level of risk is acceptable and that the riskiest elements are well managed for the least experienced participants. It is aimed at organisers of overseas holidays for groups or individuals in a varying range of climates and environments. |
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In 2007 nearly 98% of bathing waters in England met the water quality standards required by law, despite the wettest summer since records began. |