Victorians wanting to take a swim in their own backyard this summer are being warned by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) to check that any tradespeople hired to install pools or fencing are registered.
Executive Director of Regulatory Operations at the VBA, David Brockman said the warning followed reports of tradespeople building pool fences and installing pools without qualifications or appropriate registration.
“In the last two decades, more than 20 young children have drowned in cases where a non-compliant safety barrier has been a factor,” Mr Brockman said.
“These are preventable tragedies,” he said.
“Making sure a registered building practitioner has installed your pool and pool fence is vital for the safety of family and others who use your pool.”
Mr Brockman said the design, construction and installation of new swimming pools, spas and safety barriers in Victoria were subject to strict requirements to maximise safety, including that they be constructed by a builder registered in an appropriate category or class.
The Executive Director said all swimming pools capable of holding more than 300 millimetres of water must have a compliant safety barrier with self-latching and self-closing pool gates to restrict access to the area by young children.
“Compliant safety barriers are extremely important,” he said.
“And never leave things like chairs or tables near safety barriers because young children can climb them and access the pool.
“Everyone has a part to play in pool safety – anyone who owns a pool or spa must maintain safety barriers to prevent unsupervised access,” Mr Brockman said.
Further information on pool and spa safety can be accessed at this PS News link.
