About the Forum
The National Water Safety Forum has replaced the National Water Safety Committee (NWSC). The re-organisation of the existing committee was prompted by the Government's review into inland water safety, lead by the Department for Transport. ('Inland Water Safety: Final Report of Scoping Study: Present Roles and Responsibilities: August 2002: www.dft.gov.uk). The review, known as 'Roles and Responsibilities' recognised that responsibility for inland water safety was spread across a number of Government departments and recommended the establishment of an interdepartmental group with links to the NWSC.
Following the Government review, the structure of the NWSC was considered. The Government was keen to see a wider, enhanced, membership of the committee to encourage full involvement by all relevant and interested organisations. It was recognised that to enable the Committee to grow its membership, it would be necessary to reorganise, as currently with so many organisations represented, time for relevant issues to be discussed was at a premium. It was also essential to ensure that links with Government were strengthened. RoSPA provides the secretariat for the Forum with funding from the Department for Transport and the Department of the Environment and Rural Affairs.
The role of the Forum is to be the natural body in which organisations involved in water safety will participate in order to have a strong voice with Government on water safety issues. The Forum is primarily concerned with preventative action and water safety education rather than search and rescue. It advises and comments on legislation but is not directly involved in regulatory or enforcement activity.
The aim of the Forum website is to be an open and accessable source of information for Forum members, water safety professionals and members of the public who are interested. Specically the website will:
- Advise the public and operators about the different areas of water safety
- Promote good practice
- Develop a web-based listing of relevant resources
- Provide links to all members and relevant organisations
The NWSF engenders links with the Maritime Safety Coordinating Committee and the UK Search and Rescue Strategic Committee. Each of these groups works closely with the new inter-departmental Government Group. Here you can view the overall water safety framework. The National Water Safety Forum has allowed greater participation by organisations with an interest in water safety by creating 6 advisory groups; Beach Safety, Inland Water Safety, Sea Safety, Swimming Pool Safety, Water Sports Safety and an Information group. Members of each group meet to discuss issues relevant to their topic and field of expertise and develop policy and guidance. The chair of each advisory group sits on the Coordinating Group, which is the overall steering group of the Forum and provides the link with the Inter-Departmental Government Group. The structure of the National Water Safety Forum can be viewed here.
Water safety issues cut across many Government departments and for the first time a contact group involving departments with water safety interests has been established comprising representatives from the following departments:-
The DfT is responsible for shipping policy and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch is part of DfT, which also sponsors the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The MCA enforces DfT shipping policy. The DfT chairs the UK Strategic Committee for UK Search and Rescue.
Further information is available at www.dft.gov.uk
The DEFRA is responsible for the policy for the inland waterways in the UK. It sponsors the Environment Agency, British Waterways and the Broads Authority and other smaller navigation authorities. It also promotes the 'right to roam' legislation. DEFRA also has a role to play in controlling agricultural water pollution.
Further information is available at www.defra.gov.uk
The DfES is responsible for the policy on swimming as part of the national curriculum. It also publishes advice for teachers and others on pupil safety during school visits and outdoor work. It is the sponsor department for the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority.
Further information is available at www.dfes.gov.uk, www.standards.dfes.gov.uk, www.nc.uk.net/safeswimming and www.teachernet.gov.uk
The DCMS has responsibility for sports policy, although the management and regulation of individual sports, including for safety, rests with the relevant organising bodies.
Further information is available at www.dcms.gov.uk
The DWP sponsors the Health and Safety Commission and Executive, which enforce health and safety legislation affecting employers.
Further information is available at www.dwp.gov.uk and www.hse.gov.uk
The DCLG makes policy for local government, which has powers to regulate aspects of activities on and by inland waters. The DCLG also has responsibility for fire policy and sponsors the fire services who are frequently involved in drowning incidents.
Further information is available at www.communities.gov.uk
The Home Office has responsibility for the police, who co-ordinate rescues on inland waters and are often involved in coastal incidents. The Home Office also have responsibility for the coroners offices.
Further information is available at www.homeoffice.gov.uk
The DoH oversee the Ambulance Service, who like the fire and police services, regularly respond to water incidents and drownings.
Further information is available at www.doh.gov.uk
The Scottish Executive is the devolved Government for Scotland and is responsible for most of the issues of day to day concern to the people of Scotland. The Executive has policies on drinking water quality, reservoir safety, marine and freshwater quality, sewage treatment, conservation and use of water resources and provision of adequate water and sewerage services.
Further information is available at www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Water
The National Assembly for Wales consists of 60 Members elected throughout Wales. The Assembly has delegated many of its powers to the First Minister, who leads the Welsh Assembly Government. The Environment Department probably has the most relevance in relation to water issues.
Further information is available at www.wales.gov.uk/subienvironment
The Department for Transport provides the secretariat for the Inter-Departmental Government Group.
