Submission to Building Professionals Board re: accreditation of swimming pool certifiers
Submission from: Robert Pearce
The Manager
Building Professionals Board
Thank you for your invitation to make a submission in respect of Swimming Pool Certifiers & in particular in respect of the new E1 Category, which is proposed.
I note at the outset that it is generally accepted that be a large demand for certification of pools and spas across the state in the lead up to 29th April, 2015 and beyond. This is inevitable given the nature of the legislation requirements.
This is an important piece of legislation, to address the problem in particular of child drownings and near deaths in pools and spas. People who undertake the task of certification need to be knowledgeable about the requirements of the Swimming Pool Act and Amendment Act as well as the Regulations and Standards.
They should be able to prove they have undertaken a professionally run and certified course which has the approval of the Board - or similar oversighting body. Further, as with most professions, the Certifiers should have to acquire professional education points on a regular pre determined basis, to ensure they are up to date on all relevant matters.
Further, the Certifiers need to be able to apply the Legislation, regulations and Standards as required, be able to deal with the public in a professional manner, as well as with company personnel, public servants and others and be able to exercise good judgment, as lives may depend upon it. Clearly, these Certifiers have to be responsible, have good communication skills and probably should have some life experience.
Most important also, the Certifier should be available. I believe that the E1 category should therefore be a dedicated category, not to be juggled as a secondary role to a more lucrative one. I say this as I am aware that the Board is considering appointing Builders to this new category, as well as current certifiers and Council Inspectors.
I make the comparison of the E1 category to the situation that evolved several years ago now, when it was determined that Conveyancers did not have to be qualified Solicitors (in NSW). They became specialists to this role, were educated, efficient and cost effective and brought down the cost of conveyancing. This was a success for the customer or client and created a new meaningful role for the conveyancer.
It follows a commercial truth that specialisation of labour leads to greater efficiency.
If Builders were to solely be added, I would further be concerned as there are peaks in the building industry from time to time, leading to a vacuum in the supply of Builders, when the industry is in full swing. Inevitably, this situation will arise again. The commercial reality is when this happens, they will gravitate to the job which will pay the most (building). This is simply human nature.
I believe that the Builders would be better off attending to the restoration work arising from non compliance, as again I believe it would be more lucrative. Quite rightly, they have been disqualified from rectifying the barriers they will have to inspect.
I would also say there should be an umbrella organisation to implement the new legislation and so all meaningful information is shared across the state, not residing with *(say) one council (as has been my experience).
Lastly, I can see that because of the arrangement of reciprocity between states, concerning the qualification of prospective E1 certifiers, Queensland will be able to qualify their own (not being Builders) and we shall not. This will inevitably mean people will graduate via Queensland, if they are not Builders. This does not seem a sensible arrangement.
In short and for the reasons given above, I believe that the role of the new E1 Certifier should be allocated to people who have an interest in pool safety, who have qualified through an accredited training an educational facility, who have no alternate substantial primary job, who will be able to give undivided attention to the role in a qualified, professional manner, being prepared to submit to regular ongoing education.
Yours sincerely,
Robert pearce