Responsibilities of a PSI

A pool safety inspector (PSI) can:

• inspect a pool and issue a pool safety certificate or non-conformity notice (PDF 116.68KB)
• do minor repairs, e.g. adjusting or replacing a latch or hinges and removing climbable objects 
• erect, repair, replace or adjust a maximum of 5 metres and no more than 6 posts of a pool safety barrier. 

Pool safety inspectors cannot legally perform works valued at more than $3,300 without an appropriate licence and contract.

Issuing a pool safety certificate 

A pool safety inspector must issue a Form 23—pool safety certificate through the swimming pool register on myQBCC on behalf of their client. Learn how to do this  using our help guide:

myQBCC user guide for PSIs—pool register

Issuing a non-conformity notice

If a pool safety inspector determines a pool is non-compliant, they must issue a Form 26—swimming pool non-conformity notice (PDF 116.68KB) , unless either:

• the inspector reinspects the pool within 2 days of the initial inspection and is satisfied the pool now complies
• the owner and pool safety inspector agree that the inspector will carry out minor repairs within 20 business days of the original inspection.

Code of conduct for PSIs

As a pool safety inspector, you have a responsibility to adhere to the Code of conduct for pool safety inspectors (PDF, 924KB) at all times

Purpose of the code

The purpose of the code is to:

• set standards of conduct and professionalism expected from swimming pool safety inspectors in the performance of pool safety inspection functions
• inform the community of the standards of conduct and professionalism expected from inspectors
• provide consumer, regulatory, judicial, employment and professional bodies with a basis for making decisions regarding standards of conduct and professionalism expected from inspectors.

Standards of conduct and professionalism

In undertaking pool safety inspection functions and related functions, an inspector must always:

• perform pool safety inspection functions in the public interest
• maintain satisfactory levels of competence
• comply with legislative requirements
• not perform pool safety inspection functions where there is potential for a conflict of interest, except for carrying out minor repairs prescribed under regulation
• not perform pool safety inspection functions beyond their level of competence or outside their area of expertise
• maintain confidentiality
• abide by professional, moral and ethical standards expected by the community
• take all reasonable steps to obtain all relevant facts
• clearly document reasons for decisions.

Download and read:

Code of conduct for pool safety inspectors (PDF, 924KB)

Conflict of interest

Potential conflicts of interest for pool safety inspectors may include:

• inspecting a pool owned by you
• inspecting a pool owned by somebody with whom you have a personal, professional, commercial or financial relationship
• inspecting a fence you have personally worked on unless the work was prescribed minor repairs
• recommending fencing contractors or inspecting fencing work performed by a business in which you have an interest. It is acceptable to recommend the services of a contractor with whom you don’t have a personal, professional, commercial or financial relationship
• owning, operating or being employed by a business in the swimming pool industry, such as a pool shop or pool maintenance business where your pool inspection functions are not separated from your other business functions.

There is also a potential conflict of interest when a real estate agent or agency employee inspects a barrier for an owner who receives other services from the agency.
 

Continuing professional development

As part of your role, you must continue to update your knowledge of pool safety legislation, regulations, practices and standards.

We measure your activity using a point system and we approve and allocate points for CPD activities such as training courses, workshops and seminars. See our list of approved CPD activities for PSIs.

You must provide evidence that you have accumulated CPD points from the previous year when you renew or restore your licence.

Educational videos for pool safety inspectors

When you’re a pool safety inspector, there are responsibilities that come with the job. 

To avoid making some of the inspection errors that are reported to the QBCC, we have created a series of short, educational videos to help you prepare for any pool inspection.

View on YouTube

Should I worry about asbestos?

If your house was built before 1990 there's a good chance it contains some asbestos. The substance was banned in building products in 1990, but some houses built in the 1990s or early 2000s still used asbestos-containing products until a total ban came into effect in 2003.

Asbestos fibres can be deadly if inhaled as they can cause lung cancer, lung scarring and other lung conditions. Each year more Australians die of asbestos-related diseases than car crashes, so you need to take care when renovating if you suspect your home contains asbestos.

Loose asbestos fibres can be a risk to both tradespeople and people living in the home.

Where is asbestos used?

Asbestos was used in a wide range of products, from floor surfaces to insulation, and can be dangerous if disturbed.
Home owners often think of asbestos sheeting in walls or ceilings, but it can be found in nearly every room of the house, including:

• splashbacks in wet areas
• insulation
• vinyl and carpet underlay
• lining behind floor or wall tiles
• imitation brick cladding, fencing
• sheds
• gutters
• fuse boxes
• joints
• concrete formwork.

You can also use our interactive tool to see where asbestos might be lurking in your home:

Asbestos finder tool

How to identify asbestos

Consult a professional. You can't tell if a material contains asbestos just by looking at it. The only way to know for sure is to test a sample in a lab.

So, before you disturb or remove material that may contain asbestos make sure you get a sample tested.

A licensed remover can do the testing — find a list of licenced removers at Worksafe Queensland.

Working with asbestos

Asbestos fibres can create lung disease if inhaled.

This means it's vital you prevent asbestos fibres from becoming airborne by following safe work procedures if you are working with asbestos. This protects both the tradespeople doing the work and people living in the house.

Asbestos removal licence types

• 'A' Class Licence holders are authorised to remove friable (loose) asbestos. They can also remove non-friable asbestos without holding a 'B' class licence.
• 'B' Class Licence holders can only remove 10m² or more of non-friable asbestos.

Removing less than 10m² of non-friable asbestos

You do not need a licence to remove less than 10m² of non-friable (bonded) asbestos, but you must take safety precautions and dispose of the waste safely.

Disposing of asbestos safely

Asbestos-containing material must be disposed of properly or hefty fines apply. You can't dump asbestos waste in:

• domestic rubbish bins   
• skips     
• council waste collection               
• the bush, on roadsides or in parks.

Check with your local council for their rules on safely disposing asbestos-containing materials.

For more information

Contact Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WPS) for more information on working with asbestos.