MPA support for new UK Drowning Prevention Strategy

Mineral Products Association pledges active support for new nationwide water safety strategy

THE Mineral Products Association (MPA) has stated its commitment to support the new UK Drowning Prevention Strategy which was launched on 29 February 2016 by Robert Goodwill MP, Minister of State for Transport.

Approximately 400 people accidently drown each year, with almost two-thirds of these fatalities occurring in inland waters such as canals and rivers, lakes, quarries and reservoirs.

The new Strategy, published by the National Water Safety Forum, aims to achieve a 50% reduction in drowning incidents by 2026.

The MPA is actively supporting the Strategy and its key themes, which include:

• Increasing the number of children with access to swimming lessons and water safety education
• Encouraging communities to develop and implement local-level water-related risk assessments and plans to reduce the risk of death and harm at key locations
• Promoting and encouraging safe, desired behaviour
• Encouraging non-government bodies (NGBs) and activity organizations to develop and implement risk assessments and plans for water safety and drowning prevention
• Increasing the membership of NGBs and activity organizations and, therefore, increasing participation
• Increasing the sector understanding of water-related suicide and self-harm.

Nigel Jackson, chief executive of the MPA, said: ‘Through the 2016 Stay Safe campaign, the MPA and its members will continue to work collaboratively with other stakeholders, such as the Chief Fire Officers Association, Royal Life Saving Society and RoSPA, to play our part in delivering these goals. Continuing to raise awareness and understanding of the risks associated with swimming in quarry lakes and other similar open water is crucial.’

He added: ‘The MPA is also keen to participate in community water safety forums working on risk mitigation at sites that have been identified as high risk from a public safety perspective.’

A copy of the new Strategy can be dowloaded here.