LISTEN to our 'Dam Safety Insights' podcast series

Dam Safety Insights is a series of podcasts designed to help declared dam owners, and their consultants, comply with the dam safety laws in NSW.

We are trialling the podcast format and are keen to get your feedback.

Operations and maintenance plans

Episode #1: the importance of operations and maintenance plans

Every declared dam in NSW needs an operations and maintenance plan. Hear why these plans are so important, who needs to write them and when. (10 mins, 45 sec)

Listen to episode #1

A woman and two men wearing headphones, speaking into microphones

Episode #2: dam operating procedures, and procedures and limits for plant and equipment

In this episode, learn about the operating procedures that need to be documented in an operations and maintenance plan and some common non-compliances seen by DSNSW during audits of declared dams. (7 mins, 14 secs)

Listen to episode #2

A woman and two men wearing headphones and speaking into microphones

Episode #3: normal, abnormal and extreme operation loading conditions

What are normal, abnormal and extreme operation loading conditions? And what impact do they have on the procedures in your operations and maintenance plan? Find out in this episode, featuring our Principal Dam Safety Engineer. (3 mins, 43 sec)

Listen to episode #3

A man and a woman wearing headphones, speaking into microphones

Episode #4: alarm triggering in the operations and maintenance plan

Operations and maintenance plans must include the details of each circumstance in which an alarm will be triggered in respect of the dam and what will happen afterwards. Hear about the types of alarms this requirement covers in this short podcast episode. (2 mins, 40 sec)

Listen to episode #4

Episode #5: dam maintenance in the operations and maintenance plan

Dam maintenance is critical. Find out what needs to be included in your operations and maintenance plan about dam maintenance in this short podcast with Dams Safety NSW staff. (5 mins, 22 sec)

Listen to episode #5

Two women and a man wearing headphones, speaking into microphones

Episode #6: public safety procedures and security measures

DSNSW auditors commonly identify gaps in operations and maintenance plans related to public safety procedures and security measures. Listen to our Principal Policy Officer talking about some of the things declared dam owners need to do to be compliant and safe. (4 mins, 21 sec)

Listen to episode #6

Episode # 7: incident reporting

Procedures for incident reporting need to be set out in operations and maintenance plans. In this podcast, Dams Safety NSW’s Compliance Manager talks us through incident reporting requirements and the kinds of incidents that have been reported in the past. (8 mins, 31 sec)

Listen to episode # 7

Two women wearing headphones, speaking into microphones

Emergency exercises

Episode #1: emergency exercises

Emergency exercises help ensure organisations, communities and stakeholders like the NSW SES are well-prepared to respond in the unlikely event of a dam emergency. Learn about the exercises that declared dam owners are required to do, our approach to compliance with this part of the regulation, and where you can get help to plan and deliver an emergency exercise. (7 mins, 3 sec)

Listen to episode #1

Two women wearing headphone speaking into microphones

Asset management

Episode #1: Asset management

What is asset management and how does it relate to a dam safety management system? How can declared dam owners comply with ISO 55001? Hear these and other asset management questions answered in this episode with Dams Safety NSW CEO Chris Salkovic. (10 mins, 51 sec)

Listen to episode #1