David Eager

Professor of Risk Management and Injury Prevention, University of Technology Sydney

David Eager is an internationally recognised expert on the safety aspects of trampolines and playgrounds, play surfaces, and sports and recreation equipment. He is the Professor for Risk Management and Injury Prevention at UTS. He is a Fellow of Engineers Australia, Chartered Professional Engineer and on the National Professional Engineers Register.

David has a PhD in Engineering (UNSW), 1st Class Honours Degree in Engineering (NSWIT); and a Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution (UTS).

David was the dux of the final year of his undergraduate engineering degree. He worked in the mining, manufacturing and construction industries for more than a decade before entering academe. In 1992 David was awarded an Australian Postgraduate Research Award – Industry and in 1995 joined UTS academic staff. In 2007 he was appointed as an honorary safety advisor with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. In 2009 he was awarded the William Evans Fellowship by the University of Otago, New Zealand.

David completed a fitting and machinist apprenticeship with CSR Ltd; TAFE Electrical Wiring Engineering Course; TAFE Establishing a Small Business; Graduate course in Principles and Practice of Teaching and Learning (UNSW); Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training; and WHS General Construction Induction.

In 2020 David was awarded the Standards Australia National Meritorious Contribution Award for dedicated service in standards development. In acknowledgement of more than 25 years of voluntary service in the play industry he was appointed a Life Member of Play Australia in 2021.

David is the Head of Delegation for Australia on ISO/TC 83 Sports and recreational equipment (since 2012). He is the Co-Convenor (Chair) and the Head of Delegation for Australia on ISO TC/83 WG 8 Playground equipment and surfacing (since 2017). He is the Head of Delegation for Australia on ISO TC/83 WG 4 Computer vision systems for the detection of drowning accidents in swimming pools (since 2015). He is also the Head of Delegation for Australia on ISO TC/83 WG 6 Hazard identification and risk assessment (since 2018) and ISO TC/83 WG 5 Kiteboarding (since 2017). He was the Head of Delegation for Australia on ISO TC/83 WG 3 Summer toboggan rides (2013 to 2016) and TC/83 SC 6 Martial arts (2015 to 2016).

David is the Head of Delegation for Australia on ISO TC/254 Safety of amusement rides and amusement devices (since 2013).

David is the ISO liaison for ISO TC/83 with several Committees including ISO/TC 254, ISO/TC 228 and CEN/TC 136.

He is an invited technical observer on the European Union Technical Committee CEN/TC 136/SC 1 Children’s Playground Equipment and Surfacing (since 2006).

David was the UTS Assistant Student Ombud from January 2013 to December 2021. He is a past Deputy Chair of the Academic Board and a past Head of School (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering) and passed Head of Discipline (Mechanical Engineering).

David was on the Board of Kidsafe NSW (2003-2015).

David was a Green Beret within 1 Commando Regiment in the Australian Army Reserve in the 70s and again in the 80s. He was selected to represent 1 Commando Company on their prestigious Mountbatten Team that went on to win the 1988 Trophy.

As an undergraduate student, David was the driving force behind the formation of the inaugural NSWIT Mountaineering Society in 1979 (survives at the ‘UTS Outdoor Adventure Club’) and served as the founding President of the Society (1979-80). As an academic, he Chaired the Australian Standards Committee SF-047 that was responsible for drafting and publishing the inaugural climbing gym Australian Standard AS 2316 Artificial climbing structures and challenge course equipment. He is currently the drafting leader for Sports and recreation facilities ropes course Standard.

David was a Red Cross Blood Donor for more than 40 years and over that time has happily gave more than 125 donations.

David holds pro-bono positions where he represents Engineers Australia on the following Australian Standards Committees:

Trampoline Park Facilities SF-051 (since 2016, Chairperson 2016 to present);

Children's Playground Equipment and Surfacing CS-005 (since 1998, Chairperson 2008 to 2021);

Amusement Rides and Devices ME-051 (since 1997);

Landborne Inflatable Devices ME-51-02 (since 2003, Chairperson since 2003);

Contained Play Facilities ME-51-03 (since 2005, Chairperson since 2005);

Trampolines CS-100 (since 2000, Chairperson 2000 to 2013);

Sports and Recreational Equipment CS-101 (2006-2007, Chairperson since 2018);

Artificial Climbing Structures and Challenge Course Equipment SF-047 (2003-present, Chairperson 2003 to 2010 and since 2019);

Swimming and spa pools CS-034 (2016-2018);

Greenhouse gas measurement and accounting EV-015 (2000 to 2004);

Acoustic definitions AV-001 (1996 to 2002); and

Acoustics human effects AV-003 (1996 to 2002).

Experience

2013–2021

Assistant Student Ombud, UTS
2009–2020

Member Faculty Board, UTS
2018–2020

Member Human Research Ethics Committee, UTS
2008–2019

Member Academic Board, UTS
2017–2018

Head of School Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, UTS:FEIT
2016–2017

Head of Discipline Mechanical Engineering, UTS:FEIT
2013–2015

Mentor Young Achievers Program, Standards Australia
2014–2014

Member Misconduct Reference Group, UTS: Research and Research Training Committee
2014–2014

Member Deans Selection Committee, UTS
2012–2013

Chair Academic Risk Working Group, Executive Committee, Academic Board, UTS
2011–2013

Member Central Promotions Committee (Level D), University of Sydney
2011–2012

Chair Academic Board Engagement Project Working Group, Executive Committee, Academic Board, UTS
2011–2012

Deputy Chair Academic Board, UTS
1996–2008

Member Faculty Board, UTS:Engineering
2003–2008

Member Student Misconduct Committee, UTS:Engineering
2003–2005

Member Professional Experience Program Committee, UTS:Engineering
1997–2003

Member Academic Board, UTS
1996–2002

Director of Studies Bachelor of Technology Programs, UTS:Engineering
2000–2002

Chair Double Degrees Exam Review Committee, UTS:Engineering
1997–2002

Director Bachelor of Technology in HVAC, UTS:Engineering
1996–2002

Chair Bachelor of Technology Programs Exam Review Committee, UTS:Engineering
1996–2002

Planning Director Bachelor of Technology Programs, UTS:Engineering
1996–2002

Director Bachelor of Technology in Manufacturing, UTS:Engineering
2000–2002

Program Head Double Degrees, UTS:Engineering
1997–2002

Member, Deans Advisory Committee, UTS:Engineering
1998–2000

Chair BE/BBus Exam Review Committee, UTS:Engineering
1999–2000

Manager 2000 Orientation Camp, UTS:Engineering
1998–2000

Director BE/BBus Program, UTS:Engineering
1998–1999

Member Orientation Camp Committee, UTS:Engineering
1996–1998

Chair Bachelor of Technology Restructuring Committee, UTS:Engineering
1997–1998

Member Planning Committee, Bachelor of Business and Technology, UTS:Engineering / UTS:Business
1997–1998

Sub Dean Bachelor of Technology Programs, UTS:Engineering
1996–1998

Chair Bachelor of Technology Industry Advisory Committee, UTS:Engineering
1997–1998

Member Faculty Board, UTS:DAB
1998–1998

Member Market Reference Group, UTS:Engineering
1996–1998

Member Advisory Committee, Master of Design Science (Building Services), Faculty of Architecture, University of Sydney
1997–1998

Planning Director, Bachelor of Business and Technology, UTS:Engineering
1996–1998

Member Department of Architecture and Design Science Board, Faculty of Architecture, University of Sydney
1996–1997

Member Faculty Board, Faculty of Architecture, University of Sydney
1995–1996

Member Outreach Working Party, UTS:Engineering

Professional Memberships

Institution of Engineers Australia
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Australian Acoustical Society