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 Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution (UTS).

David was the dux of the final year of his undergraduate 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 made 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.

He has also completed an apprenticeship as a Fitter and Machinist; 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.

David in Head of Delegation for Australia on ISO/TC 83 Sports and Recreational Equipment. 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 has been the Assistant Student Ombud since January 2013. He is a past Deputy Chair of the Academic Board and a past Head of School and Discipline.

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 (current 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 climbing gym 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 has been a Red Cross Blood Donor for 40 years and over that time has happily given more than 125 donations.

David is retained as the technical expert by NATA for the Accreditation and Certification of Playground Inspectors and Impact Attenuation Surfacing Testing Laboratories (since Sep 2004).

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

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

Children's Playground Equipment and Surfacing CS-005 (since 1999, Chairperson since 2008);

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

Contained Play Facilities ME-51-03 (since 2005, Chairperson 2005-2013);

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

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

Artificial Climbing Structures and Challenge Course Equipment SF-047 (since 2003 & Chairperson 2003-2010).