How Safe is Your Beach?
Coastal beaches, while a magnet for living and visiting, also bring with them inherent risk. Tragically, each year more than 60 - 90 lives are lost and many hundreds of people suffer injuries, from minor incidents to serious trauma and permanent disability, in accidents relating to our coast.
Aquatic Risk and Safety Auditing has been developed following an
unprecedented number of drownings in recent years. In review,
it has been recognised that many of these deaths were preventable
had the responsible authority undertaken a risk management
process.
The issues of conducting an Aquatic Risk and Safety Audit at all
areas of aquatic recreation have been widely recognised by
Coroners, Government at all levels and the Australian Water Safety
Council, and is a feature of the National Water Safety Plan.
Surf Life Saving has worked alongside different agencies including
agencies such as Statewide Mutual and Civic Mutual Plus to develop
a consistent approach to safety signage.
The pages under this section are provided to:
- Gain a broader understanding of the issues and options available.
- Demonstrate that a postive outcome can be achieved.
- Give greater awareness and understanding of the resources available to reduce risk and liability.