Profile of Aquatic Risk Safety and Management Organisation
For an electronic copy of the National Aquatic and Recreational Signage Style Manual click here (PDF 3.18mb).
a. Overview
Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is Australia's peak aquatic
safety and rescue authority. The organisation was formed in
1907 and has grown to encompass over 300 individual surf lifesaving
clubs and 130,000 volunteer members in every state and the Northern
Territory.
Surf Life Saving Australia has significantly broadened its focus
from the red and yellow flags on popular beaches to include
helicopter and jet rescue boat services; an advanced computer and
radio communications network; a comprehensive database of
Australian beaches; a school and community education curriculum;
and, a professional sports marketing subsidiary.
SLSA's mission statement is `To provide a safe beach and aquatic
environment throughout Australia'.
Aquatic Risk & 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 has 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.
SLSA has worked alongside different agencies including Statewide
Mutual and Civic Mutual Plus to develop a consistent approach to
safety signage. The Working Group has provided input into the
Best Practice Manual for signage as remote supervision.
b. Surf Life Saving South Australia Inc.
Surf Life Saving functions have been delivered in South
Australia since the mid 1920's, however it was not until 1952 that
a direct affiliation of South Australian Clubs was made to the
National body, Surf Life Saving Australia.
Since that day Surf Life Saving SA has grown into an organisation
that has more than 5,500 members and consists of eighteen (18)
fully affiliated clubs with two (2) Lifesaver Jet Rescue Boats, 4
RWC's (Jet Skis), the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter and a
major radio communications network.
SLSSA provides lifesaving and education services, aquatic safety
and signage consultation and audits, contract lifeguard services,
emergency response plans for aquatic activities, training courses,
leadership and management courses and education programs at varying
levels plus much more.
c. Background: Aquatic Risk and Safety Audits
The need:
Normally the need for an audit of any description is established
by the management of the organisation identifying that its
performance or operations are deficient in some aspects, is in need
of review for compliance purposes or that the management systems
require an independent review. Therefore the threat to operational
effectiveness from disruptive influences, the continual disruptive
effect of injuries, enquiries and even litigation have convinced
management of the need for an evaluation of their systems.
In some instances a significant event has clearly indicated the
risk of personal or corporate prosecution.
Outcomes of litigation against authorities have highlighted the
need for an audit; a drowning has drawn criticism upon an
organisation or a change to the environment has prompted a need to
review previous findings. The following recommendation from the
Coroner came from such an event.
"It is my recommendation that all Council Authorities,
Department of Environment and Land Management and Marine and Safety
Tasmania carry out a safety audit in relation to all public
swimming areas under their control and where an area of water is
identified as dangerous, appropriate warning signs be erected and
maintained."
(Extract from Coroner report - Investigation of
the Donoghue Case issued by Mr Ian R. Matterson 20 January
1999)
Responsible authorities can use an aquatic risk and safety audit as
a regular review process to enable management to establish
priority-based safety and signage management systems.
An audit is an excellent planning tool for local government,
organisations and private developers who are looking to develop a
site, which will provide safer access and recreation to the
community, thus increasing usage at that location.
d. Objectives of an Aquatic Risk and Safety Consultation
The focus of any audit or inspection should be positive. An
audit should not become an exercise in fault finding or blaming
people. The primary objective of any audit is to reduce the number
and severity of hazards, risks, and the potential injuries at the
location.
The results of the audit must be measured against agreed criteria
or performance indicators. The objectives of the system of
measurement should be:
a) To ensure that the standards achieved at any
given location conform as closely as possible to the objectives set
out in the responsible authority's safety and signage policies or
recognised Best Practice or Australian Standards;
b) To provide information and resources to enable
the assessment of the success of the strategy; and
c) To maintain a continuous improvement strategy
towards safety and signage.
These objectives can be achieved by setting standards, comparing
actual results with targets and, where necessary, taking corrective
action.
A well-developed audit system will:
a) Provide an objective review of the status of
aquatic safety and signage management within the responsible
authority;
b) Identify opportunities for improvement in
management or control systems and highlight aspects requiring
corrective action;
c) Recognise success in aquatic safety
management, i.e. where the set standard has been achieved or
exceeded; and
d) Evaluate the level of compliance or
non-compliance with statutory or other appropriate standards.
e. Aquatic Risk and Safety Consultation Process Steps
The following steps are considered appropriate for the conduct
of an audit.
a) Establish the scope of the Aquatic Risk and
Safety Audit.
b) Determine the standard to which the audit will
be compared.
c) Develop the audit format and select the audit
team if appropriate.
d) Prepare for the Aquatic Risk and Safety Audit
and advise the responsible authority of the prospective
dates.
e) Conduct the Aquatic Risk and Safety
Audit.
f) Review the significant findings with the
appropriate representative from the responsible authority.
g) Prepare the Aquatic Risk and Safety Audit
report.
h) Follow up planning activities.
Signs
Introduction
Signs have played an important role in risk and safety
management of recreational areas and aquatic locations around
Australia and the world. Recently more attention has been directed
towards improving such signs within our coastal areas, parks and
waterways, including developed areas providing access to aquatic
environments.
Signs are important for three reasons:
- It informs users of dangers, safety issues and other relevant information,
- It offers some protection to the land manager and venue operator from litigation because of the duty of care owed by the land manager to warn users of hazards they may be exposed to, prohibitions for the area and other relevant safety information
- It provides an economical alternative to that of employing a person to stand at every access track into the reserve to inform people of dangers.
Over many years, land managers and venue operators have
introduced signs that have taken many different shapes, sizes, and
colours. Symbols, wording, and sign location have differed
greatly.
For the purpose of the Aquatic Safety and Risk Management
Inspections undertaken, the information provided is designed to
give a clear guide to land managers and venue operators of a best
practice sign system that uses existing standards and risk
management principles for aquatic and recreational signs.
Such a system is designed to best protect land managers and venue
operators from litigation and more importantly to give a clear and
uniform message to users so that they can make informed decisions
knowing the risk associated with particular reserves and
parks.
Style guide information and design, as referred to, has been
developed and trialled in consultation with various authorities,
including Insurance agencies, Boating industry representatives,
Emergency Services and both local and state government bodies
within Victoria.
For more information contact Surf Life Saving SA (08) 8354 6900