Signage

Signage as part of the risk management process

Signs have played an important role in risk and safety management of recreational areas and aquatic locations around Australia and the world. Recently, attention has been directed towards improving such signs within our coastal areas, parks and waterways, including developed areas providing access to aquatic environments.

1. Signs are important for three reasons:
   They inform users of dangers, safety issues and other relevant information.
2. They offer some protection from litigation to the land manager and venue operator 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.
3. They provide an economical alternative to that of employing a person to stand at every access track to inform people of potential risks and 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 give a clear and uniform message to users so that they can make informed decisions, knowing the risks associated with particular beaches, waterways, reserves and parks.