Injury Insurance - LSV Club Support Manual

If you have sustained an illness or injury while performing authorised lifesaving activities, Workers Compensation may be payable under the Workers Compensation (Bush Fire, Emergency and Rescue Services) Act 1987.

Workers Compensation is provided by WorkSafe Victoria and can provide financial members with benefits and assistance if a personal injury is sustained that interferes with their paid work life and/or to cover reasonable medical and rehabilitation expenses. This system assists you to recover so that you can return to your volunteering and/or work duties as safely and as soon as possible.

a) Who is entitled to make a claim?

Current financial members (at time of injury) of Life Saving Clubs in Victoria
Life Saving members who sustain an injury or illness while undertaking a genuine, authorised activity as a lifesaver within Australia.
Training and competing must be at organised and approved sessions
Members who compete in events where prize money is paid or professional competitors who compete in events not under the control of Surf Life Saving may need to take separate insurance/workers compensation.

All surf lifesaving activities may need to be verified by proof of entry to competition, patrol roster, volunteer roster, patrol log book, IRB log book, radio log book etc.

b) Procedure – injured member

Immediately notify the supervisor/official on duty and obtain first aid if required. If injury occurs at an event, report the injury to the first aid tent. Your injury will be recorded on a Life Saving Victoria Incident Report Log (IRL).
Complete the Workers Compensation Claim Form which can be found on the LSV website (ideally within 48 hours) and send it to WorkSafe. Ensure all sections are complete and the form is endorsed by an authorised club official.
If the injury has or will result in being away from paid employment for seven days or greater, LSV and WorkSafe must be contacted immediately.
Provide any documents required to assess the claim.
A copy of this form is not required to be sent to LSV, however please retain a copy for your records.
Follow the Return to Surf Duties procedures as outlined in the SLS Policy 2.04 which can also be found on the SLSA website.

If medical treatment is required, approval should be obtained WorkSafe prior to the commencement of treatment (unless the treatment is needed in case of an emergency).

c) Procedure – Club

Ensure the injury is recorded correctly on a LSV Incident Report Log and provide details to appropriate person for entering into the Incident Reporting Log (IRL).
Review the LSV website to ensure your members are using the current workers compensation form.
Assist the injured member with the completion of the Workers Compensation form as required. Making sure that all sections are complete including the Committee member endorsement.
Follow the Return to Surf Duties procedure as outlined in SLSA policy 2.04.

It is important to be aware that there are legal consequences if an individual makes a false or misleading claim. This also applies to witnesses and club officials who endorse or provide information to WorkSafe relating to a Workers Compensation claim. Information provided must be true and correct as providing false or misleading information is punishable by law and prosecution may occur.

d) Insurance Premiums

(i) Worker’s compensation

Volunteers who are active patrolling members of a club are covered free-of-charge under the Victorian Workcover Scheme. Members are covered whilst undertaking training, competition and patrolling activities. Please contact workcover@lsv.com.au for procedures to claim for any loss.

(ii) Personal accident insurance – junior members

An insurance fee for junior members (between the ages of 7 and 15 years of age) is charged on a club’s actual junior membership numbers (as reported in their annual summary return and/or Surfguard member registrations). This covers junior members during training and competition activities. Clubs are invoiced directly by LSV for this insurance.

(iii) Personal accident insurance – volunteers (other than patrolling members)

This insurance covers all volunteers that may assist the club in any form during the year and is included in the same policy as Personal Accident Insurance – Junior Members. Each club is invoiced a fixed amount directly by LSV.