Life Saving Victoria is an organisation dedicated to the safety, health and well-being of its members, employees and the community in general.
Doing what is reasonably practicable to ensure the health and safety of volunteers, staff and the public is a legal requirement set out in the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. This is especially relevant to our members holding a leadership role in the Club. Health and safety is not a separate issue to be managed, but is an integral part of all LSV activities.
It is important to remember that a volunteer officer or those holding leadership roles in the club (for example a member of the club committee) cannot be prosecuted for failing to comply with their officer duties under the WHS Act.
a) Objectives
- To prevent injury or illness to members and employees;
- To provide for the safety of the community in connection with lifesaving operations and when using its facilities;
- To protect lifesaving equipment, property and facilities from loss or damage;
- To provide leadership and guidance to Life Saving Victoria’s affiliated organisations.
b) Resources
There is a range of health and safety resources for Clubs and members involved in surf lifesaving activities. The ‘Guidelines for Safer Surf Clubs’ provides members with detailed information on health and safety matters in surf lifesaving clubs. These guidelines cover procedures, forms and direction on health and safety matters. Several resources accompany this series including an online Health and Safety Training course (Safer Surf Clubs 2013), member information brochure, various awareness posters and stickers which can be accessed via Lifesaving Online/ Member’s portal. Additional WHS information can also be
found under Club and Member Resources/Work Health and Safety on the Members page of the LSV website.
The Australian Coastal Public Safety Guidelines provide a useful resource for Club management on safety and wellbeing in a coastal and beach environment.
A range of policies and procedures for members involved in surf lifesaving activities can be found on the SLS Members Portal. Keep an eye out as policies change and new ones are posted from time to time.
References
LSV OH&S Policy
https://lsv.com.au/wp-content/themes/abomb/pdf/members/policies/LSV_POL_2.3_-_OHandS_Policy.pdf
LSV Sun Safety Policy
https://lsv.com.au/wp-content/themes/abomb/pdf/members/policies/LSV_POL_2.1_-_Sun_Safety_Policy.pdf
LSV Lightning Policy
https://lsv.com.au/wp-content/themes/abomb/pdf/members/policies/LSV_POL_2.2_-_Lightning_Policy.pdf
LSV Rehabilitation Policy
https://lsv.com.au/wp-content/themes/abomb/pdf/members/policies/LSV_POL_2.4_-_Rehabilitation_Policy.pdf
LSV Water Safety Ratio Calculator
https://lsv.com.au/wp-content/themes/abomb/pdf/members/policies/POL_2.5_-_Water_Safety_Ratio_Calculator1.pdf
LSV Water Quality Guidelines
https://lsv.com.au/wp-content/themes/abomb/pdf/members/policies/GL-1.1_-_Water_Quality_Guidelines.pdf
SLSA Guidelines for Safer Surf Clubs
https://www.surflifesaving.com.au/sites/site.test/files/SLSA%20Guidelines%20for%20Safer%20Surf%20Clubs%20v4%20May%202020.pdf
Work, Health and Safety Act 2011 –
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2018C00293
Australian CoastSafe website
www.coastsafe.org.au