Risk Management - LSV Club Support Manual

Because there are risks associated with operating a surf life saving club, both in relation to clubrooms and immediate surrounds, and most importantly, the beach and the waterways patrolled by the club, it is important for all clubs to have both a proactive and reactive Risk Management Plan.

Detailed Risk Management policies, guidelines and resources are available in SLSA’s Club Health & Safety Manual and website.

a) Risk Management Process

The risk management process is a framework for the actions that need to be taken. There are five basic steps that are taken to manage risk; these steps are referred to as the risk management process. It begins with identifying risks, goes on to analyse risks, then the risk is prioritised, a solution is implemented, and finally, the risk is monitored. In manual systems, each step involves a lot of documentation and administration.

(i) Identification of Risks

Clubs should undertake a thorough survey of all activities to identify risk. There are many different types of risks – legal risks, environmental risks, market risks, regulatory risks, and much more. It is important to identify as many of these risk factors as possible.

(ii) Analyse the risk

Once a risk has been identified it needs to be analysed. The scope of the risk must be determined. It is also important to understand the link between the risk and different factors within the club. To determine the severity and seriousness of the risk it is necessary to see how many business functions the risk affects.

(iii) Evaluate the risk

Risks need to be ranked and prioritised. A risk that may cause some inconvenience is rated lowly, risks that can result in catastrophic loss are rated the highest. It is important to rank risks because it allows the organisation to gain a holistic view of the risk exposure.

(iv) Treat the risk

Every risk needs to be eliminated or contained as much as possible (sometimes referred to mitigations). This is done by exploring options with the experts of the field to which the risk belongs.

(v) Monitor and review the risk

Not all risks can be eliminated – some risks are always present. These risks always need to be monitored.

Clubs should aim to avoid high risk activities and where these are pursued, have proactive Risk Management Plans and reactive Risk Management Plans in place. Clubs should minimise risk.

As part of your Risk Management Plan, all avenues of communications with other emergency agencies including the police, ambulance and paramedics should be documented.