As a member of an IRB team, you will be required to operate in an inherently risky environment to provide assistance and effect rescues. This environment remains subject to the same work, health and safety obligations that apply to any other place of work. As such, all SLS members have a shared duty of care under Australia’s Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation to ensure the health and safety of themselves and others, as is reasonably practicable.
WHS Act
The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act 2011) law requires that organisations protect the health, safety and welfare of all workers (including volunteers) and other people in the workplace. It defines health to mean both physical and psychological health. The WHS Act 2011 also requires that all people are protected from hazards arising from work, so much as is reasonably practicable. State and territory WHS regulators can impose penalties when organisations or individuals do not comply with this law.
Powercraft Code of Conduct
Download a copy of the Powercraft Code of Conduct
Duty of Care
Australian WHS legislation requires organisations such as SLSA and its entities to offer a duty of care to ensure, so much as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of people who carry out activities in the workplace. More specifically, duty of care responsibilities are outlined in the duty statements.
Currency
It is also important that all IRB Drivers and IRB Crewpersons keep up to date with their State/Territory regulations and any other requirements. Ensuring that you regularly operate an IRB in addition to annual Skills Maintenance sessions will assist an IRB Driver and IRB Crewperson to remain current with the skills required.
IRB Training
When commencing training for an award, it is recommended to start in low-risk surf conditions before building skills and confidence in higher-risk surf conductions. It is important to gain experience in a range of conditions and maintain that experience.