The following are examples of common hazards that are a source of potential harm in a lifesaving environment:
Accidents
An accident is an unexpected event that results in or creates the possibility of an injury or damage to property. Both accidents and near-miss incidents give warning that there is something in a work process that needs to be investigated and possibly changed. Failure to do this may lead to the accident recurring or a more serious accident. All accidents and near-miss incidents should be taken into account and reported to the patrol captain and logged appropriately. Accidents outside duty hours using service equipment should also be recorded by an officer.
Fatigue
Fatigue is the state of extreme tiredness. It is a common contributing factor to workplace injuries and tends to be cumulative. Many different physical and/or psychological conditions can cause fatigue, including poor work conditions, anxiety, depression and impaired sleep. Effective treatment for fatigue will depend on its cause. You can manage fatigue using various control measures such as developing healthy sleep habits, eating a healthy diet and doing regular physical activity. Between six to eight hours of quality sleep is recommended in every 24-hour period.
Faulty equipment
Equipment needs to be well maintained so that it is not hazardous. Damaged rescue boards, broken propeller guards on IRB motors and patrol enclosures in disrepair are all examples of hazards. All breakdowns or faulty equipment must be reported and then repaired by a qualified person prior to use.
Hazardous manual tasks
Many manual handling injuries that result from hazardous manual tasks are not caused by a single handling accident, but rather, they build up over a period of time. A hazardous manual task is any task that requires a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain any person, animal or thing. Age, posture, level of fitness, body strength, medical history, workplace environment, poor ergonomic design, as well as one’s attitude to self-safety are all factors that will contribute over time to a person’s risk of injury (especially to their back, hands, arms and feet).
Incorrect storage of equipment
Lifesaving equipment, goods and fuel need to be stored correctly to prevent them from becoming a hazard as well as meeting some legislative requirements, e.g., Australian Standard AS 1940:2017- The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids. Follow your local SOPs, which may be accessed online via the SLS Members Area Document Library. Good judgement should be used when storing equipment, for example:
- fuel and hazardous substances should always be correctly labelled, stored securely away from children and in accordance with directions on the safety data sheet (SDS)
- heavy items should be stored on the bottom, lighter items on the top
- milk crates and boxes should not be used to support the weight of IRBs, or as shelves or ladders
- storage areas should have strong shelves suitable for the equipment that they are holding.
Incorrect use of rescue equipment
Rescue equipment and patrol items should be used only by SLS members and in designated areas. Training areas should be set up with adequate signage and in an area that will not cause harm to the public. SLS members learning new skills such as board paddling or IRB driving must be particularly careful. Wetsuit cords and long hair should be tucked away where possible to ensure that they do not get caught in any equipment.
Organic substances
Organic substances such as food, body fluid, microorganisms, toxins and viruses can present a threat to living organisms, such as humans. The use of PPE such as gloves, masks and safety glasses when providing first aid, resuscitation or preparing food assists in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Any equipment that comes into contact with bodily fluids should be disposed of correctly (e.g., using sharps containers, hazardous waste bags) or washed and disinfected where appropriate. You should also maintain high levels of personal hygiene.
Obstructions
Obstructions can cause harm, with or without direct contact. For example, equipment piled in fire exits or in stairwells may cause a delay in your response to control a fire hazard.
Poor attitude
Actions taken as a result of an individual’s poor attitude and decisions regarding their safety and that of their fellow SLS members is considered a behavioural hazard. You should always follow organisational policies and procedures as well as lead by example to promote a culture of safety first.
Spills and slippery surfaces
A spill such as water, food, oils or powercraft fuel on the floor can be hazardous. Rock surfaces and pool walkways may also be very slippery and hazardous, especially when a quick response is needed. Slips, trips and falls result in thousands of preventable injuries every year.
Surf environment
Working outdoors for long periods of time can subject you to long periods of sun exposure and extremes of temperature (hot or cold). The surf environment also creates a unique blend of hazards in the form of waves, shallow water and sandbanks, rocks, potholes, marine creatures, aquatic equipment, other surfers or swimmers and rip currents.