All SLS members have a shared duty of care under Australia’s WHS legislation to ensure the health and safety of themselves and others within their surf lifesaving clubs, so much as is reasonably practicable.
Responsibilities of all SLS entities
- Establish and monitor risk management procedures.
- Consult widely on WHS issues and resolve them promptly.
- Investigate surf lifesaving incidents and accidents.
- Implement and maintain the injury reporting system and strategies.
- Maintain a safe work environment with clear safety rules and updates.
- Promote a culture of safety and wellbeing.
- Provide safety training and education.
- Provide access to safety equipment necessary to perform specific activities.
- Support the development of systems for managing critical incidents and stress.
- Support rehabilitation and return-to-duty procedures for injured members.
For more information on the responsibilities of various roles within a surf lifesaving club, refer to the SLSA Club Responsibility Matrix, which is available in the SLS Members Area Document Library.
Responsibilities of all SLS members
- Act responsibly within your limits and with care for yourself and others while promoting a culture of safety and wellbeing.
- Comply with SLS policies at all levels of the organisation.
- Control and provide feedback on hazards identified.
- Follow safety guidelines, SOPs and the safety directions of your patrol captain or club officers.
- Report any injury, illness, near-miss incident or faulty equipment as soon as possible to your patrol captain or relevant club officer.
- Stay informed and up to date with changes within the SLS organisation that impact on your role as a lifesaver.
- Use all equipment safely, correctly and for the job for which it is intended.
SLS members must also participate in annual skills maintenance sessions before 31 December each year (or 31 July in the Northern Territory) to develop and maintain their own expertise, demonstrate they are fit to save a life and maintain SLS award proficiency.