Surf Life Saving Australia

Manual Handling Guidelines

Lifting and Carrying

Your duties will involve the lifting and carrying of equipment and people. If you do not handle and manoeuvre equipment or people safely, not only could you injure yourself, but you may also damage equipment and cause harm to others around you. Injury can be caused by incorrect lifting or handling of heavy, awkward or large objects. Heavy items should be carried on a trolley or with the assistance of other team members.

Examples of safe handling procedure for SLS Equipment

SLS Equipment Safe Handling Procedures
RWC
  • The RWC is to be winched on and off a trailer and transported on a trailer by a vehicle to and from the beach or a suitable boat ramp.
  • The RWC should be launched off the beach in water to reduce the need for manual handling. Care should be taken not to beach the RWC too high making it difficult to re-launch.
  • When manoeuvring the RWC on the beach such as preparing to launch, consider aids such as a Strong Arm Strap, as per the approved equipment list to assist with providing leverage to move the RWC on the sand.
  • If aids are unavailable, seek assistance from others to help with maneuvering as needed.
Sled
  • The sled is to be carried by one or two people and transported in the back of the towing vehicle if being transported via road or appropriately secured on the RWC if being towed to and from the beach.
  • Sleds typically weigh approximately 12 – 17kgs.
Trailer (unladen)
  • An unladen RWC trailer should be moved with a vehicle wherever possible.
  • If an unladen trailer needs to be manoeuvred it should only be pushed or pulled over short distances on flat smooth surfaces with the jockey wheel lowered.
Trailer (fully laden)
  • A fully laden RWC trailer should be moved with a vehicle for both beach and boat ramp launch and retrieval.
  • Due to the size and weight, you should not try to move a fully laden RWC trailer manually.
  • Some situations may require operators to remove the trailer from the tow vehicle when beach launching. Operators should ensure that manoeuvring the trailer is within their limitations.
Fuel Container (20L)
  • Avoid carrying where possible. Where transporting is required, the fuel container should be lifted by one or two people onto a trolley or vehicle. Consider the weight and size of the fuel container and its contents to determine appropriate lifting and transport practices.
  • Where available utilise fuel pumps.
Other Objects such as signs/ poles etc.
  • These items should be transported using safe handling procedures, especially in windy conditions or over uneven terrain. To be lifted by one or two people and transported by a vehicle ensuring they are appropriately secured.

How to Lift

It is important that the environment or area that you are required to lift in is safe. This will depend upon:

  • Where and how equipment is laid out.
  • The storage method of the equipment.
  • The size and weight of mobile equipment.
  • How far you have to carry equipment or goods.
  • The terrain you have to negotiate.

Below is a set of steps that describe how to lift correctly. These steps outline how to lift heavy items on your own or when lifting with two or more people.

  1. Face in the direction in which you intend to lift.
  2. Bend the knees and crouch down, with a straight back.
  3. Balance with a wide base of support and take hold of the object securely.
  4. Keep the load close to the body wherever possible.
  5. One person coordinates the lift and calls ‘ready, one, two, three, lift’ or similar pre-agreed cue.
  6. Brace your stomach muscles and, while keeping your back straight, lift the object using your legs.
  7. A similar process should be followed in reverse to lower the item. Lower the object on the agreed cue, by bending your knees and keeping your back straight.

Patient Handling

Before removing a patient from the RWC you should assess the patient’s condition and weight and seek additional help if necessary.

  • Where possible use a team approach for heavy or unconscious patients, ensuring proper coordination and communication.
  • In the case of an unconscious patient where no assistance is available consider if the patient needs to be moved at all, or if you can wait for further assistance to arrive.
  • When lifting a patient, bend your knees, keep your back straight, and maintain a firm, balanced grip.
  • Minimise the distance you need to move the patient and use aids such as spinal boards or RWC sled where possible.
  • Always prioritise the patient’s safety and comfort while ensuring your own stability.

Rescue Water Craft (and trailer)

  • Coordinate with the team to ensure everyone is aware of their role during launch and retrieval.
  • Use proper lifting techniques when handling the RWC, especially in heavy surf or uneven terrain.
  • Use mechanical assistance where possible such as a jockey wheel or Strong Arm Strap.
  • Where available, use boat ramps, mechanical winches, or trolleys to assist with launching or retrieving the RWC.
  • Be mindful of slippery or unstable surfaces and ensure clear communication to avoid mishaps during the process.
  • Regularly assess environmental conditions (such as waves and tides) to ensure safe and efficient launch or retrieval.

The Safe Work Australia National Code of Practice for Manual Handling states:

For lifting, lowering or carrying loads:

  • some evidence shows that the risk of back injury increases significantly with objects above the range of 16-20 kg, therefore, from the standing position, it is advisable to keep the load below or within this range;
  • as weight increases from 16 kg up to 55 kg, the percentage of healthy adults who can safely lift, lower or carry the weight, decreases. Therefore, more care is required for weights above 16 kg and up to 55 kg in the assessment process. Mechanical assistance and/or team lifting arrangements should be provided to reduce the risk of injury associated with these heavier weights; and
  • generally, no person should be required to lift, lower or carry loads above 55 kg, unless mechanical assistance or team lifting arrangements are provided to lower the risk of injury.