Purpose
To provide an overview of beach safety signage for lifesaving services.
Policy
- All Beach Signage and Flags shall be as per the National Aquatic & Recreational Signage Style Manual (3rd Edition) and Australian/New Zealand Standard 2416.
- All Surf Life Saving personnel shall actively promote the use of signage systems to be compliant with the above when signage is not that of Surf Life Saving.
- Any existing metal mobile beach signage should be replaced through natural attrition with the hard-plastic variety.
- SLS services shall only utilise ‘prohibition’ signage where the appropriate delegated authority has been provided.
Procedure
Signage serves an important part of the overall education program which aims to reduce the number and severity of incidents in the aquatic environment.
Signage systems provide important messages to the public. These messages fall into three categories:
- Information
- Warning
- Prohibition
| Type | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Information | Indicate direction or give general information, location, etc. | Patrolled area to north |
| Warning | Warn the public of a danger, a potentially dangerous situation or a hazardous environment exists. | Swimming not advised |
| Prohibition | Indicate that certain activities are prohibited. | No dogs |
Location
Signage should provide appropriate information at point of entry and reinforces specific messages and information at additional specific sites.
On-Brach (mobile) Signage
Lifesaving services personnel that have direct responsibility for on-beach signage shall ensure that signs and message boards are erected at the appropriate access points and/or hazard locations.
Lifesaving services personnel shall report on the availability & condition of all beach signage through their annual Gear and Equipment Inspections and patrol log book.
Presentation is an important part of the ‘impact’ of on-beach signage.
Safety signage (and flags) shall not have any form of sign-writing or content other than the requirements of ASNZ2416 and SLSA/SLSNSW policies/requirements. All forms of sign-writing/signage, flag-bases and flags must be endorsed by SLSNSW.
Signs should be made of plastic material and any metal signage should be replaced by natural attrition.
Poles should be constructed of a non-hazardous material that limits impact of injury.
Diamond vs Triangle Warning Signs
Lifesaving Services shall use the existing diamond shaped warning symbols/signs. The standard provides both a diamond and triangle option. No lifesaving service shall utilise ‘triangle’ warning symbols.
Mobile (Patrol) Warning/Hazard Signage
The ‘swimming not advised’ sign should be used to warn of strong currents/rips at high-risk locations and access points. The specific ‘strong currents’ hazard sign should generally not be used for mobile warning signage and should rather feature within appropriate permanent access signage (as recommended by an appropriate public coastal risk assessment). However, the ‘swimming not advised’ sign may be displayed with descriptive text relating to the identified hazard leading to the recommendation that swimming is not advised (e.g. strong currents, dangerous rips and dangerous surf).
| |
 |
| Swimming Not Advised | Strong Currents (To be phased out) |
Mobile (Patrol) Prohibiton/Warning Signage
Unless a service has delegated authority and supporting legislation to enforce a prohibition, no mobile prohibition signage (red circle/white background) should be used, but rather warning/advisory signage should be used (yellow diamond).
| |
 |
| Swimming Not Advised | Prohibition Signage (To be phased out) |
Rescue Craft Access Signage
All lifesaving services shall utilise a set of 2 ‘rescue craft access’ signs to demarcate designated launching and beaching areas for powercraft (RWC, IRBs). Signage shall be placed at the water’s edge on either side of the designated area and can be complemented by ‘orange cones’ as deemed necessary.
On particular beaches and/or at particular times of year, it may be prudent to demarcate vehicle access onto/off the beach and/or from the patrol base to the waters edge. Orange cones can be effective in ensuring a ‘path’ is kept clear of patrons and their belongings.
Reference
National Aquatic & Recreational Signage Style Manual (3rd Edition)
Australian/New Zealand Standard 2416:2010.1,2 & 3 – Water Safety Signs and Beach Safety Flags