15. LGOM 015 – Risk Management Guidelines

Introduction

Surf Life Saving Queensland is an organisation dedicated to the safety, health and wellbeing of its members, employees and the community in general. In meeting its statutory obligations with respect to workplace health and safety, Surf Life Saving sets and maintains the highest possible standards consistent with the importance of its role of saving lives.

The following section contains guidelines to assist lifeguard personnel to ensure a safe environment for both themselves and others whilst participating in surf lifesaving activities. At the end of this section is a list of relevant SLSA and SLSQ policies that can be accessed online.

Lifeguard Uniform / Personal Protective Equipment

Lifeguards must wear the supplied ALS branded uniform. This is considered to be the following:

• Long sleeve U.V. protective collared shirt
• Long leg board short style shorts
• Broad brimmed hat / cap (lifeguards are strongly encouraged to wear the broad brimmed hat)
• Long sleeved rash vest to be worn during all water based activities on any ALS craft unless performing a rescue
• 50 + sunscreen (lifeguards are strongly encouraged to apply sunscreen to all exposed skin)
• U.V. sunglasses (supplied annually to permanents and available to purchase at cost price for casuals)
  

Sun Safety Guidelines

The lifeguard uniform needs to be worn at all times not just to portray a professional image but also to provide sun protection. As lifeguards spend extended periods of time exposed to the sun, sun safety should be an extremely high priority. Lifeguards are to take responsibility for their own sun safety and to contact their lifeguard supervisor as soon as possible if they do not have all the necessary PPE. SLSQ recommend that all Lifeguards get their skin checked by a medical professional at least every twelve months.

If lifeguards require any further sun protective items (including zincs or lotions) these need to be purchased at the lifeguards’ expense.

In additions to PPE lifeguards are supplied with sheltered areas ranging from towers, vehicles to pop up tents. Lifeguards are encouraged (when possible) to spend the peak sun periods of the day in a sheltered area. If lifeguards deem a sheltered area to be inadequate or damaged in any way they are to notify their lifeguard supervisor immediately.

Important Safety Tips To Remember
The seven S’s:

1. SHADE (natural or man-made)
2. SLIP! on a long sleeved shirt
3. SLOP! on Sunscreen
4. SLAP! on a Hat (broad brimmed hats are recommended)
5. SLURP! lots of water
6. SUNGLASSES (to Australian Standards)
7. SUNSHINE (awareness of the time of day, seeking shade in peak sun periods)
   

h2027 – SLSA Sun Safety