15.3. Cleaning of Beach and Water Area Guidelines

Some services may include a ‘Contract for Cleaning services’, which includes some responsibilities for maintaining the ‘Patrol Area’. However, all lifeguards are to ensure that the beach and adjoining areas are kept clean and tidy.

Procedures:

• Observation of the general public is the lifeguard’s primary responsibility and should not be neglected in order to conduct beach or water area cleaning duties.
• If cleaning of the ‘Beach & Water Area’ is in need of immediate attendance (i.e. dangerous litter such as a smashed bottle), the Lifeguard is to ensure the area is made as safe as reasonably practicable. If the area cannot be handled by the lifeguard, the hazard should be clearly sectioned off and referred to the Land Manager and/or other appropriate personnel.
  

Marine Pollution Guidelines

This guideline provides information relating to the responsibilities of reporting marine pollution.

Lifeguards can provide a valuable service by identifying and reporting marine pollution.
In addition to the environmental risks associated with marine pollution, there is a potential for risk to the community that includes:

• The health risks associated with potentially poisons substances.
• The potential threat of fire or explosion.
  

Actions On Identifying Marine Pollution:
If marine pollution is identified, lifeguards should firstly ascertain if there is any risk to the community. If so, separate the public from the hazard. Once safety of the public has been assured, the incident should be reported to the appropriate authority, agency or land manager.